Reading Time: 4 minutes When Jeff realized the tractor was slipping, the drill was already stuck, deep, and his first impulse was to curse. Loudly and profanely. His second impulse was to wonder if there was any way he could possibly keep his family from finding out. “You can’t take the drill out tomorrow,” Jeff’s father Dale had said […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Counting the days to get into the field
On the farm, it isn’t so much when spring first comes, as when it stops going away
Hanson Acres: All dressed up, and someplace to go
The first fine day of a Canadian spring can only mean one thing
Reading Time: 5 minutes Donna was sorry to hear about her aunt Evelyn’s death. “Even when she had to live in that nursing home, Aunt Evelyn always had something good to say,” Donna said to her mother over the phone. “She had a lot of lemons to make lemonade with,” Donna’s mother said. “But remember, she was 93. We […] Read more
Saskatchewan budget seen as costly touch for farms
Reading Time: 2 minutes Saskatchewan’s general farm organization is consulting its farmer members on less-discussed features of last month’s provincial budget, while warning them to brace for impact from new budget-related costs. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan last Monday wrapped up its latest round of spring district meetings, at all six of which APAS general manager Duane Haave […] Read more
Hanson Acres: All down the generations
“Sometimes,” said Ed, “an old man has to just sit back and pretend not to mind what happens.”
Reading Time: 5 minutes Jeff was boiling water for tea while Elaine sorted out the last of the papers, still warm from the printer. Jeff’s parents, Dale and Donna, had just walked over from their house across the yard and were settling into chairs around the dining room table. Six-year-old Connor shouted out from his bedroom. “Mommy, I’m thirsty.” […] Read more
Hanson Acres: A thump in the night
Most times, the rural countryside lives up to its peaceful old stereotypes
Reading Time: 5 minutes “Late winter storms are always the worst,” Jeff told Elaine over the phone. “It’s warm enough to melt, but cold enough to freeze. Makes the roads icy. And the snow is really pouring down.” “We’ll be fine,” Elaine said. “Really, it’s not that I want to stay here,” Jeff said, for the third time. Elaine […] Read more
Rebate roundup for Eastern Canada
A quick glimpse at programs and opportunities available to growers for 2017
Reading Time: 6 minutes With the planting season just weeks away, we’re putting together a “Rebate Roundup” for eastern Canadian growers with our overview of the rebates offered by industry. Some of the companies contacted for our new annual “Rebate Roundup” feature say they don’t offer rebates — they prefer to stick to simple prices. Other farm input suppliers […] Read more
Hanson Acres: This year, it’s going to be different
The calendar makes the rules, even when that load of durum is late
Reading Time: 5 minutes It was cold enough that the machinery had to work extra hard and a thin layer of frost had formed on Jeff’s eyelashes. He hated working after dark. “Could be worse,” he thought. “I could be Phil, hauling grain here to be cleaned on a Sunday night.” Once Phil drove off and Jeff had the […] Read more
Hanson Acres: When it’s -39 C, and no one else is home
Frostbite isn’t the only danger Jeff faces. It may not even be the worst
Reading Time: 5 minutes By the time Elaine got to the third item on her list, Jeff was wishing he hadn’t answered when she phoned. Or, at least, he shouldn’t have admitted he was bored. “You’re right,” she’d agreed. “It’s way too cold to work outside. But there’re a few things you could do in the house.” Elaine had […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Signed up for a full January
It’s supposed to be a vacation, isn’t it?
Reading Time: 5 minutes “I think you need more sunscreen,” Dale told his wife, as he stood up and moved his lawn chair aside. “I’m fine,” Donna said, barely looking up from her sudoko puzzle. “No, this desert sun can really bake a person,” Dale insisted. “And that glare off the side of the trailer’s probably making it worse. […] Read more
Hanson Acres: Setting the stage for a rural Christmas
Some traditions can’t be broken, no matter how hard you try
Reading Time: 4 minutes “You sure can sing,” Jeff Hanson told his six-year-old son, Connor. “You’ll be great in the Christmas concert tomorrow. But let me help you down from the workbench before you fall. It’s time to go in for dinner.” Jeff lifted Connor down to the shop floor. “Concert? Tomorrow?” Jeff’s father Dale said. “You know that, […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
