Reading Time: 4 minutes The concept of the Sunday Supper is an old one. The traditional day of church and of rest (although not always so much for women and farmers with livestock), Sundays were a day when cooks would take a little extra time to prepare a meal. And while today most days are go-go-go, especially on the […] Read more
The table and who’s around it
Even though you’re too busy to spend hours in the kitchen, you can still have a great Sunday meal
The right apology
A thoughtful apology can rebuild trust. A poor one just makes matters worse
Reading Time: 5 minutes Although Canadians are known for saying “sorry” even when someone else bumps into us, this is more of a reflex and a nicety than a genuine apology. Unfortunately, when it comes to making real apologies, i.e. the ones that count when it comes to restoring the trust of those we’ve hurt or offended through our […] Read more
Working (and learning) abroad
More young Canadians are looking to gain wider perspectives by working on farms in other countries
Reading Time: 6 minutes Ask almost anyone who has spent time abroad and they’ll tell you it was a life-changing experience. Inevitably, their faces will light up as they talk enthusiastically about how they gained confidence, developed friendships with people from around the world and emerged with a broader perspective. Not surprisingly, this was precisely the reaction I got […] Read more
Farmers, take care of yourself
The truth is that farming is hard on your mental health. So take this advice, and protect yourself
Reading Time: 6 minutes When Stewart Skinner returned to the family farm near Listowel, Ont., after university, he was eager to put what he had learned into practice. Despite careful planning, however, adding a second sow herd in a rented barn did not go well. As hog prices fell and corn prices soared, the operation was losing money, and […] Read more
Get more from conferences
Here’s how to profit more from the time and money you invest in your own training
Reading Time: 5 minutes Long after you have returned from a conference, have you ever stumbled upon your notes, only to realize you never did anything with what you learned? Worse, have you even had to admit that now, because so many months have slipped by and you’ve forgotten so much, you can’t remember why it was that you […] Read more
Study abroad
More young people, including young farmers, are heading overseas to expand the skills they’ll bring back home
Reading Time: 5 minutes Of all the ways a person can prepare for a career, spending time far from the classroom and away from familiar surroundings may actually have the most impact. Lisa Blenkinsop, manager of the Studies Abroad program at the University of Guelph, hears this feedback over and over again from students who have spent time studying […] Read more
Get your nature fix
And make sure the rest of the family does too. Just 15 minutes in nature can cut stress levels
Reading Time: 4 minutes Being surrounded by wide open spaces and nature is undoubtedly one of the benefits of a farming lifestyle. Unfortunately, as farms get bigger, busier and more high-tech, farmers may find they are spending less time enjoying nature. Even worse, as our children spend more time indoors or on screens, they are losing out on the […] Read more
Memories to build on
Capitalize on the summer to create lasting memories for your family. They’re the first step in a healthy succession process
Reading Time: 4 minutes Although a strong work ethic is always a point of pride in agriculture, the farm family also needs to celebrate its successes and to understand why you do all that hard work in the first place. That kind of perspective doesn’t grow by accident. Even so, says Rick Dehod, a provincial farm financial specialist with […] Read more
Networking for introverts
It may always be tough for you to say the first hello, but with these tips and your natural listening skills, you can be a networking pro
Reading Time: 4 minutes Most of us have been there. You find yourself standing awkwardly at the refreshment table at a conference, nodding and smiling as people pass you by. You want to connect with them but you’re not quite sure how to do it. If you’re an introvert, which researchers say is about a third of us, then […] Read more
Meditating on the farm
Work better, sleep better, and bring some calm to your world
Reading Time: 4 minutes With 5,000 acres of crops to seed and harvest, Tamina Miller used to be so anxious, she could only sleep three hours a night. Miller, who farms with her family near Alliance, Alta., was suffering from stress overload. Then seven years ago, Miller started meditating 10 minutes a day, and it changed her life. Before […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
