Enjoying apfelstreuselkuchen 
in a café in Berlin.

In search of apples — anything with apples

This fruit brings back fond memories of growing up on the farm

In Berlin, I left the hotel early one morning in search of coffee and apples. Anything with apples. Wandering the neighbourhood, I found a sunny little bakery on a leafy street near the Brandenburg Gate. It had a tiny sidewalk patio with four tables and a plethora of potted plants. Best of all, a sign […] Read more

Eating well for a happy farm team

Good food can increase productivity, improve efficiency, and keep those workers coming back

In July I had the fun and privilege of joining 30 farm women in a cooking experience at the Kansas City Culinary Center. In teams of six we cooked meals for low-income families and also heard how two farm women, Karmen and Kerri Mehman of MBS Family Farms make 40 freezer meals that feed a […] Read more


See recipe for this Vinegret below.

Searching out my farming roots in Russia

Prairie Palate: Since childhood I had dreamed of this and finally the opportunity came


My farming ancestors came to Canada from Russia in the 1890s and, ever since I was a child, I dreamed of visiting their village on the Dnieper River. That opportunity came in April. Despite the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which is unfolding east of the Dnieper, I made a trek to the little village […] Read more

Greek salad and meatballs

Making a pilgrimage in Greece

Prairie Palate: Wheat was more than a food here but a symbol of life itself

For more than 2,000 years ancient Greeks made a pilgrimage to the temple of Demeter, the goddess of farming. A few weeks ago, I did, too. Today, the temple is in ruins, but it is possible to walk the stone streets, run your hand over ancient walls and contemplate the importance of farming in Greek […] Read more


man and women inspecting a side of pork

All-natural meat producer ahead of the times

Pine View Farms beef, pork, poultry, lamb, specialty meats and eggs are prized by Saskatoon chefs

They were “all natural” before “all natural” was cool. Kevin and Melanie Boldt have been giving conscientious meat consumers locally and naturally raised meat options for almost two decades. The Osler, Saskatchewan farmers have made a conscious commitment to ethically raise pasture-grazed and vegetarian-fed animals in a stress-free environment that does not include the use […] Read more