Category Archives: Uncategorized

    The place we know the least about is often the place we live. The hidden gems are as much the people as the places. At the end of this year’s Westlock County tour, July 20, Dennis Mueller said to … Continue reading →

     We were discussing conservation farming methods for hoe farmers with Jessy and Mangangu, out in Mpongwe, Zambia. That’s all fine, Mangangu says, “but we don’t want to keep these people small scale farmers all their life. The goal is … Continue reading →

July 8, 2011: A day after William and Kate visited Slave Lake, Alberta, and seven and a half weeks after a devastating fire destroyed 400 homes of the 7000 people town, Robert and I volunteered a day there to help … Continue reading →

July 5, 2011:  “Welcome home!” Yes, it’s good to be home, although ‘home’ is a broad concept for us. We’ve learned to be home wherever we are. Our farm house northwest of Westlock, Alberta is still our main base though. … Continue reading →

June 27, 2011: One last bike ride before we leave Switzerland tomorrow morning. I set out early – it’s going to be another hot day. They’re forecasting over 30 degrees Celsius. Farmers are pleased. That’s good harvest weather. The first … Continue reading →

     Thomas Buchmann turns the radio on, opens the door and calls out a cheerful greeting. 1500 sets of bright pink eyes and long ears perk up. The boss is here. The radio is important, he tells us, so the … Continue reading →

June 14, 2011:  Yesterday 65 cows held Open House at the Morgenacker farm in Benken, Switzerland . -Because really, that’s who most everyone went to see, not the co-owners Rublin, Schurter and Räss. And what a house it is – … Continue reading →

     A respectable Canadian farm has a large green lawn out front. The Swiss farmer has an apple orchard. And the Italian farmer along the Cote d’Azur has an olive grove.  Pietro, who runs the bed and breakfast we found … Continue reading →

     I’m shivering in an old stone farmhouse in southern France, in my warmest sweater. The warm dry weather finally broke just before the long weekend – Ascension Day is a holiday for most of Europe. I’m sure all farmers … Continue reading →

    In traditional African culture, you are nobody outside of the community. Your survival depends on being part of the group. We in the West pride ourselves in our individuality. “I think, therefore I am.” In reality, it should be: … Continue reading →