Harvest time is when ripened crops are gathered, produce is unearthed from the ground, corn is shucked and prepared for consumption. It’s also when farmers get to see the fruits of their labour before reflecting on the seasons — both in terms of how it’s been and what’s to come.
This important period is why on Sept. 20, from 6 to 8:30 a.m., the Calgary Eyeopener is taking its show to Dave and Mary Bishop’s family farm near the village of Barons, Alta., about 130 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
This special edition of the Calgary Eyeopener, called “Home for Harvest,” is a celebration of harvest time.
CBC Radio hosts and producers will hear from various guests to take a deeper look at the history of farming in southern Alberta, what it looks like now, and also how the agricultural landscape will continue to evolve for future generations of farmers.
Harvest time marks “the end of something and the beginning of something else, all woven together with weather you can’t control and equipment you hope doesn’t break down,” according to Josh Pagé, senior producer of the Calgary Eyeopener.
“Each fall, the end result is something you can touch with your hands in the field and see in the grocery store on the shelves.”
Pagé says the show’s team is looking forward to spending time near Barons, “learning about its people, the land and how everything comes together this time of year.”
The show will explore a variety of topics, featuring interviews on grain growing, what issues the agriculture industry faces today, and a discussion on how food reaches grocery store shelves from the farm.
Listeners can tune in to 99.1 FM in Calgary and the CBC Listen app, or watch it live on cbc.ca/calgary or the CBC Alberta YouTube channel.