Local Stories

01 Why Local Stories Matter Every community has stories that never make the news. They live in conversations at the farmers market, in the history of a family farm,... → 02 The People Behind Alberta's Food A carrot on a grocery shelf looks simple. So does a loaf of bread, a carton of eggs or a package of beef. By... → 03 What a Farmers Market Gives a Community A farmers market is obviously a place to buy food. Spend enough Saturday mornings at one, though, and it becomes clear that buying vegetables... → 04 Why Small Town Main Streets Still Matter Main Street is sometimes treated as an image from the past: a hardware store, café, bank, post office and a few familiar faces. But... → 05 The Farm Stand: One of the Simplest Local Markets A table, a sign, a cash box and vegetables picked nearby. The farm stand may be one of the simplest forms of commerce still... → 06 Generations on the Land On some Alberta farms, a field has been known by the same family for generations. They know where water sits after spring melt, where... → 07 New Farmers and a New Generation of Agriculture The image of a new farmer is changing. Some grew up on the land and are taking over family operations. Others arrive through marriage,... → 08 The Return of Knowing Your Farmer For much of human history, knowing who produced at least some of your food was ordinary. Modern food systems made it possible to eat... → 09 Rural Businesses That Keep Communities Moving Some of the most important businesses in rural Alberta are not glamorous. They fix tires, weld broken equipment, haul livestock, supply parts, clean septic... → 10 Why Local Food Traditions Matter Food traditions rarely begin as traditions. They begin because something grows well, stores well, feeds a family, uses what is available or simply tastes... → 11 Harvest Season in Alberta Harvest can look beautiful from the road. Combines moving beneath a wide Alberta sky make excellent photographs. From inside the operation, harvest is also... → 12 What We Lose When a Local Business Closes A closing sign is usually explained in business terms: costs were too high, the owner retired, sales declined or nobody wanted to take over.... → 13 The Value of the Local Repair Shop We live in an economy that makes replacing things remarkably easy. The local repair shop represents a different question: can this be made useful... → 14 Community Halls and the Infrastructure of Belonging A rural community hall can look like an ordinary building when it is empty. Put people inside it and its purpose becomes clearer. Weddings,... → 15 Volunteers: The Quiet Workforce of Rural Alberta Many community events look effortless from the audience. Chairs are set out. Food appears. The rink is ready. The fundraiser happens. The market opens.... → 16 Why Agricultural Fairs Still Matter Agricultural fairs can look like entertainment: animals, exhibits, food, competitions and families spending a day together. Underneath that is something older. Fairs are places... → 17 Buying Local as an Economic Relationship Buying local is often described as though money placed in a local till magically stays within a few kilometres forever. Real economies are more... → 18 How Local Businesses Collaborate Instead of Compete Two businesses can compete for customers and still help one another succeed. In small communities, that is often not a contradiction. It is practical.... → 19 Keeping Local Knowledge Alive Some knowledge is written in manuals. Some lives in people's hands. It is knowing how a particular piece of equipment sounds before it fails,... → 20 What Makes a Community Resilient? A resilient community is not one where nothing goes wrong. Droughts happen. Businesses close. People move away. Prices change. Emergencies arrive without asking permission.... →