'The redwood forests have a particular smell — moist, evergreen, woody,” said Harold McGee, adding that the bark on the massive trees tends to be flaky, which may contribute to the aroma.' – Harold McGee, Travel Writer

The scent of a place

Healthy vacations have never been more essential for you, the family and the farm. But where to go? Here’s a great idea: let your sense of smell and a favourite aroma guide you on a trip worth sniffing at!

Reading Time: 7 minutes The woman who sat down across the aisle from me on my train trip from Florence, Italy, to Milan could have been Gina Lollobrigida’s younger sister. But it wasn’t the striking resemblance or her drop-dead elegance that intrigued me, it was the intoxicating fragrance of flowers and spices that wafted from her carry-on bag on […] Read more

Coffee beans grow on a variety of species, both trees and shrubs.

Coffee, from the ground up

When Canada’s farmers get together over coffee, maybe the coffee should do more of the talking

Reading Time: 6 minutes That coffee you grab to start your day represents more — way more — than something to wake you up. As you sip your favourite morning brew, you probably aren’t thinking about what type of beans were used, where they were grown, who farmed them or how they arrived at your breakfast table or drive-through […] Read more


Samsonite makes some of the best suitcases on the market and these two new carry-ons are winners — one hard, and the other, soft-sided. Both are backed by the company’s famous 10-year-warranty, come with two built-in TSA compatible locks, USB port and battery pocket and directional spinner wheels. Outline-pro, the hard side, $375. D’Lite Underseater soft side is small enough to fit under the seat in many planes. $350

PHOTOS: Happy travels

Today’s farm life means more business and pleasure trips, so check out these gift ideas

Reading Time: < 1 minute Santa may be able to set off on an around-the-world trip with nothing more than a few carrots for the reindeer and Rudolph’s glowing nose for guidance, but our travels are a little more complex. Below, we’ve shopped the market in search of great ideas for the travellers in your life, whether they are frequent […] Read more

For a growing number of travellers, using these strategies to give back and make a positive difference for their destination is becoming an essential part of their itinerary.

More than a tourist

Travel is back as an indispensable part of business and life for Canada’s farmers, but it isn’t travel like it used to be

Reading Time: 6 minutes Because this world is the only one we have, can we treat it better as we begin to travel again? As the world reopens, travellers have a unique opportunity to hit reset after this pause and explore the world differently.  “Conscientious travel” — protecting cultures, preserving the environment and supporting local economies — can be […] Read more


Irish National Stud.

Ireland: A horse lover’s dream

The joy of touring Ireland’s farms, including its elite stud farms

Reading Time: 6 minutes For as long as he can remember, my husband has had a love affair with horses. Growing up on a farm in Nova Scotia, he rode a horse before he learned to ride a bicycle, and horses have been part of his life ever since. When we began to plan a vacation to Ireland, it […] Read more

Apple Hill Lavender Farm.

The sweet scent of lavender

You may be surprised at who all is planting Canada’s 500 acres. Could the crop be right for you too?

Reading Time: 7 minutes What’s not to love about lavender? Deliciously perfumed and vibrantly coloured, this member of the mint family has found its way into life — and death — for more than 3,000 years. Egyptians used it in their mummification process. Romans lounged in lavender baths in the days when a pound of the blossoms was so […] Read more


Savvy travel tips

Savvy travel tips

Ready to see the world again after COVID-19? Travel writer Anna Hobbs shares insider advice to make it a great trip

Reading Time: 5 minutes Editor’s note: This article was written for the December 2021 issue of Country Guide. As the COVID-19 situation changes from day-to-day, please refer to the latest information for your area or any area you plan to visit. If you have already returned to travel, you know travel has changed. It requires more preparation, more paperwork, […] Read more

Climate-friendly and planet-friendly diets are gaining substantial traction.

The view everywhere

What’s happening in the world of food, and does it matter? HINT: If you thought consumers were going to drop their pressure on how you farm, think again!

Reading Time: 6 minutes He’s called “Dr. Food” for a reason, Dr. David Hughes is emeritus professor of food marketing at Imperial College London and also visiting professor at the UK’s Royal Agricultural University. In other words, he knows both sides — farm and food — and he knows business too, serving as advisory board member for food companies […] Read more


Saddle up to the tastes of Calgary

Saddle up to the tastes of Calgary

Of course Calgary means great beef. More than that, though, for farmers, it’s a taste of the future

Reading Time: 5 minutes A locally sourced, perfectly aged and superbly cooked Black Angus steak has been the signature item on Calgary restaurant menus for decades. It should come as no surprise. Alberta’s 8,000 beef producers provide half of Canada’s supply. Their five million head outnumber the province’s population, and these animals, renowned for their rich, marbled flavour, thrive […] Read more

Old Montreal.

Bonjour, Montreal

Explore Montreal, use these tips to taste the culture, and discover where Canadian food is going

Reading Time: 7 minutes Finally! Another prospect of visiting Montreal and tasting its culinary riches. Be prepared for a treat made even lovelier because of our time apart and because the food scene manages to balance the past and the present and arrive with the best of all worlds in one city. If you’ll be a first-time visitor, you […] Read more