THE MAGAZINE FOR COSTCO MEMBERS

January 2025

by sheri flies

Regenerative agriculture offers an option for better soil health

As we look at ways to address climate change, one promising development involves something that has nourished us for ages: the soil.

Through an approach called regenerative agriculture, the goal is to enhance soil health and increase its capacity to store carbon, manage water and restore ecosystem health. This is achieved with practices such as no-till farming (to minimize soil disturbance), rotating crops, planting cover crops, integrating livestock into farming systems and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. These steps help reintroduce rich nutrients into the soil, and keep them there.

© Halfpoint / stock.adobe.com

On farms with animals such as cattle and sheep, the soil can be nourished by planting a rotation of crops in specific areas, and grazing the animals in those same areas. The animals benefit from this diet, while naturally stirring and fertilizing the soil as they feed. Larger ranches are following similar approaches, having their cattle graze in rotating plots.

Why is healthy soil important? It’s all about the soil microbiome—the bacteria, fungi,

earthworms and more that provide nutrients, carbon and water to plants. A healthy soil is rich in microbes and stores water. This is good for the crops we eat; also, healthy soil sequesters carbon, absorbing greenhouse gases.

Introducing these practices may present challenges for some farmers and ranchers. New systems require financial investments, education, new materials and transition time. Because soil is a non-renewable, limited resource and susceptible to erosion, many farmers are beginning to explore these practices despite the challenges. When healthy, soil can be a significant carbon sink, playing the same role as forests do.

And Costco’s role? We support our suppliers that practice regenerative agriculture because it’s the right thing to do and supports our overall Climate Action Plan. It also is good for biodiversity, defined as all the different kinds of life in an area. Their health is critical to ours. For more information, see our Sustainability Commitment at Costco.ca.

© Lustre Art Group / stock.adobe.com

by SHARON CHISVIN

Costco supplier Pets Plus Us offers exclusive insurance

Pet ownership has many human health benefits, according to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, including helping to lower blood pressure and alleviate

depression. But your pet's health is just as important.

Fortunately, Costco insurance

supplier Pets Plus Us can help Costco members look after the health of

their pets.

“Pet insurance is something every pet owner should have,” says Katie Harris, the business relationship manager for Pets Plus Us, and a Costco member.

© Syda Productions

“We don’t want to think of our pets getting sick or injured, but it can happen. Having pet insurance can help ensure that you will be able to make the best medical-related decisions for your pets with less worry about its affordability.”

Pets Plus Us offers exclusive discounts to Costco members: Executive Members receive a 15% discount and Gold Star and Business Members receive a 10% discount.

The most popular of the Pets Plus Us insurance plan options is Accident & Illness. Accident & Illness helps cover unexpected and eligible veterinarian treatment, including surgery and hospitalization, that is necessitated due to your pet becoming ill or being injured.

With Accident & Illness, you can choose between two levels of coverage—either $7,500 or $15,000 annually—as well as the amount of the deductible and the percentage of the health care bill that you wish to be covered.

Pets Plus Us also offers an accident-only insurance plan, which helps cover up to $5,000 per year in eligible veterinarian bills resulting from pet accidents, such as being hit by a car or falling from a balcony. All Pets Plus Us policies offer renewable limits and can be customized to help suit any budget.

“At Pets Plus Us, we’re pet owners too, and we know the importance of being part of a community [that] truly gets the fluffy, four-legged journey you are on,” Harris says. “[Being part of our] community is like a never-ending game of fetch for pet parents, where we toss around stories and shared experiences, ensuring no one must chase their pet-related questions alone.

“Whether you’re looking for advice or just want to share a cute picture of your furry family member,” she adds, “join our community of other pet parents on social media [@petsplusus].”

Sharon Chisvin is a Winnipeg writer, loving owner of two rescue dogs and a long-time Costco member.

Health and Wellness Promotion

Costco Pharmacies offer health and wellness services to help you reach your health goals. Pharmacies in Costco’s Quebec locations are independently owned and operated by pharmacists. For more information, visit CostcoPharmacy.ca.

FOR SCHEDULES & DESCRIPTIONS

Go to Costco.ca and search “Special Events.” Or, from the Costco mobile app, go to “Warehouse Locator” and choose a warehouse for events info.

Viking Sandals

With almost 50 years of experience in crafting affordable cork-wrapped, suede footbed sandals, Viking’s newest collection is both stylish and comfortable. You’ll look as good as you’ll feel in Viking Sandals.

Traeger Grills

Traeger invented the original wood-fired grill over 30 years ago in Mount Angel, Oregon, and continues to lead the industry, thanks to products perfected by decades of mastering the craft of wood-fired cooking. These grills are fuelled by 100% pure hardwood pellets and regulated with a digital controller, which means that from low and slow to hot and fast grilling, you’ll fire up deliciously consistent results every time.

Sue Heddle didn’t want to just talk about reconciliation—she wanted to see it happen. In 2017, the hockey mom from Oakville, Ontario, founded Hockey Cares, a cultural exchange to build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.

The annual charitable program connects two groups of hockey players who are similar ages (13 to 15 years old) but live 1,000 kilometres apart. Male and female players from Oakville and Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario host each other for a week in June and November.

Photos courtesy of True North Aid / Hockey Cares

“Hockey is the common language,” Heddle says. “The kids are very shy and nervous at first, but once they all get on the ice together, they open up and become friends.”—Kristi York

Hockey Cares founder Sue Heddle with hockey players.

Youth from diverse backgrounds participate in the Hockey Cares program

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