Blog Category: Alberta

Thinking of Hosting an Apprenticeship – Are You a Good Fit?

Posted by Dana Penrice on August 24, 2020

Mentoring the next generation of ranchers and farmers can be extremely rewarding. As an expert in your field with many years of experience running a business, you are in an excellent position to introduce a novice to the many and nuanced aspects of running an agricultural business, from building fence or caring for a sick animal to fixing the farm truck, developing a marketing strategy, designing a label for your products, or making important financial decisions. No one is better qualified to grow a new agrarian than an experienced mentor with many years on the land, yet not every rancher or … Continue reading Thinking of Hosting an Apprenticeship – Are You a Good Fit? →

AUG 23, 2020: ROSE PRAIRIE, BC – Land Social at Whiskey Creek Ranch

Posted by Jolene Swain on August 12, 2020

You’re invited to a socially-distanced Land Social at Whiskey Creek Ranch, a first generation, family-run farm in B.C’.s Peace region that is also home to Hip Peace Produce. If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, join us for the event. We will tour the farm, enjoy local food prepared by Whiskey Creek Ranch, and dive into the steps to building a successful farm on leased land. We’ll learn about how the B.C. Land Matching Program can help you find the perfect piece of land for you to build your dream farm business – or the perfect farmer … Continue reading AUG 23, 2020: ROSE PRAIRIE, BC – Land Social at Whiskey Creek Ranch →

Call for Mentors: Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program

Posted by Dana Penrice on August 10, 2020 2 Comments

We are seeking Host Mentor Farms for the YA Apprenticeship Program in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba We are excited to announce that in 2021, in addition to Alberta, we will be expanding the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program into Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We are actively seeking farms and ranches in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to join our program and grow the next generation of regenerative agriculture practitioners. We are looking for farmers who are dedicated stewards of the land; are skilled and enthusiastic teachers who have a passion for mentoring young and aspiring farmers; and have a farm philosophy that recognizes the connectedness of the … Continue reading Call for Mentors: Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program →

New On-Farm Slaughter Regulations in Alberta Will Help New Farmers

Posted by Dana Penrice on August 02, 2020

For years, small-scale meat producers in Alberta have been calling for scale-appropriate regulations that improved access to slaughter and processing. On July 29, 2020, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen announced big changes to the Meat Inspection Regulation including a new license allowing farmers to slaughter animals and process meat on-site. This Uninspected Slaughter Operation License will enable a livestock farmer to sell a live animal to a customer and the customer can have the animal slaughtered on the farm. The meat from the animal will be uninspected and for the consumption of the customer and the customer’s household only. The … Continue reading New On-Farm Slaughter Regulations in Alberta Will Help New Farmers →

REMOTE JOB: CANADA – Indigenous Climate Action, Director of Operations

Posted by Michalina Hunter on July 30, 2020

Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is looking for someone with passion, who enjoys working on a team, setting precedents, and is committed to true Indigenous Climate Justice to serve as its Director of Operations in a REMOTE full-time position. ICA has no centralized office and all staff and employees work from various locations across the country. About Indigenous Climate Action At ICA we inspire climate action by centering Indigenous nationhood and autonomy as a primary climate solution. ICA provides tools for our communities, promotes sustainable ways of life and uplifts our solutions and voices within the climate crisis. As Indigenous Peoples, we … Continue reading REMOTE JOB: CANADA – Indigenous Climate Action, Director of Operations →

INTERNSHIP: ALBERTA: Indigenous Climate Action, Intersectional Movement Building Research Intern

Posted by Michalina Hunter on July 23, 2020

Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is looking for someone with passion, who enjoys working on a team, conducting research, building connections, and is committed to true Indigenous Climate Justice to serve as its Intersectional Movement Building Research Intern. About Indigenous Climate Action At ICA we inspire climate action by centering Indigenous sovereignty and autonomy as a primary climate solution. ICA provides tools for our communities, promotes sustainable ways of life and uplifts our solutions and voices within the climate crisis. As Indigenous Peoples, we must realize that we are our own experts. Together we support a world with sovereign and thriving … Continue reading INTERNSHIP: ALBERTA: Indigenous Climate Action, Intersectional Movement Building Research Intern →

New Farmer Shout Out: Peace River, AB-Green Acres

Posted by Lilli Klamke on July 17, 2020

Are you looking for producers of fresh and local vegetables in the Peace Country? Here they are! Katharina and John’s market garden is called “Green Acres”. They took on the challenge of producing fresh vegetables like peppers, leafy greens, cucumbers and much more in the oftentimes difficult climate of northern Alberta. They are not certified organic vegetable producers yet but are purposely not using any chemicals on their land and are following organically-oriented ways of vegetable production. Katharina and John Klassen are in their second season of farming a little acreage just outside of Peace River, AB. Each of them … Continue reading New Farmer Shout Out: Peace River, AB-Green Acres →

Farming in Canada: Who else do you have to thank?

Posted by Kyla P on July 14, 2020 7 Comments

The author, Kyla, at the BIPOC farming immersion at Soul Fire Farm. Photo by Quin Buck, @kisewehtawin. On June 18th, Statistics Canada released an infographic thanking Canadian farmers for their role in the Canadian food chain and for helping to get food on the table of millions of Canadians. Amongst the facts about growing fruit and meat production, I couldn’t help but notice the glaring omission of labour and violence that has led us to where we are in the narrative around the Canadian food chain. Now without a doubt, if you ate today you can thank a farmer. But … Continue reading Farming in Canada: Who else do you have to thank? →

Alberta Land Link Workshop 2020

Posted by Alex on July 13, 2020

This online workshop will bring together landowners and new farmers in Alberta to explore the land-linking process, learn about different land agreement options and get tools to find the farmer or farmland for you! Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Time: 6:30–8:00pm Format: Online webinar by video conference & teleconference. Details to be provided upon registration. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qJAvEeYtSGG0vqsky-6ndQ Questions? Contact Alex at centralalberta@youngagrarians.org Made possible with support from

Spotlight on Akesi Farms & Fungi Akuafo in Sundre, AB

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 30, 2020 3 Comments

Kwesi and Meghan of Akesi Farms are mentoring Phil (left) as their intern this year through the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program. Meghan Vesey and Kwesi Haizel operate Akesi Farms, a diversified ecological farm that currently hosts chickens, geese, bees, and annual and perennial gardens. They farm in a very cold climate, and demonstrate the abundance that can be produced in a short season! They also welcome many visitors to their farm in the summer, involving them in whatever projects are happening at that time, and giving them a taste of the farming life. Meghan also operates Fungi Akuafo with Tara … Continue reading Spotlight on Akesi Farms & Fungi Akuafo in Sundre, AB →