Verse of the day: May 21

1 Corinthians 1:10

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

God's not deaf

1 Kings 17:21–24

Ever wonder if God has gotten hard of hearing?

I know my kids and grandkids tease me about noticing the inevitable signs of ageing. A minor stumble now and then, a little forgetfulness, a pinch of grumpiness.

Thankfully, my hearing may be one of the last things to wane.

But you need to know, God’s hearing is perfect—and it’s especially tuned to the voice of His children.

Prayer is the act of faith that believes God is not deaf. That He lovingly and graciously hears our voices and attends to the cries of our hearts.

City of GP assessors canvassing neighbourhoods to update tax assessment records

The City of Grande Prairie begins neighbourhood canvassing on May 26, followed by exterior property photos from late June to August. This work ensures property records and tax assessments remain accurate and up to date.

“The neighbourhood canvassing helps us maintain accurate property records, which assists in creating property assessments that reflect market conditions while ensuring fairness and transparency for all residents,” said Scott Smith, Assessment and Taxation Director. “We appreciate the community's cooperation and understanding as we carry out this task.”

County of GP awards operating assistance grants to 64 community groups

The County of Grande Prairie has awarded $227,816 in annual operating assistance and cemetery grants to support 64 non-profit organizations and volunteer groups.

“Our communities thrive because of the dedication and hard work of local volunteers and non-profit groups,” said Reeve Bob Marshall. “This funding is one of the many ways the County supports the organizations that make our region a vibrant and connected place to live.”

Some of the significant grants include:

Canadians believe higher food prices on the way: survey

A spring survey to gauge consumer opinions about food pricing, buying habits and values found affordability the top concern

Whether people throw steaks or hot dogs on the barbecue this summer could reflect how they feel about their food spending.

A new report from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University found increasing anxiety about food affordability compared to last fall.

Benefits of Deferred Grazing on Native Prairie

Deferred grazing, a practice that involves delaying livestock grazing until after key growing seasons, is a valuable strategy for preserving and enhancing native prairie ecosystems. Unlike continuous or early-season grazing, deferred grazing allows native grasses and forbs the opportunity to complete their life cycles, set seed, and recover from previous disturbances. This approach brings a range of environmental, ecological, and even economic benefits that support both sustainable ranching and grassland conservation. 

Industry wrestles with regenerative certification

Canada needs flexible, farmer-driven standards to guide regenerative agriculture, experts say

With producer and policy interest in regenerative agriculture growing across Canada, policymakers and industry leaders are debating how to standardize the concept without undermining its core principles or grassroots appeal.

Questions around standardization and regulation were front and centre during an April 30 webinar hosted by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

Seeding progress well above average in Alberta

Alberta's latest crop report shows seeding of major crops is significantly ahead of historical averages. Manglai, product coordinator with Alberta Financial Services Corporation, who helps compile the report, says seeding is now at 47 per cent, well above the five-year average of 26 per cent and the ten-year average of 29 per cent.

Breaking down the regional analysis, the South region leads with 76 per cent of seeding completed, followed by the Central region at 51 per cent  the Northeast at 37 per cent, the Northwest at 29 per cent, and the Peace region at 27 per cent.

New funding for veterinary care services for Northern and remote communities

The Manitoba government has announced a $1 million partnership to enhance veterinary care services in northern and remote communities, which will include mobile spay and neuter services. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostitsyn emphasized that this funding is a step in the right direction to ensure every animal receives timely and compassionate care.