EP30 Native Plants
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Longtime Woman and Running Coyote of the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association tell their stories and the stories of the native plants of Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) territory.
Experimenting with No-Till Regenerative Agriculture – Steel Pony Farms – Red Deer, AB
With no knowledge about food production prior to these experiences, my learning curve was exponential. I became familiar with field crops, beef, dairy, goat, sheep, pig, broiler, egg, honey, vegetable, and fruit production. By engaging in a diversity of production methods, I observed the impact these methods had on the plants and animals being produced. In general, I saw that when farmers prioritized soil biology, as opposed to short term yield increases through the use of synthetic chemicals, they created healthier farming systems, healthier plants, healthier animals, and more successful farms – in terms of a triple bottom line.
Intercropping: Experimenting for Diversity – Andy Kirschenman – Hilda, AB
Intercropping is something that I was first drawn to after reading articles about Colin Rosengren, a grain farmer who practices intercropping on his farm, Rosengren Farm, in southern Saskatchewan. Fifteen years ago, I first experimented with managing 20 acres of peas and canola, and have since tried different combinations almost every year. I have managed as much as 600 acres, and as little as zero in the years after that first try. I have experimented with different crops together and different seeding rates.
Investing in Solar Energy for Tomorrow – Vaudet Dairy
When the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) program came out in 2013, we started looking into what things they would approve for funding, to see if we could make any improvements to the farm. One of the key themes of GF2 was to ‘be proactive, increase productivity and advance sustainability.’ With fluctuating electricity rates and a deep concern for what the future prices would become, we did some research and turned our eye to solar panels.
Building Resilient Farms Workshop
March 21st, 2020 – Bruderheim, AB
Join us in Bruderheim, AB to learn about how you can improve your soil’s health and build a more resilient farm.
EP29 Farmers for Climate Solutions
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Rural Routes to Climate Solutions, Farmers for Climate Solutions, it’s the same thing, right? Not exactly. Learn about the brand new national campaign supporting ag producers practicing climate-friendly farming.
Regenerative Farming – Greener Pastures Ranching
On all of the eroded grain land, we need livestock back out there, recycling nutrients back into the soil. That’s how nature had it planned. In any environment where there’s a dormant season, nature put a ruminant animal. A ruminant is a cow, a deer, a sheep, an elk, a goat, or an elephant. Ruminants have four stomachs and they basically decompose plant material with microorganisms and bacteria in the gut. If you have a dormant season in an environment, for example, winter in North America, the bugs die off and there’s nothing there to decompose the plant material that’s left over. Nature brings in a ruminant animal where the bugs have a place to work – except here, they’re working inside the stomach of the cow. In a rainforest environment, there’s no need for a ruminant because the material falls to the ground, decomposers can work in the soil all year round. But here, where we have a dormant season, we need ruminants.
EP28 Electric Tractor
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Explore the joys, risks and paybacks of being one of the first electric tractor owners in Canada with agricultural producer Tony Neale.
Giving Credit to Soil Carbon Workshop
February 19th, 2020 – Mayerthorpe, AB
Learn about the benefits of carbon sequestration and how to get soil carbon credits for your farm!
Farming, Energy, and Ecosystems Workshop
February 27th, 2020 – Bonnyville, AB
Join us in Bonnyville, AB to learn about green energy solutions and ecosystem services for your farm. We’ll have presenters from the green energy sector, government, and finance to answer questions about how Alberta farms can benefit from transitioning to green energy solutions and implementing farm practices that protect the surrounding ecosystems.
