If you are a lifelong learner, being an agricultural producer is almost the perfect profession for you. 

Other economic sectors evolve and adapt over the years, but since nature doesn’t work off of blueprints, learning and adapting in agriculture can happen over days, even hours. You never know what Mother Nature is going to dish out, whether it is going to be the good, the bad or the ugly, so being able to observe, learn and adapt can be just as handy as mechanical skills. 

And now we have educational programs that blend Blackfoot ways of knowing and agriculture.

In this episode of Rural Routes to Climate Solutions, we are taking a look at the Red Crow Community College’s Niitsitapi Agriculture Certificate Program with JR Weasel Fat of Kainai. It is a one-year diploma program on agricultural production and business management that also provides an opportunity to do the second year of the program at Olds College.

Highlights:

• 3:04 – JR Weasel Fat shares some information about himself and his role at Red Crow Community College
• 15:18 – Does the program raise awareness of regenerative agriculture practices?
• 18:00 – What do producers need to know about soil degradation?
• 21:06 – How does JR approach the concept of soil carbon sequestration with his students?
• 23:10 – JR shares his thoughts on phase 1 of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project.
• 24:40 – What are community gardens like in Standoff, Alberta?
• 27:03 – JR shares talks about his students.
• 28:30 – What are the possible connections between Blackfoot culture and regenerative agriculture?

Useful links:

• Red Crow College
• Olds College
• 22nd Annual Blackfoot Confederacy Conference

Want to learn more?

Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.