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
Saskatchewan budget seen as costly touch for farms
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
Hanson Acres: Setting the holiday table
Maybe home really is where the ham is
Reading Time: 4 minutes Helen was excited about her trip to Calgary to spend Thanksgiving with her children and their families. “Four days. Long time,” her partner Ed said. “Are you sure you won’t come with me?” she asked. “Harvest.” Ed was still having difficulty talking after his stroke. When he could, he used one-word answers. “I know,” Helen […] Read more
Hanson Acres: When life happens all around you
That’s when you somehow end up getting in everybody’s way
Reading Time: 5 minutes Harvest was generally going well at the Hanson farm. The weather was holding up, the equipment wasn’t breaking down, the yields and quality coming off were a little better than they’d hoped, and Dale had settled into his role as a trucker. Dale was happy. Until Thursday. It wasn’t even lunchtime when things started to […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
