Apiarists Simon and Dan Lalonde have seen a lot of changes in the bee industry since their father, Tony, began the beekeeping operation near Clavet, Sask., in 1979. Tony and his sons gradually grew the business and today they run approximately 45,00 hives. As well as selling honey in bulk, their company, Tony Lalonde Sales, […] Read more
Beekeepers co-operating with farmers
Top Saskatchewan apiarists talk about farmers, bee habitat and neonic bans
Metal artist influenced by nature
Bill Keen says sculptured trees are now his signature work
Bill Keen is an artist, sculptor and craftsman. The Moose Jaw-area resident has been creating one-of-a-kind metal wall hangings for 46 years, and each piece is unique, original and inspired by his love of nature. “Sculptured trees have become my signature work,” he says. “The elements of nature can affect the design of our surroundings. […] Read more
Mother and daughter both use bison for their cottage industries
Whether it’s tallow for soap or fibre for yarn, bison are a handy, nearby source
One of Barb Janzen’s enjoyable summer activities is roaming the quiet countryside foraging for wild rose petals, wild chamomile, sage, yarrow and mint to use in her homemade soap. Janzen, her husband Don, and his brother Larry raise bison near Glenbush, Saskatchewan, and having now retired from a long nursing career, she is eager to […] Read more
Finding their niche
Starting out with seven acres the McBains now process 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of garlic a year
In 1996, as a farm diversification project, Krista and Dave McBain planted seven acres of garlic on their grain farm near White Fox, Saskatchewan. Today their company, M & M Garlic is one of the largest garlic processors in the province, processing between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds a year. “We were looking for a commodity […] Read more
Photographer focuses on ‘ordinary’ pioneer women
Thelma Pepper wanted to highlight their strength and resourcefulness
Last May, Saskatoon photographer Thelma Pepper was one of six recipients of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. The award recognizes the achievements and contributions of the province’s outstanding citizens, and at 98, Pepper is the oldest recipient in the award’s history. Pepper’s black and white photographs, taken with a Rolleiflex camera, often feature the ‘ordinary’ […] Read more
Meet your farming neighbours: The Wagar family
This is the story of Craig and Janine Wagar and their farm near Rosetown
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more […] Read more
Meet your farming neighbours: The Wasmuths
This is the story of Neil and Misty Wasmuth, and Misty’s parents, Wade and Linda
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more […] Read more
Creating dried grass and flower arrangements
These are inexpensive and long lasting whether you grow your own or harvest wild ones
Ornamental dried grasses and flower arrangements can add a natural touch to your home décor, and they are inexpensive to make, low maintenance and long lasting. Many wild grass and flower species are beautiful and simple to harvest, but make sure the foliage and flowers you’re harvesting aren’t poisonous or on the endangered species list. […] Read more
Saskatchewan woman explores the province
Aim was to visit cities, towns, hamlets and ghost towns
Ruth Bitner has two large road maps of Saskatchewan attached to a bulletin board in her home. One is covered in pins — 961 of them, to be exact — each marking a city, town, village or hamlet she has visited. The other map has only about 60 pins — the communities she has yet to visit. […] Read more
Slow Food National Summit to focus on eating locally
Four-day event (April 19-22) will offer food-related workshops, tours and tastings to the public
Slow Food Saskatoon will be hosting the Slow Food in Canada National Summit April 19 to 22. The summit, held annually, invites the public along with food communities from across Canada to participate in a variety of food-related workshops, tours and tastings. This year’s event will highlight what Saskatchewan has to offer in terms of eating locally, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
