Build strength to prevent hand pain

Build strength to prevent hand pain

Fit to Farm: Pain in the hands is a common problem — but don’t write it off as normal

Many hand issues actually originate in the tissues higher up in the arm. To keep our hands functioning well, we need to care for our shoulders and neck too.

How to get started on the succession road

How to get started on the succession road

If you’ve resolved to start transitioning the farm, consider these insights

The skills that farmers require to successfully navigate the retirement and transition process are not necessarily the same skills that built the business.


Granddaughter Emily and her new husband, AJ, pose with Christopher for a family photo following their wedding on a lovely September afternoon.

Great gathering for granddaughter’s wedding

Rancher's Diary: Firewood pile is ready for the winter ahead

September 7 Last week we moved some big bales in our upper stack that was leaning over into the bushes toward the creek. We stacked them on the end of the smaller stack, reconfigured the black plastic covering and put deer mesh around them to keep the deer out. Emily’s wedding was Friday — marrying […] Read more

It was sort of a happy accident that the manhole creating access to waterline connections had to be dug a bit deeper. It provides more room for working. The manhole casing is a 40" diameter culvert, about 14 feet long.

Well manhole is comfortable for work

Dug a little deeper than planned, and also outfitted with a cover

Who would have ever thought that finding a big rock in a hole being dug would prove to be helpful? A neighbour was helping us to put in the manhole access for our water well when the backhoe hit the big rock. The manhole is a place big enough for someone to get into to […] Read more



A juvenile male Anna’s hummingbird investigating a geranium for nectar. Mature male hummingbirds can be aggressive and try to keep others away from a feeder station, even if there’s plenty to go around.

Marvelling at hummingbirds

Singing Gardener: Their aerobatic antics can provide hours of enjoyment

Are you being gentle with yourself? Life has a way of slowly taking us off course from time to time. Often there are so many things to do, so many pressing commitments and responsibilities to family and others, that we don’t take care of ourselves. Another great challenge is the health of our planet, Mother […] Read more


The first foal of the year, a beautiful filly.

Joseph celebrates birthday, foaling begins

Eppich News: Fortunately, a bit of rain as seeding gets underway

The last couple of weeks of April were quite busy. Gregory and John started working on the cultivators to get them ready for fieldwork. On April 24 John worked the home quarter in order to prepare it for seeding, and from there both seeding outfits were in the field nearly every day for over a […] Read more

The farmer’s fun factor is a choice. Talk about your play options. Then get out and do them!

Froese: Not having enough fun in your life?

Here are some tips to help farm men dial up the fun factor

Some farm men are experiencing a serious lack of fun, and this can start to influence the business, family harmony and all aspects of life. Finding your own fun and setting time aside for it is a choice. You can do it. I distinctly remember where we were on a gravel road when my farming […] Read more


As brush and old buildings were cleared for new fencing and more pasture, it was necessary to pull this old 1960 Ford tractor out of the way. It had been parked near the old tack-room for nearly 35 years.

Cold temps slow fencing and yard cleanup

There were a few antique treasures in the old sheds, and also some junk

February 21 This past week has been bitterly cold. On Valentine’s Day we had a snowstorm and nasty wind. We decided to move the big bulls to the main corral sooner than planned since they refused to drink the water coming through their pen. It’s murky and probably bad-tasting after the waterway was rechannelled through […] Read more

The Eppich Quarter Horses had a good Christmas morning as well as the hay was rolled out.

Definitely a cold, snowy start to winter

Eppich News: Blowing snow made it a challenge to feed the cows

December was cold and windy. It was too cold for little Ian to be out at all, and Joseph and James were not allowed to be outside for very long. Usually they got bundled up and then played a little bit on their walk over to Grandma’s house. They had fun but were quite sad […] Read more