Rural Roots Canada

Snow and more snow. An active weather pattern this week brings significant snow to the partially buried prairies

Snow and more snow. An active weather pattern this week brings significant snow to the partially buried prairies

Snow and more snow. An active weather pattern this week brings significant snow to the partially buried prairies

Snow and more snow. An active weather pattern this week brings significant snow to the partially buried prairies

Alberta's dairy farmers are turning generosity into action, with Alberta Milk partnering with the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation to support kids and families across the province. Their holiday campaign, which runs until the end of December, is part of Alberta Milk's annual partnership with the foundation. Funds raised will help ensure children throughout Alberta have access to specialized care and support when they need it most.

As the ag sector sprints toward the end of 2025, there’s no shortage of energy, innovation, and conversation shaping the year ahead. In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast—powered by Alberta Canola—host Tim Parent and RRC’s Craig Lester recap some of the highlights from Grow Canada in Calgary, where industry leaders gathered to discuss Canada’s role in global agriculture and how to unlock the sector’s full potential. Plus, hear insights from MP John Barlow at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference, and find out how you can have your say at Alberta Canola’s upcoming grower engagement meetings.

Canada's largest food rescue organization is turning farm surplus into food for families in need and is looking to build relationships with Alberta potato growers. Second Harvest, a national nonprofit focused on reducing food waste, works directly with farmers, manufacturers, and processors to redirect perfectly edible food that might otherwise be tossed away. 

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, Craig Lester sits down with fellow 2023 Nuffield Scholar Claire Taylor, a Scottish agricultural journalist now based in Australia. Fresh off a global Nuffield journey that took her to 16 countries, Claire shares her insights on agricultural policy, food security, curiosity-driven learning, and why the pressures facing farmers today demand better leadership, stronger mental health support, and more global connection. The pair reflect on their first meetings at the Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference, overcoming imposter syndrome, learning from farmers around the world, and the value of listening deeply. Claire also shares the origin story of Unstoppable World, her new global initiative focused on mental wellness, leadership, and immersive international learning experiences. It's a rich, candid conversation about resilience, perspective, and the shared challenges that connect agriculture across continents.

Alberta's Perry Family Farm has been named the 2025 Farmer of the Year award at PepsiCo's first-ever Global Farmer Awards. The Perry Family Farm was recognized for its leadership in regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable food production. 

The first week of December will bring everything from snow to chinooks on the prairies, and cold weather for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The first week of December will bring everything from snow to chinooks on the prairies, and cold weather for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The first week of December will bring everything from snow to chinooks on the prairies, and cold weather for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The first week of December will bring everything from snow to chinooks on the prairies, and cold weather for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The first week of December will bring everything from snow to chinooks on the prairies, and cold weather for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

It's common to see a lot hay, grain, cattle and farm equipment amongst other things being transported at this time of year. Taking the time to properly secure loads such as bales, grain or farm equipment is critical to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. AgSafe Executive Director Jody Wacowich says the consequences could be bad if the loads aren't secured properly.

Seventy 4-H members from across Canada are heading to Calgary for five days packed with career workshops, mentorship circles and practical life skills training.  The 93rd annual 4-H Canada Members Forum will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4. It brings together youth aged 15 to 21 from all provinces for programming focused on preparing them for life beyond 4-H. 

On this special edition of the RRC podcast, Craig Lester joins Tim Parent from the Advancing Women in Agriculture East conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The conference empowers and promotes the importance of women in Canada's agriculture sector. Craig has a conversation with Lauren Van Ewyk, CEO of the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, about blending the balance of work and life into your day-to-day (1:50). Craig also has a conversation with a trio of future leaders in the ag sector and their goals as they begin their agricultural career journey (5:14). Rural Roots Canada is also a proud sponsor of the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference.

Only a few days until the weather changes, bringing colder weather, and much needed snow to the southern prairie provinces. Until then, it remains seasonably warm and dry.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, brought to you by Alberta Canola, Craig Lester and Tim Parent are talking potatoes. Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, put ‘em in a stew, the versatile potato was in the spotlight at the annual Potato Growers of Alberta conference. Potatoes had a spud-tacular growing season according to Chair Allison Davie who joins the conversation (3:07), while Tony Kirkland, vice-chair and owner of Sandhills Seed Potatoes, talks about the strong potato market (4:15). We also catch up with Emily Owen from Second Harvest, who’s helping ensure potatoes make their way from fields to families in need across multiple provinces (7:52). And to top it all off, we spoke with Chris and Harold Perry, PepsiCo’s Global Farmers of the Year, about what it takes to stand out on the world stage (12:20).

With the crop nicely tucked away in the bin, it's the time of year when checks become regular. AgSafe Alberta's Jody Wacowich says staying on top of safety while climbing on the bin is important.