Seeding Change: Polycultures at Work at Muddy Creek Ranch
At Muddy Creek Ranch in Fairview, Alberta, rancher Garth Shaw is blending generations of farming tradition with new regenerative approaches to create a more resilient future for his land, livestock and family.
Rooted in the rolling grasslands of the Peace Country, Garth’s operation is centred on cattle, community and a growing commitment to soil health. His journey into regenerative agriculture began with a healthy dose of skepticism and a nudge from his daughter to try something new: polycultures.
What started as a small trial turned into a game-changer. Diverse forage mixes not only kept Garth’s cattle grazing through the harsh Alberta winter, but helped reduce feed costs, improved soil structure and sparked curiosity among his neighbours.
This blog explores how Garth’s shift to polycultures is transforming more than just his fields. From balancing winter feeding strategies to building community resilience, Garth’s story highlights the power of staying open to learning and leading with care—for the land, the animals and the people connected to both.
Whether you’re a seasoned rancher, just starting your regenerative journey or simply curious about what’s possible when you plant diversity, this story offers insights and inspiration from the ground up.
EP 80 – Meet the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network
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Welcome to Restoring the Margins, our brand new podcast series, in partnership with the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network (PPSN). This series explores how agriculture producers in the Prairies can take their marginal lands and turn them into something both more profitable and more beneficial for the environment. In this opening episode, we’re joined by Dr. Christy Morrissey, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a lead researcher with the PPSN.
EP 79 – Kainai Self Sufficiency
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In this episode of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP) podcast series, Lance Tailfeathers sits down with Wolf Caller (Elliot Fox), a leader in land management and now a member of Kainai First Nation’s Council. They discuss the past, present and future of agriculture in Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta, exploring how Blackfoot ways of knowing can help to protect water systems against droughts, enhance food security and protect native species.
Strengthening Alberta’s Agriculture: Regenerative Agriculture Lab Open House
Join us for the public launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL)—a pioneering social innovation lab designed to transform Alberta’s agricultural landscape through sustainable, community-driven innovation.
Learn about the hands-on projects already underway, connect with the people behind them and share your ideas for Alberta’s regenerative future.
Stewarding the Land, Building the Future: The Story of Timber Ridge Ranch
Since well before regenerative agriculture became a buzzword, Glen and Kelly Hall have been quietly practicing its principles. At Timber Ridge ranch, near Stavely, Alberta the Halls are blending time-honoured traditions of ranching with forward thinking practices that put soil, water and biodiversity at the centre of the story.
Ranching in today’s agricultural climate come with its challenges – rising costs, extreme weather and difficulties with expansion and succession to name a few. That’s why the Halls, in partnership with conservation organizations and impact investors have embraced a bold alternative – steward ownership.
We spoke to the Halls about this innovate model, which flips conventional farm financing on its head. We discussed putting the stewards (producers) at the centre, how they set up collaborative agreements and how this is helping them plan for a successful future at Timber Ridge.
It’s clear from this conversation that connections underpin the whole system – connection to the land, the animals and their community. Glen and Kelly are living proof that when innovative thinking meets a deep rooted care for the land, anything is possible.
Request for Proposal
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to support their Assessing Regenerative Natural Capital Opportunities (ARNCO) project. ARNCO is a one-year initiative designed to assess the feasibility and scalability of a Steward Ownership (SO) model—an innovative governance and financing structure—to expand regenerative agricultural land management in Alberta.
Project Coordinator – Regenerative Agriculture Lab
RR2CS is happy to announce that we are seeking a Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL) Coordinator to join our great team of individuals who are working together to support our Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL).
Talking Circle: Niitsitapi Kaakiisin & Agriculture
Join us for a special Talking Circle event as we gather to explore the intersection of Nitsitapi paatapiisini (Blackfoot ways of knowing) and agriculture. This day-long event is an opportunity to listen, share, and discuss how traditional knowledge and sustainable practices can work together to support resilient agriculture and land management within the Blackfoot Confederacy.
EP 78 – Everybody Wins – SoR Part 10
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Our Stories of Regeneration tour concludes at Ottawa’s Just Food Community Farm, a 150-acre testament to sustainable, small-scale agriculture, including initiatives like Chi Garden and Urban Fresh Produce. Emphasizing agroecology and land stewardship, the farm champions local food sovereignty and transforms newcomers into farmers through its Start-up Farm Program. In our series finale, participants Chadwick Lewis and Sun Shan highlight the farm’s impact on sustainable agriculture and community regeneration.
EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Environment – SoR Part 9
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Facing his daughter’s health issues, rancher Craig Cameron and his family turned to regenerative farming to grow the healthiest food possible for her. Craig, alongside his father-in-law Peter DenOudsten, shifted their traditional beef farm to a regenerative model. They now grow over 10 types of grass and clover, use less fertilizer, and produce some of the healthiest, most nutritious beef you can find.
