Rural Roots Canada RRC soundbites

Farm schools are on the rise.
The latest kindergarten to Grade 9 school to adopt an agricultural-based curriculum and environment is in southeast Alberta. We'll talk to the principal and a student from the Rolling Hills Agricultural Academy soon. 
Rolling Hills, Alberta, located about two and half hours southeast of Calgary, is the latest school to adopt a hands-on learning agriculture-based curriculum.
Principal Mike Flieger says it is important that the school be reflective of the community.
This feature is brought to you by the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation.

There was a time not long ago when agriculture technology wasn’t a big thing, but that’s since changed.

"A decade ago, farming and ag tech wasn't a cool thing," observes John Hartnett, Founder and CEO of SVG Ventures. "Today, it's the cool thing because it matters—it's meaningful for people, families, and the future."

It’s why SVG launched its flagship agri-food initiative called Thrive. The program brings agri-food tech entrepreneurs to the forefront.

At its most recent Thrive Agri-Food Academy IV Demo Day in Calgary, the winner of the Judge's Award went to Calgary Health Laboratories, or Cohlab, an animal care start-up providing diagnostic care and animal health solutions. The People's Choice award went to Advanced Agriscience, a Canadian synthetic biology & public benefit company specializing in the development of biologicals for agriculture protection and enhancement.

Alberta is in for a difficult growing season as the risk of severe drought increases with each passing day.

The province relies on melting snow and precipitation for much of its water. With a lacklustre winter in the rearview mirror and a dry spring ahead, water management areas have already been impacted by a shortage of water. 

"It will be a rough situation this year," says Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, Director of the Simpson Centre for Food and Agriculture Policy at the University of Calgary. "We already know the forecast is quite depressing."

Lhermie notes this severe drought is mostly limited to Alberta. Other large production areas like Europe and the United States, which contribute to the local food supply, will not be affected by what's happening here. That said, the drought can potentially cause some disruption in the global markets.

This feature brought to you by CABEF.

To read more go to ruralrootscanada.com.

Dealing with conflict on the farm.

Disagreements and conflict on the farm are unavoidable; it's going to happen eventually.

The difference between whether people move forward or the issue festers lies in how it is dealt with.

Beverly Beuermann-King is a workplace culture and resiliency expert and has seen first-hand the importance of having healthy relationships.

In this feature, she shares from her experience growing up on a dairy farm and what she has learned since.

To read the full feature go to ruralrootscanada.com.

This feature is brought to you by the Blue Book, Alberta's Crop Protection Guide.

The 2024 Women in Ag Awards shone a light on outstanding female leaders in the agriculture sector during a ceremony held alongside the AWC West 2024 conference.

Among this year's winners was Charlotte Wasylik of Chatsworth Farm in Vermilion, Alberta. Wasylik was awarded the Rising Star award, given to a young leader under 40 who demonstrates a passion for the agriculture industry, shows exceptional promise, and advocates for agriculture.

“It was such a thrilling moment to get the phone call," says Wasilyk, who expressed her gratitude for the win. "That AFSC is doing this to recognize women in agriculture, it's really important and very much appreciated."

This feature is powered by the Blue Book, Alberta's Crop Protection Guide.

Confrontational to collaborative.

The conversation around clubroot between farmers and rural municipalities in Alberta has evolved since it was declared a pest under the province's Agricultural Pests Act (APA) in April of 2007. 

Aaron Van Beers is the President of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen and Manager of Ag Services for Leduc County. 

He says originally it was strictly a zero tolerance policy.

Read the full story at ruralrootscanada.com.

This feature is powered by the Blue Book, Alberta's Crop Protection Guide.