Turtle Lake
I think I must have changed my career plans half a dozen times after high school, but finally settled on a teaching degree. While finishing my undergrad, I put my education degree to work…at Alberta Agriculture.
I moved from Alberta Ag’s Rural Development division – working on programs to support producers through drought and to encourage grasshopper control – to working as a web editor on the department’s website, Ropin’ the Web. During that time, I finished my undergrad, and then completed a grad degree in professional communications from Royal Roads University.
Meanwhile, rural Saskatchewan was calling to me, so eventually I moved back to my home community. I freelanced and worked as a substitute teacher for a few years, then started working as a field editor for Grainews and Country Guide. I eventually took the helm of Canadian Cattlemen magazine, a real career highlight. I also led the excellent teams at Country Guide and GrowPro magazines. During this time, I wrote and published two novels.
After several years as a full-time ag journalist, I shifted into ranching and part-time contract work, with more focus on writing books.
The Sask. Farm Writers Association and CFWF remain important to me professionally and personally, and I’m pleased to remain an active member.
