Mike and Amanda and their children Silas and Laurel hope to move to his parents’ acreage soon.

Natural products business flourishing

Goal was to create quality products containing no harmful chemicals

When Mike Zimmer launched his line of natural body care products in 2010, he had already spent several years researching, testing, and fine tuning his salves, soaps, and deodorants. His goal was to create quality products that actually worked, and did not contain harmful chemicals that might jeopardize people’s health or wreak havoc with the […] Read more

I want to take steps now to make sure my husband stays healthy — both physically and mentally.


I worry about my farmer’s stress

Nurse Loves Farmer: Measures need to be taken to preserve health and decrease stress levels on the farm

In the fall of 2006 when I was still dating my farmer, I’ll never forget the day we were lounging in his basement bedroom listening to music in the house he rented from in Edmonton. This house was a mere three-block stroll to the University of Alberta, where he was finishing up his crop sciences […] Read more


Thread the needle.

Twisting to help relieve discomfort

Spinal twists can be beneficial for both spine and digestive health

With the winter holiday season coming up, we’ll be bombarded with gatherings, food, drinks, and cold weather — great for socializing — brutal for our bodies. Luckily, there are certain movements that can help with the usual bloating and general feelings of fullness and lethargy that can result. Spinal twists are amazing moves for spine […] Read more

Beef stroganoff

Beef stroganoff history — a mix of fact and fancy

Prairie Palate: Many think it’s a Hungarian dish but it actually originated in Russia

For some time I have been under the erroneous assumption that beef stroganoff is a Hungarian dish. Must be the paprika and sour cream. The fact is, beef stroganoff originated in Russia with nary a dash of paprika. It was originally flavoured with mustard. I learned this culinary fact in September when I visited Russia […] Read more


During the first week in October, Karl Voesenek harvested over 70 slicer-size green tomatoes plus about 15 smaller ones from this exceptionally generous tomato plant. Adjoining plants each bore between 40 to 50 tomatoes.

Meet a tomato-growing farmer

Singing Gardener: Plus, how do you take your garlic?

Seems to me fruits of the vine and apples of the earth are top of the list when it comes to homegrown vegetables among Canadian gardeners, so both share space on this page with a hint of garlic at the end. Had the good fortune to spend a day to remember with gardener and farmer […] Read more

Marriage fitness… building a stronger team

Marriage fitness… building a stronger team

Spend some time this fall and winter to get your partnership in better shape

Some folks are thankful for a phenomenal crop this season, thanks to heaps of snow last winter giving residual moisture during our hot, dry summer. Unfortunately it seems that spouses may spend more attention on crop production than they do to their marriage partnerships, and the cracks are really showing up. I challenge you to […] Read more


Nothing wrong with these apples, but Ted asks the question: Did you experience a problem with apple fly maggots leaving tunnels and brownish mush inside any of your apples this year? Left unchecked this rampant pest can inflict severe damage. Today’s column provides food for thought and control suggestions.

Info on apple maggots and how to deter them

Singing Gardener: Plus, Ted shares more reader requests

Thank you good people for your phone calls, emails, letters. I get them all. A great big hello to Herman Swab from up there at Andrew, Alberta. Herman asks on the phone: “When are you going to write that book?” Yours truly Ted replies: There are a lot of books and magazines about gardening out there, each […] Read more

How healthy are your feet?

There are many causes of curled-up toes and sore flat feet but there are exercises you can do to strengthen foot muscles


Do you have old person feet? Yes, I do actually ask my clients this question, and no I am not implying that all seniors have bad feet. I want to know — are your toes curled up and cramped with probably sore feet, poor balance and dysfunctional arches? A healthy foot has spaces between the […] Read more


Mental health on the farm: understanding stress

Mental health on the farm: understanding stress

According to a 2005 report, almost two-thirds of Canadian farmers are feeling stressed on their farms. One in five farmers describe themselves as being “very stressed” while almost half (45 per cent) describe themselves as being “somewhat stressed.” Stress is all around us. Understanding it and managing it are essential in having healthy minds and […] Read more

Elaine Froese with Dr. David Kohl.

Kohl’s top producer tips in times of economic resets

Here’s some ideas to help become an even better farmer

Minnesota farmer Paul Zimmerman extended a firm handshake and greeting on behalf of his daughter to Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus from Virginia Tech. Zimmerman’s daughter is a likely successor to their farm. She started her mentorship with Dr. Kohl’s insights in Mankato, Minn. years ago when she wrote notes as a high schooler in […] Read more