Rural Roots Canada

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.

FarmFair International is an event which brings together livestock producers from around the world. For some, the livestock competitions have been a family tradition for decades. Jackie Payne from Greenwood Cattle, located near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, says the family has been attending since 1978.

In the latest RRC podcast, harvest has wrapped up, but ag conference season is just getting started. Hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester chat about Craig's upcoming trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario, for the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference, plus his recent stop at Farmfair International in Edmonton. We also hear from Jackie Payne of Greenwood Cattle near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, who shares her family's long-time connection to Farmfair (4:25). And with harvest behind us, there are still some key safety reminders to keep in mind. Jody Wacowich from AgSafe Alberta joins us to talk about staying safe around grain bins (7:37).

A new tool to help farmers, agronomists and crop stakeholders map their crops with greater precision is close to becoming a reality. SwarmBox, an invention of Alberta company Threshold UAV, uses multiple sub-250-gram micro drones to map fields, for things like pests, diseases, soil health, among others. Mac Hunic is the founder of the company, he says using multiple drones to map crops takes things to the next level.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

On this special edition of the RRC podcast, Craig Lester joins Tim Parent from the Agri-Trade Equipment Expo in Red Deer, Alberta. The Expo, now in its 41st year, has been off to a great start and show manager Krissy Fiddler breaks down the successes from the show floor (3:02). Agri-Trade is also the host of the Ag Innovations Competition, showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of manufacturers and marketers of agricultural products and services. Mac Hunik, CEO and founder of Threshold UAV, was one of this year's finalists and discusses his company's unique drone technology (4:54). And with harvest over, RRC meteorologist David Spence talks the Alberta clippers that have been blowing through the Prairies (10:09).

One of Canada's largest ag equipment shows is underway in Red Deer. Agri-Trade, which brings together approximately 32,000 farmers, ag industry reps and stakeholders over the three days, is off to a great start.  Show Manager Krissy Fiddler says they are pleased with how the first day went. 

The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is launching a new event designed to bring together farmers, government officials and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of agriculture in the province. The inaugural BC Agriculture Forum will replace several existing events that the council has hosted in recent years. These include the BC Young Farmers Farm Fest and the BC Agrofood Industry Gala, which ran for more than two decades.

A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza has been detected in a small domestic poultry flock in the Municipal District (MD) of Bonnyville, in northeastern Alberta.  The MD confirmed the detection this week, describing it as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain capable of causing severe illness and high mortality among birds. The risk of HPAI rises during the fall migration season. 

The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) says farmgate milk prices - what farmers are paid for their milk - will rise by 2.3% starting February 1, 2026. While Canada's inflation rate stayed within target through 2024, producers continue to face higher costs, particularly for animal feed and labour. The CDC says the adjustment reflects a balance between keeping dairy affordable for consumers and helping farmers manage rising expenses.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester have a conversation with RRC meteorologist David Spence about all things weather-related. The discussion kicks off about the drought experienced by Alberta this past growing season, and a review of the crop hail report for the summer (5:50). David explains what role the mountains play when it comes to Prairie weather (7:02). The hosts also talk about the harvest weather this year and a look ahead to the winter and spring seasons (9:47). Finally, we're experiencing a La Nina again, the second in two years. David explains the difference between La Niña and El Niño and what it means for the growing season. (12:46) 

Alberta Farmers will gather in Edmonton this January for the Crossroads Crop Conference. This year's theme is "Grow Boldly." It's about encouraging farmers to think bigger and embrace change in an ever-evolving industry.

For the first time since 1999, the Alberta Government is updating the water act - allowing for more flexibility for license holders. Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson says The Bill 7 Water Amendment Act is vital to the irrigation districts, farmers, ranchers and the agri-food processors so they can feed the world.

The agriculture stewardship organizations CleanFarms and the Peace River Regional District are renewing a successful agricultural plastics recycling program. Since 2021, a recycling partnership between Cleanfarms and the PRRD has diverted more than 55 tonnes of used grain bags and baler twine from local landfills.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity says Canadians are feeling more confident about the country's food system — but that confidence remains fragile. In its annual Public Trust Research, the Centre found that nearly half of Canadians, 45 percent, believe the food system is headed in the right direction. That's a 14-point jump from last year and the highest level of confidence in five years.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, Craig Lester joins Tim Parent from Kenya, where the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is hosting its annual world congress. That leads to a discussion between the two about the splintering of media into more niche journalism coverage, including within the agriculture sector (3:16). Craig also shares some insights about agriculture on the African continent (8:33). They wrap up the podcast talking about another country, Mexico, and Canada's push to strengthen agricultural ties between the two nations (14:05).

Canada's four-day agricultural trade mission to Mexico has wrapped up, as the two nations aim to strengthen agricultural ties and expand the market for Canadian agri-food exports.  The trade mission was part of Ottawa's broader plan to build on Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to Mexico, where the two countries launched the Canada-Mexico Action Plan, which aims to strengthen collaboration on food security, trade, and supply chain resilience.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is giving Canada's agriculture industry a little more breathing room to further support ag sector growth. The agency has unveiled several regulatory changes designed to cut red tape and help farmers and producers remain competitive.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester sit down with the newest members of the RRC team — Olivia Taylor and Hayden Lester — for an engaging conversation about agriculture education in Canada. As students deeply passionate about the ag industry, Olivia and Hayden share their insights and first-hand perspectives on what's working, what could be improved, and how the sector can better inspire and attract the next generation of agricultural leaders across the country.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on the weather forecast for the Thanksgiving weekend for Alberta, the BC Peace and parts of Saskatchewan.

Canadian dairy farmers now have a new digital tool designed to make research easier to access and apply. The Canadian Dairy Hub, launched by Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) in partnership with Lactanet and other industry groups, brings together a wide range of practical, science-based resources in one place. 

Canada's canola farmers are getting a boost to their export options with the opening of a new transload facility at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia. Global logistics company DP World has launched its $150 million Canola Oil Transload Facility at its Fraser Surrey terminal, adding one million tonnes of annual export capacity. The facility is designed to speed up and stabilize shipments of Canadian canola oil to global markets. Despite shifting tariffs and volatile trade conditions, canola oil is among Canada's most valuable agricultural exports, generating nearly $6 billion in 2024. Since most canola production is concentrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, efficient rail-to-port connections are critical to getting the product to international markets.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester begin by discussing their recent agricultural excursions to Ontario and Saskatchewan, as part of a project they're working on with CAAIN - the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network. RRC is expanding! The two introduce the two newest members of the RRC team that will help bring the stories of Canadian ag to life (10:15). Tim and Craig talk about a new documentary released by the Canadian Cattle Association called Homes on the Range, which explores how beef production and wildlife habitat go hand-in-hand. We hear from Jenna Sarich, a technical consultant with the CCA, about the doc (11:42). Finally, the return of Peavey Mart in four Alberta towns and how the farm goods provider is looking to reopen more stores, including in Saskatchewan. (15:57).

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report for the Lakeland region of northeast Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report for the BC Peace Region.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report for northeast Alberta and west central Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report for Southern Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares his insight on this week's farm weather report for central Alberta.

Consumers' perception of beef production in Canada appears to be shifting. The Public and Stakeholder Engagement Program at the Canadian Cattle Association asks consumers about their feelings about cattle once a year. Jenna Sarich with the CCA says their most recent survey showed some surprising results.