Imagine waking at dawn to rolling pastures bordered by a patchwork of gardens and orchards. The mist rises off a puddle as a flock of sheep grazes peacefully on the hillside, and hens cluck their morning chorus. This idyllic scene – apple trees in bloom, a weathered barn in the distance – is what many dream of when they think “hobby farm.” In Alberta’s wide-open spaces, even a few acres can bloom into a vibrant little farmstead, offering fresh food, fresh air and a slower pace of life. ...

Canadian farmers face new and expanded policies in 2026. Alberta has frozen its industrial carbon price at $95/tonne (no increase to $110 as federally planned), easing cost pressure on fuel and fertilizer.   The federal government is also revising clean-fuel rules: a new Biofuel Production Incentive ($372–370 million through 2026–27) will subsidize domestic biodiesel/renewable diesel and safeguard canola demand. Proposed changes to Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations may require greater...

Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar energy generation with active farming, is gaining momentum in Alberta as producers seek new ways to boost revenue and improve land efficiency. Instead of choosing between food production and clean power, agrivoltaic systems enable both to coexist on the same acre. Panels are elevated or spaced so that crops, forages or livestock can continue to thrive below. This approach turns solar development into a partnership with agriculture rather than a...