Reading Time: 3 minutes It seems surprising to meet entrepreneurs who manage millions of dollars and make so many important decisions, but for some reason become very vulnerable when it’s time to express what they want, their limits and their wishes. Why is it so hard to be assertive? “The employee is always late. Sometimes he doesn’t come to […] Read more
Guide HR: Assert yourself, or should you step aside?
Which personality type are you? Passive, assertive, or aggressive?
Be a better farm ambassador
More farmers are developing strategies that actually do connect with consumers
Reading Time: 5 minutes In her other life as a school board trustee, Okanagan Valley chicken farmer Christina Coers sees the value of education. It’s a mindset that she brought with her when she and her husband Steven became chicken farmers under the new-entrant program of the British Columbia chicken-marketing board a year ago. Coers, 46, didn’t grow up […] Read more
Are you in good physical shape?
Farmers are always active and "on the go" but this is no replacement for exercise
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farm work is physically demanding, so it is no surprise that farming has always been synonymous with health and good physical condition. But is that still the case? Peter has no energy anymore. He wakes up exhausted and feels winded at the slightest effort. It seems he always has a backache too. On his wife’s […] Read more
Guide Health: Are you at risk for tuberculosis?
The risk of contracting tuberculosis is small, however, about 1,600 new cases are reported in Canada each year
Reading Time: 3 minutes Often simply called TB, tuberculosis also used to be called “consumption” and you are probably familiar with the symptoms from movies and books. These symptoms include a long-lasting cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, and weakness. In 1926, health reports cited tuberculosis as the cause of one out of every 13 deaths. Historically, it was […] Read more
Living with dementia on the farm
Alzheimer’s is a frightening diagnosis, but these strategies can maximize your control
Reading Time: 4 minutes Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be devastating, especially for farmers who want to stay active on the farm. Even if you’re afraid of bad news, however, it’s important to seek a medical diagnosis as quickly as possible. Memory loss or problems with cognitive function may be caused by treatable conditions, explains Lisa Loiselle, the […] Read more
Guide Health: When does a bloody nose become worrisome?
Trauma to the nose is usually the cause, but certain medications can also make nosebleeds more easily occur
Reading Time: 2 minutes A nosebleed can be both bothersome and alarming, even if you don’t know its technical name is epistaxis. Most people have at least one nosebleed between the ages of three and 30. Children younger than three usually do not have nosebleeds because they do not often experience nasal damage, and older people may have nosebleeds […] Read more
Happiness is good for your business
What are the factors that contribute to being happy, and how can you increase workplace happiness?
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you are thinking, “Happiness and business — that sounds crazy,” you should read this article. Decades ago, happiness seemed quite irrelevant for leaders, entrepreneurs and CEOs. However, in the last 10 years, researchers in positive psychology have determined why industry should care. Happiness leads to success in nearly every life domain, including work performance, […] Read more
Time-saving meals for busy families
We asked chef Tony Mancini how he’d cook for today’s hectic farm lifestyles
Reading Time: 6 minutes Despite all our time-saving technology, we all seem to be busier than ever, cramming ever more things into our days. Farm work, off-farm jobs, kids’ sports, volunteer commitments plus, hopefully, at least a little time for some fun social activities and exercise for ourselves mean it can be a challenge to eat healthily. Don’t despair. […] Read more
Guide Health: Watch your balance while on sleep medications
Benzodiazepines used for sleeplessness and anxiety can make you prone to falling
Reading Time: 3 minutes Benzodiazepines are a large group of drugs that work through the nervous system to reduce anxiety and alleviate sleeplessness. Common members include diazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, temazepam and alzprazolam. First discovered in the 1950s, they were observed to have “taming” effects on several animal species, with the effects in monkeys leading to clinical trials in humans. […] Read more
Are you a good leader on your farm?
Like never before, your farm needs new leadership for a new business environment. Are you getting the job done? Rate yourself on these five key leadership traits
Reading Time: 6 minutes Quick, name five strengths that farmers need in order to get their day’s work done. It’s simple, right? You need technological, financial, production, and mechanical skills, and of course, we should never forget hands-on experience. Now, just as fast, list five leadership skills that farmers need for success into the future… Not so easy, is […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
