A young attendee enjoys the 4-H Council craft table.

Taking the farm to the city

Popular public education event returns to the Forks

Agriculture in the City, an event that bridges the gap between urban consumers and agricultural producers, was back at the Forks this year. On March 18, after a three-year hiatus, a corner of the Forks Market in Winnipeg was transformed into a family-focused, hands-on event that promotes agriculture and educates the public about where their

A growing number of scientists are now studying animals and plants found in our own backyards, reflecting a realization that cities are important ecosystems.

Opinion: City life

Plant and animal species that adapt quickly to city life are more likely to survive

It’s five o’clock on a summer morning in Winnipeg. Our research team is unloading a series of small traps from the trunk of our car, which is parked on a residential road. Using a stick, we slather peanut butter from a huge jar into each trap as bait and quietly sneak into the yards we’ve


(Guest) Editorial: Will the country keep coming to the city?

Earlier this month the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) took place in Toronto, celebrating its 100th year. That’s an incredible achievement. The RAWF shares this achievement with a multitude of agricultural societies throughout Canada, some of whom have been hosting fairs almost as long as Canada has been a country. In Manitoba the only other

Aerial view of farmland, Canada

Rural Canada is in a state of neglect, report says

Federal policy vacuum resulting in erosion of rural communities in Canada

A newly released report paints a bleak picture of rural Canada — a rundown place that is neglected by governments and running out of people, despite its vital role and partnership with urban Canada. The State of Rural Canada 2015, details the multiple and serious challenges facing rural regions including depopulation, aging infrastructure, lack of

Merger saved money, sped up decision-making, says mayor

The voluntary merger that created the Municipality of Shoal Lake 
saves taxpayers $60,000 annually and improved local government efficiency

Don Yanick is getting a lot of calls from municipal officials across the province these days about the hot-button issue of amalgamation. And when asked if it was worth it, the mayor of the Municipality of Shoal Lake points to $60,000 in annual savings and a much more efficient local government. “Right off the top,


Municipal leaders object to forced amalgamation

Moments after the minister of local government made his pitch for forced amalgamation, the majority of 650 rural municipal leaders in his audience rose to their feet to signal their opposition. Ron Lemieux was addressing delegates at the Municipal Officials Seminar, who made clear their unhappiness with the province’s bid to force the merger of

Municipal leaders protest forced amalgamation

Municipal leaders say most Manitobans don’t realize what’s at stake as the province pushes municipalities with fewer than 1,000 residents to amalgamate. “It’s like Bipole III,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “If you ask the average person on the street, ‘What is that?’ they can’t tell you. It’s the same

Municipalities object to amalgamation decree

Association of Manitoba Municipalities head says amalgamation is a complex process that can’t be rushed

The province has told municipalities to get on with amalgamation, rejecting their plea for more time for orderly planning. “It’s an expedited process,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “We’re very concerned that the public is not going to have an opportunity to voice their concern here.” But that argument didn’t


Rural Germany faces steep decline

As farms get larger and land more expensive, young people from small towns are packing up and moving to the big cities in search of career opportunities. With a shrinking tax base, funding for the provision of services dries up, schools are shuttered, shops close, and doctors flee for greener pastures. Sound familiar? It should.