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DID YOU KNOW? Pulses contain more antioxidants than blueberries.

How to get your kids interested in the farm life

Pulses: the food of the future

A staple in traditional cuisines across the globe, pulses — which include beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas, among others — are packed with benefits for both people and the planet. Enjoyed in soups, stews, falafel, hum- mus, curries, tacos and more, these tiny powe- rhouses are high in protein, low in fat and loa- ded with vitamins and minerals. What’s more, pulse crops are drought-resistant and have a low carbon footprint, providing a sustaina- ble dietary staple to feed the planet’s ever- Cultural groups around the world have been consuming pulses for centuries, and with good reason. A vital source of plant-based protein and dietary fibre, pulses are bene- growing population. WHOLESOME NUTRITION

ficial to our overall health. They contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, folate and magnesium. Fur- thermore, pulses can help achieve healthy cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart di- sease, stabilize blood sugar and improve gut health. A single cup of cooked pulses contains more than half of the recommended daily fibre intake. ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING Beyond the human diet, pulses also have a po- sitive impact on the environment. In addition to requiring less water and energy to grow than other crops, they produce fewer green- house gas emissions, which are a common agricultural by-product largely caused by the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Pulse crops possess

nitrogen-neutralizing properties and are able to convert nitrogen found in the air into a natural fertilizer that crops can use. SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Today’s farmers face the challenge of produ- cing more and more food to meet the demand of a growing population while leaving behind the smallest possible environmental foot- print. Pulses provide an affordable, nutri- tious and sustainable alternative to traditional sources of protein like red meat, poultry and fish. Spicy chickpea burgers, red bean brownies, butterbean casseroles, baked curry lentil ca- kes — pulses aren’t just good for soups! Visit www.pulses.org for a variety of heal- thy, mouth-watering recipes to try.

Do you often dream of the day your kids will be old enough to take over the family farm? Here are a few key pieces of advice to help pique their interest at a young age. After all, it’s an essential prerequisite for any business owner looking to someday hand over the reins to their offspring. First and foremost, it’s important that your children feel that they play an integral role in your family’s farming operations. Involve them in the farming process by delegating some of the easier tasks that are safe for a per- son of their age to handle with little to no help. For example, make them each responsi- ble for the upkeep of a parcel of land and guide them in the right direction without gi- ving too much away. Explain what you ex- pect of them and help them find the appro- priate means to accomplish the task at hand, but refrain from doing all of the work for them, even if what they’re doing is far from perfect. Offer them support, but give them the freedom to learn from firsthand experien- ce. And don’t forget that your encouragement and congratulatory words are crucial! Furthermore, remember that what impas- sions you the most about the farming life doesn’t necessarily align with your chil- dren’s preferences. Be attentive, leverage their strengths and, above all else, show interest in their passions. Finally, focus on emphasizing the positive aspects of your line of work. You wouldn’t want to get the kids discouraged from the get-go by recap- ping the day’s troubles every night over din- ner.

Your children need to feel that their participation is crucial to your family’s farming operations. Get them involved!

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