Thelma Pepper is the oldest recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

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

After 40 years what matters most?

After 40 years what matters most?

When you figure that out and what you really want in your life, that will affect your intentional choices

The clouds at 30,000 feet are keeping me company as I write and reflect. My ears hear Celtic tunes of praise while I contemplate the lessons of the last four decades. November 10, 1978 marked the first day of my move to Boissevain to serve farm families with Manitoba Agriculture as an extension home economist. […] Read more


There’s always more to learn

Toban Dyck is all in, learning what he needs to know about farming at full speed

I didn’t think to turn on the bin fans last night. I needed to be told. And when my dad asked what I’d be growing next year, it completely escaped me that fall is when I should make that decision. Jamie and I have been on the farm for six years; land renters for nearly […] Read more

Linda and Wade Parkinson farm about an hour northwest of Saskatoon. 
They are transitioning their farm to their daughter and son-in-law.

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


Jason Craig and his wife Jenn with their two children, Jayden and Jemma.

Meet your farming neighbours: The Craigs

This is the story of Jason Craig and 
his family farm, near Delburne, Alta.

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

Mom, Heather Eppich and son Joseph, saddled up for a ride.

Breeding season begins

With moisture to help the grass, cows and bulls head out to pasture

May turned out to be a warm month. We were lucky enough to get several rainstorms toward the end of May and beginning of June — very happy to get the much-needed moisture. On May 12 our last Bannerlane heifer calved. There was only one foot presented so we put her in the maternity pen […] Read more


Ruth Bitner encourages people to get out and explore Saskatchewan.

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

Robbie and Vickie Ripplinger’s four girls play a huge role in making the farm run smoothly.

Meet your farming neighbours: Vickie and Robbie Ripplinger

Vickie and Robbie Ripplinger are raising 
four girls on their family farm

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, Prairie farmers are […] Read more


Robert Ellis, his wife Kaylie Ellis and their son Rixten live west of Elrose, Saskatchewan.

Meet your farming neighbours: Robert Ellis

Every farm has a story. Here’s the story of one in west-central Saskatchewan

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, Prairie farmers are […] Read more

Emotional agility during harvest

Emotional agility during harvest

This means if you have troubling thoughts or emotions you can still act in a way 
that serves how you most want to live

I love harvest. The golden glow of waving wheat, the meals in the fields, and the joy of everyone on the farm team working hard to “get ’er done!” 2017 is a stressful harvest for the folks suffering from drought, the after-effects of the 2016 delayed harvest, and a myriad of other issues. Regardless of […] Read more