I had the opportunity to join a group of 45 European agriculture journalists on a one-week press tour of the eastern part of Romania. It was one surprise after another. What I knew of Romania consisted of stories of those who took clothing to children’s orphanages, or of the report of corruption and hardship from […] Read more
Romania: One extreme to another
Marianne Stamm took an opportunity to learn about EU agriculture in Romania
At least say hi to me!
Here’s some things that people found helpful and not so helpful after being diagnosed with cancer
When David* was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer and told he had a year at most to live, he and his wife Angie* went through a very difficult time of adjustment. Knowing that their wide circle of friends and large family were there for them meant a lot. Urs Eschbach, a […] Read more
Research, development and discussion
Researchers develop crop protection products, regulators limit use and consumers worry
Syngenta is a household name for farmers so I was quite excited at the opportunity to visit its Crop Protection plant in Stein, AG, Switzerland, this January with the Swiss Farm Writers Association. The Stein plant is the third largest globally and concentrates on research and development of fungicide and insecticide products. Less than three […] Read more
Grasshopper burgers are on the menu
Insect burgers will soon be on sale in Switzerland. But they may not be for everyone
In Sunday school we kids were taught that John the Baptist ate grasshoppers and honey. “How gross,” we thought. We didn’t know that John the Baptist was way ahead of his time. Folks find it repelling when I tell them of the piles of dried caterpillars and grasshoppers for sale at Zambian food markets. Well, […] Read more
New machinery in the mountains
Marianne Stamm visits Switzerland’s bi-annual ag machinery show, AGRAMA
The Swiss Farm machinery and technology show, AGRAMA, is over. My farming neighbours are back home dreaming about that shiny green 200 horsepower Fendt or John Deere tractor with all the newest gadgets. Some will turn the dream into reality. Although I’ve enjoyed operating farm machinery since I was a kid, I’ve never been one […] Read more
Two markets; two attitudes
Letters from Europe: European growers work in a different policy and market environment than Prairie farmers
Recently a Swiss workshop speaker, Ruedi Sutter, commented on the many changes to Swiss agriculture in the last 30 years. It caused me to contemplate the similarity and difference of changes compared to western Canadian farmers. What I see when I visit “home” (Alberta), confirms my research on the web. The January 2016 report from […] Read more
Letter from Europe
Farm Perspectives
Background: Marianne Stamm grew up on a pioneer farm in the Peace country of British Columbia. Marriage to her Swiss husband Robert sent her to a mixed family farm in Switzerland, then back to a grain farm in Westlock, Alberta. She has now moved back to Switzerland to be near the grandchildren. Looking at the […] Read more
Stop putting off that care home visit
Many feel uncomfortable visiting care homes but here’s some tips to keep in mind
Anna* was a farm woman in her late 70s when a major stroke put her in a wheelchair and robbed her of her vocal and written language. Before the stroke Anna was active in her church and community and enjoyed spending time with friends. Her friends don’t come by so often anymore. Anna misses them. […] Read more
Keep a watchful eye for pea leaf weevil
Be ready to scout your fields. This pest is headed north
There’s a new pest heading north in Alberta and it’s eersoving fast. Although a regular in southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, the pea leaf weevil has now been sighted as far north as Athabasca, Alberta. “There’s been a real range expansion,” says Scott Meers, insect management specialist with Alberta Agriculture. “It’s a concerning issue for […] Read more
No GMOs for farmers in Switzerland
After moving from Alberta to Europe, Marianne Stamm finds a different consumer culture
She chops onions, carrots and potatoes, adds them to the sizzling oil in the frying pan. The oil isn’t from genetically modified (GM) canola, and never will be if Monika Wanner, a Swiss farmwoman, has her way. “We have good products in Switzerland,” she says. “We don’t need GMOs.” That growing GMOs is banned in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
