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Country artist remembers his Sask. farm roots

Country artist remembers his Sask. farm roots

Ryan Sorestad grew up on a grain farm in Buchanan

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Before Ryan Sorestad moved to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue a country music career, he spent his childhood on the family farm in Buchanan, Sask.

He permanently etched this rural upbringing on his arm with a tattoo of wheat.

Each fall, Sorestad returns to South Haven Farms, not only to help with harvest, but to also spend quality time with family and reminisce about the past.

“I’ve tried to learn how to be a better family member as the years have gone on,” he told the Canora Courier Sept. 22. “The Sorestad farm is where I learned my love of music, where I saw success and failure, and where I learned that ‘if it ain’t broke and you ain’t bleeding, then get back out there.’”

Unlike the weather in Nashville where the daytime highs haven’t dipped below 20 C all month, temperatures in Saskatchewan have been below 10 C during the day and have fallen below freezing at night.

But the farm appears to have had a decent growing season, he said.

“I haven’t seen wheat this short in a long time, but the heads are still looking pretty full, so that’s a good thing,” he said. “Here’s hoping Mother Nature gives our communities a good window to get it all in the bins.”

Sorestad also shares photos of his trips home on social media, and other musicians have taken notice.

“When I tell people in the music industry what I’m up to during harvest, or they see it on my social media accounts, I get nothing but positive feedback,” he told the Canora Courier. “I’ve even had artists and writers ask if they can come up here to write and get a sense of what goes on."

Ryan Sorestad photo




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California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.