Stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t easy, but avoiding it can make challenges feel far bigger than they really are. Leaning into discomfort, rather than pushing it aside, can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward. At the Advancing Women’s Conference in Calgary, Alta., Kimberly Lyall of Solutionary Leadership encouraged farmers and industry... Read More
Category: Rural communities
Farm succession planning remains one of the most complex and often delayed conversations in agriculture, bringing together business, family, and financial considerations that can be difficult to navigate without the right support. Speaking at the Advancing Women’s Conference in Calgary, Alta., Sandra Macenko Merkley, senior wealth advisor with ScotiaMcLeod, encouraged farm families to take a... Read More
Time is a constant pressure point on cow-calf operations, but where it actually goes — and how well it’s understood — is often less clear. In this episode of Ruminating with RealAg, Brenda Schoepp, mentor and industry veteran, and Kathy Larson, agricultural economist with the University of Saskatchewan join host Amber Bell, to unpack how... Read More
Mental health continues to be a growing focus in agriculture, as farmers face increasing pressure from weather, markets, and the complexities of running multi-generational operations. In Alberta, the Agknow project has taken a closer look at what meaningful, farm-specific mental health support could look like, identifying both gaps and opportunities within the current system. Speaking... Read More
A new digital platform is aiming to bring the farmers’ market experience online, connecting local producers directly with consumers in a more streamlined way. Speaking with RealAgriculture, Whitney Shaw of Arvo explains the idea was born out of frustration with the current patchwork of online marketplaces. “Often for them right now it’s looking on Kijiji,... Read More
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has earmarked $27 million for its Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) over 2 years (2026-2028), including over $13 million in funding for the current 2026–27 program year. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the $27 million in funding this week at the Atlantic Grains Council Cereals and Oilseeds... Read More
When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the first round of nation building projects in late 2025, a new, high-speed rail line linking Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City was high on the list. Called Alto, the proposed high-speed rail corridor is first planned to link Ottawa to Montreal, however during the current 90-day consultation period... Read More
Chris Scheetz, a longtime broadcaster and speaker from Thorsby, Alta., who has been named CCMA’s Personality of the Year five times over the course of his career, closed out the Crossroads Crop Conference in Edmonton, Alta., with a message rooted in small-town values and the enduring strength of the family farm. Speaking with RealAgriculture following... Read More
Running a feed mill wasn’t part of Ian Middleton’s long-term plan, but it has evolved into a viable and locally-focused business in Sturgeon County, Alta. Middleton owns and operates Manawan Mills, a feed mill operation that processes grain into complete livestock feeds for species ranging from poultry to cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The mill... Read More
Peavey Mart has confirmed details surrounding the openings of three new stores in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Assiniboia and Yorkton in Saskatchewan are set to open in March 2026. In Alberta, the Red Deer location is set to reopen in April 2026, once renovations to the Gaetz Avenue storefront are complete. Hiring for all locations is... Read More