Rural Routes to Climate Solutions: Recent Episodes
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions
Join us for a special Talking Circle event as we gather to explore the intersection of 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.
The Talking Circle format provides a respectful, inclusive space for everyone to speak and be heard. The circle embodies the principles of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect, reflecting our shared commitment to honoring traditional knowledge and addressing contemporary challenges.
Why Attend:This event is a meaningful opportunity to:
- Participate in a community-driven discussion
- Learn how Blackfoot knowledge and ways of knowing can inform and enhance sustainable agriculture.
- Build connections with others who are passionate about land stewardship
- Help shape the future of agriculture in the Blackfoot Confederacy.
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Registration is free and lunch will be provided. Who Should Attend:The event is particularly suited for Blackfoot Confederacy members including:
-
Elders and Knowledge Holders
- Land stewards
- Those interested in community health and food security
While this gathering is focused on fostering discussion within the Siksikaitsitapi community, we are open to collaborations and knowledge exchanges with other communities in the future. For now, we aim to ensure this is a comfortable and supportive environment for Blackfoot Confederacy members to come together and share their perspectives.
Planned Talking Circles:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm1605 17 Ave, Brocket, AB
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pmRed Crow College – Blood Tribe 148, Stand Off
Register NowThe post Talking Circle: Niitsitapi Kaakiisin & Agriculture appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Talking Circle: Niitsitapi Kaakiisin & Agriculture appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Date: October 16, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 4 pm
Location: Mannville, Alberta
Registration Fee: $30
Registration closes October 10, 2024
Are you ready to enhance your farming practice repertoire with innovative solutions like intercropping, forage blends, winter grazing and soil health? Join us on Wednesday, October 16 in Mannville, Alberta, for an engaging and informative field day filled with guest speakers, practical advice and plenty of networking opportunities.
Learn from Expert Speakers:Will Groeneveld, has grain farmed in the Mannville area for 40 years. Since 2018, he has included perennial forages, grain intercrops and summer & winter grazing in an effort to improve both his soil and farm resiliency. The learning continues…
Kevin Elmy, PAg and celebrated author of “Cover Cropping in Western Canada” and “Not Just Dirt,” will offer his extensive knowledge on cover cropping and soil health, emphasizing the benefits of diverse forage blends.
Lynne Girardin, PAg and Consulting Ruminant Nutritionist, will share how to incorporate poly crops into beef rations, what to look for, what to expect for cow and calf performance, and what the benefits are to the animals and the ground they walk on.
Chris Elder is a Lakeland College graduate and the ALUS Program Coordinator in the County of Vermilion River, where he provides technical and financial support to local agricultural producers to develop, implement, and manage environmental stewardship projects on their land.
Dr. Yamily Zavala has managed the Chinook Applied Research Association’s crop and soil program for the past seven years and now manages the Soil Health lab. Prior to joining the CARA staff, she was a crop production consultant based out of Ottawa where project work took her to Central and South America as well as points in the south and west of Africa. Early in her career, Yamily was a Soil Scientist for the National Agricultural Research Foundation at the Táchira State Research Center in Venezuela.
This event is a unique opportunity for farmers & ranchers to learn about practices that local producers are using to help create soil health and resilience on their operations.
Learn how intercropping and forage blends can improve both livestock feed quality and soil vitality. Engage with leading experts, network with fellow participants, and gain valuable knowledge to implement sustainable practices on your farm.
Event Highlights: In-depth presentations on intercropping and beef cattle rations using polycultures * Interactive Q&A session with presenters * Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals * Practical advice for integrating new techniques into your farming operations * On-site intercropping and livestock incorporation into grain framing operation Topics Covered: Enhancing soil and farm resiliency with intercropping, livestock incorporation and forage blends * The versatility of forage and crop blends in creating balanced rations * The benefits of increasing biodiversity around the farm by adding shelterbelts, eco-buffers, pollinator strips, grassed waterways, and other projects, as well as programs that can provide funding to support new project implementation. * Assessment of soil health and function using simple on farm tests. * On-site soil pit to observe deeper soil horizons in annual and perennial crops * And much more! Why Attend? Enhance soil health: Learn how intercropping and blends contribute to soil fertility and resilience. * Learn how to incorporate livestock into a grain operation and boost soil health without owning the livestock * Boost feed quality: Discover the benefits of blend options for livestock nutrition. * Gain practical insights: Hear from experienced professionals and other producers who have successfully implemented these strategies. * Learn directly from the experts: Ask your questions directly to five experts on intercrops, polycultures and animal nutrition! * Save money on minerals* and supplements with balanced rations.
Registration Fee: $30
Registration closes October 10, 2024
Don’t miss out on this chance to advance your knowledge and practices in sustainable agriculture. Mark your calendar for Oct 16th and join us in Manville for a day of learning, networking, and growth.
Register Now to secure your spot! Let’s cultivate a future of sustainable farming together!
RegisterToday...REGISTERThe post A Day in the Field – Crops, Cows & Carbon appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post A Day in the Field – Crops, Cows & Carbon appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Date: July 5, 2024
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: Coalhurst, Alberta
Are you ready to enhance your farming practices with innovative solutions for feed and soil health? Join us on July 5th in Coalhurst, Alberta, for an engaging and informative field day filled with guest speakers,practical advice and plenty of networking opportunities.
Learn from Expert Speakers:
- Gerrid Knol: CCA, Operations Manager at Preventive Maintenance Inc. and experienced regenerative farmer, will share his practical insights, success and not-so-successful stories in integrating forage blends into farming operations.
- Kevin Elmy: PAg and celebrated author of “Cover Cropping in Western Canada” and “Not Just Dirt,” will offer his extensive knowledge on cover cropping and soil health, emphasizing the benefits of diverse forage blends.
- Lynne Giradin, PAg and Consulting Ruminant Nutritionist, will share how to incorporate poly crops into beef rations, what to look for, what to expect for cow and calf performance, and what the benefits are to the animals and the ground they walk on.
This event is a unique opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enthusiasts to discover how forage blends can improve both livestock feed quality and soil vitality. Engage with leading experts, network with fellow participants, and gain valuable knowledge to implement sustainable practices on your farm.
Event Highlights:
- In-depth presentations on forage blends and beef cattle rations using polycultures
- Interactive Q&A session
- Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals
- Practical advice for integrating new techniques into your farming operations
- On-Site Forage Blends: Check out two forage blends, one for swath grazing and one for silage, which will regrow for fall grazing
Topics Covered:
- Improving soil health with polycultures
- The versatility of forage blends in creating balanced rations
- The benefits of using blends
- And much more!
Why Attend?
- Enhance Soil Health: Learn how forage blends contribute to soil fertility and resilience.
- Boost Feed Quality: Discover the benefits of diverse forage options for livestock nutrition.
- Gain Practical Insights: Hear from experienced professionals who have successfully implemented these strategies.
- Learn Directly from the Experts: Ask your questions directly to experts on cover/poly crops and animal nutrition.
- Save money on minerals and supplements with balanced rations.
Registration Fee: $30
Registration closes July 3, 2024
Don’t miss out on this chance to advance your knowledge and practices in sustainable agriculture. Mark your calendar for July 5th and join us in Coalhurst for a day of learning, networking, and growth.
Register Now to secure your spot and let’s cultivate a future of sustainable farming together!
RegisterToday...REGISTERThe post Polycultures In Practice – A Day in the Field appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Polycultures In Practice – A Day in the Field appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Oki!
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) shines a spotlight on the climate solutions that Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities can benefit from. RR2CS is seeking a Project Coordinator to support our Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP) and join our great team of community organizers, facilitators and communications specialists.
About us:At RR2CS, we’re on a mission to cultivate climate solutions in rural Alberta. Through innovative projects and community collaboration, we’re helping pave the way for a more resilient future. From regenerative agriculture to Indigenous-led initiatives, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and empowering local communities.
Key responsibilities:The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the following activities:
- Organizing and running events like workshops and land-based field days
- Organizing and hosting webinars
- Facilitation/consulting with community members
- Partnering and working with other organizations where possible
- Ensure the above activities are designed and undertaken following the appropriate Blackfoot cultural protocols.
The Project Coordinator will contribute to and support the rest of the RR2CS team with the following activities:
- blog, podcast, video production
- updating social media channels and the website
- supporting webinars, workshops and field days
- grant writing and sponsorship development
- meetings with stakeholders
- attending fairs, expos and events on behalf of RR2CS
Who you are:You’re awesome. Come on, don’t be modest. We know you were thinking it when you were looking in the mirror this morning.
Some might say you’re a wizard at the three C’s: communication, coordinating, and comfortability. You make people feel welcomed and wanted. The past few years have been hard, but you’ve taken the changes in stride and can thrive when working remotely and independently. You understand the challenges of working with a team that works independently too, so you strive to stay connected and positive. We’re not the type to hover over your shoulder, asking “Whatcha doing? Whatcha doing?”, which you’re relieved to hear. At the same time, the rest of the RR2CS team is there to help during times of uncertainty or when clarification is needed, which you greatly appreciate.
You see mistakes as an opportunity for growth. You know how and when to pivot, and when to ask for help. We’re all in this together, after all, and a high tide raises all boats.
You’re a delight to speak with, thoughtful, flexible, and passionate about either Mokaksin (traditional Blackfoot knowledge), agriculture, community health and food security (or maybe it is all of the above). Empowering Siksikaitsipoyi (Blackfoot people) is something you’re almost too excited about (we love that!).
You believe in people and their ability to bring about positive change.
If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you!
What is the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project?A “participant-driven project” may sound like some sort of Lord of the Flies-esque management nightmare. Rest assured, this is not the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project.
SAP empowers Siksikaitsitapi agricultural producers and traditional harvesters with traditional knowledge, resources and peers to engage with and implement culturally-appropriate agricultural climate solutions (i.e. they align with Blackfoot culture). The vision of SAP is the widespread adoption of these solutions within the Siksikaitsitapi, helping to address the social, economic and environmental issues its members and many Indigenous Peoples face.
SAP began its journey in 2021 and in 2023-2024, the project aims to build a collaborative platform for Siksikaitsitapi members to learn together and decide on two things:
- which agricultural climate solutions align with Blackfoot culture, and
- how these solutions can positively impact community health and food security.
‘Building’ this collaborative platform looks a little something like this:
- Organizing ‘community convening moments’ (e.g. meetings, workshops, field days) for Blackfoot agricultural producers and harvesters to learn about and discuss agricultural climate solutions together and explore where they intersect with traditional knowledge, food security and community health.
- Celebrating, widely sharing and learning from Blackfoot success stories in land stewardship by using Rural Routes’ tried and tested communications tools (e.g. podcast, Farmer’s Blog, videos) to support and supplement the conversations happening in the community convening moments.
There are likely project activities we haven’t even thought of yet for SAP and that’s the beauty of a participant-driven project. If it fits into the ‘bucket’ of agricultural climate solutions that align with Siksikaitsitapiissinni or Blackfoot culture and can address either community health or food security, we can consider it for the project. Don’t let this job posting hold you back.
Employment details:Wages: $27.50/hour. You will be working as a contractor and are responsible for ensuring that necessary payments for income tax / CPP have been made.
Hours: 20 hours/week. A typical work week with Rural Routes is Monday to Thursday.
Duration: Rural Routes is currently fundraising to extend this role beyond December 31, 2024. There is the possibility of a contract extension if we are successful in our fundraising efforts.
Location: Alberta. While this is a remote position, the successful candidate must reside in Alberta to participate in in-person gatherings and events.
Qualifications:* Knowledge of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) culture * Previous event management and hosting experience * Strong facilitation skills, particularly in community engagement * Excellent team-communications skills, especially when working with participants, RR2CS team and partners * Experience and comfort, or willingness to learn, in using online tools (e.g. Google Workspace, Trello, Slack, Asana) and working virtually, as this is a remote position
Assets: Membership with either Kainai, Piikani or Siksika First Nations * Knowledge and awareness of Blackfoot history, cultural protocols and language * Understanding on-reserve challenges * Ability to communicate clearly and confidently * Experience in fundraising, especially completing grant applications * Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation including agricultural and/or nature-based climate solutions, especially regenerative agriculture * A willingness to problem solve to overcome challenges * Related to the above, an ability to ask for help when needing clarity or support * A sense of humor. Listen to our podcast episodes The Coordinators, What We Do and 50 More* to better understand our sense of humor.
Requirements and expectations: Report to the Project Manager * Participate in 2 weekly team meetings–one with the RR2CS team and one with the SAP team—and participate in quarterly advisory committee meetings. * Overnight travel*. SAP will likely have 3 one-day, in-person events per year. In addition to this, Rural Routes has two 2-3 day team building meetings per year. Your mileage and accommodation will be covered by Rural Routes and if child care is a barrier to participation, we’ll work with you to try and address it. Most of our team has kids so we get it. * Using online tools like WordPress, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom and Trello * Keep track of and manage your own hours, invoices and expense claims
How to apply:Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as one PDF and email it to info@rr2cs.ca. Please include “SAP Project Coordinator Application” in the subject line of your email.
Only considered candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Applications will be reviewed every month until the successful candidate is found.
The post Project Coordinator – Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Project Coordinator – Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) shines a spotlight on the climate solutions that Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities can benefit from. RR2CS is happy to announce that we are seeking a Project Manager to lead one of our most unique initiatives yet–Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP)–and join our great team of community organizers, facilitators and communications specialists.
About us:At RR2CS, we’re on a mission to cultivate climate solutions in rural Alberta. Through innovative projects and community collaboration, we’re helping pave the way for a more resilient future. From regenerative agriculture to Indigenous-led initiatives, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and empowering local communities.
Key responsibilities:The Project Manager will be responsible for the following activities:
- Communications, organizing and logistics for SAP
- Recruiting, managing, supporting and assisting the SAP team (3 project coordinators) in design and delivery of workshops, webinars and other participant interactions
- Creating and working with an advisory committee or committees of Blackfoot Elders and Knowledge Holders
- Building relationships and collaborating with government and non-government organizations serving the Blackfoot people.
- Budgeting and analytics of SAP and its participants
- Securing resources and recruiting participants to take part in SAP
- Ensuring that the above activities are designed and undertaken with the appropriate Blackfoot cultural lens.
The Project Manager will contribute to and support the rest of the RR2CS team with the following activities:
- blog, podcast, video production
- social media channels and the website
- webinars, workshops, field days and other social innovation labs
- grant writing and sponsorship development
- meetings with stakeholders
- attending fairs, expos and events on behalf of RR2CS
Who you are:You’re awesome. Come on, don’t be modest. We know you were thinking it when you were looking in the mirror this morning.
Some might say you’re a wizard at the three C’s: communication, coordinating, and comfortability. You make people feel welcomed and wanted. The past few years have been hard, but you’ve taken the changes in stride, and can thrive when working remotely and independently. You understand the challenges of managing a team that works independently too, so you strive to stay connected and positive. We’re not the type to hover over your shoulder, asking “Whatcha doing? Whatcha doing?”, which you’re relieved to hear. At the same time, the rest of the RR2CS team is there to help during times of uncertainty or when clarification is needed, which you greatly appreciate.
You see mistakes as an opportunity for growth. You know how and when to pivot, and when to ask for help. We’re all in this together, after all, and a high tide raises all boats.
You’re a delight to speak with, thoughtful, flexible, and passionate about either Mokaksin (traditional Blackfoot knowledge), agriculture, community health and food security (or maybe it is all of the above). Empowering Siksikaitsipoyi (Blackfoot people) is something you’re almost too excited about (we love that!).
You believe in people and their ability to bring about positive change.
If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you!
What we need:Full transparency: this isn’t your usual project management role. Unique initiatives like the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project require unique leadership.
Part of the role is very much what you would expect from a Project Manager role: scheduling, communicating, follow-up, logistics, designing and delivering project activities and guiding, managing and delegating tasks to the SAP team. In addition to this, the Project Manager manages SAP’s budget and reporting requirements and builds the strategic partnerships that are so crucial to ensuring the success of the project.
What makes the Project Manager role a tad bit unusual is the Project Manager isn’t really leading SAP, the participants are. SAP is a participant-driven project where the participants ‘lead’ by determining the project’s direction. The Project Manager works alongside the SAP advisory committee and project coordinators who invite and connect with current and potential SAP participants through the project activities. Working with these groups, the Project Manager builds out and maintains a bigger picture of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project at all times.
The Project Manager has to stay up-to-date on key issues facing the Blackfoot Confederacy and have a good sense of what is happening within the project. Anticipating next steps for SAP will also be important in ensuring the project has the resources it needs to grow and evolve.
Experience in facilitating and hosting groups is a plus; flexibility, strong listening skills, planning and project management are required and; thinking outside of the box is helpful. After all, Rural Routes is in the solutions business.
What is the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project?A “participant-driven project” may sound like some sort of Lord of the Flies-esque management nightmare. Rest assured, this is not the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project.
SAP empowers Siksikaitsitapi agricultural producers and traditional harvesters with traditional knowledge, resources and peers to engage with and implement culturally-appropriate agricultural climate solutions (i.e. they align with Blackfoot culture). The vision of SAP is the widespread adoption of these solutions within the Siksikaitsitapi helping to address the social, economic and environmental issues its members and many Indigenous Peoples face.
SAP began its journey in 2021 and in 2023-2024, the project aims to build a collaborative platform for Siksikaitsitapi members to learn together and decide on two things:
- which agricultural climate solutions align with Blackfoot culture, and
- how these solutions can positively impact community health and food security.
‘Building’ this collaborative platform looks a little something like this:
- Organizing ‘community convening moments’ (e.g. meetings, workshops, field days) for Blackfoot agricultural producers and harvesters to learn about and discuss agricultural climate solutions together and explore where they intersect with traditional knowledge, food security and community health.
- Celebrating, widely sharing and learning from Blackfoot success stories in land stewardship by using Rural Routes’ tried and tested communications tools (e.g. podcast, Farmer’s Blog, videos) to support and supplement the conversations happening in the community convening moments.
There are likely project activities we haven’t even thought of yet for SAP and that’s the beauty of a participant-driven project. If it fits into the ‘bucket’ of agricultural climate solutions that align with Siksikaitsitapiissinni or Blackfoot culture and can address either community health or food security, we can consider it for the project. Don’t let this job posting hold you back.
Employment details:Wages: $30.00-$33.00/hour (depending on level of experience). You will be working as a contractor and are responsible for ensuring that necessary payments for income tax / CPP have been made.
Hours: 30-35 hours/week (depending on level of experience). Typical work week with Rural Routes is Monday to Thursday.
Duration: Rural Routes is currently fundraising to extend this role beyond December 31, 2024. There is the possibility of a contract extension if we are successful in our fundraising efforts.
Location: Alberta. While this is a remote position, the successful candidate must reside in Alberta to participate in in-person gatherings and events.
Qualifications:* Knowledge of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) culture * Strong planning and interpersonal communication skills * Previous project management experience * Knowledge of agriculture, traditional land use and/or rural Alberta social, economic and environmental issues * Experience in developing and stewarding relationships with potential and current partners * Strong team communication skills, especially when working with the advisory committee, participants, RR2CS team and partners
Assets: Member of one of the Blackfoot Nations * Knowledge of issues and challenges on reserves * Ability to communicate clearly and confidently * An inclusive and supportive management style * Experience in fundraising, especially completing grant applications * Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation including agricultural and/or nature-based climate solutions. * A willingness to problem solve to overcome the challenges and evolution the project may face * Related to the above, an ability to ask for help when needing clarity or support * Natural ability to take charge, speak up, and make sure others are heard * A sense of humor. Listen to our podcast episodes The Coordinators, What We Do and 50 More* to better understand our sense of humor.
Requirements and expectations: Report to the Executive Director * Participate in 2 weekly team meetings–one with the RR2CS team and one with the SAP team—and participate in quarterly advisory committee meetings. * Overnight travel*. SAP will likely have 3 one-day, in-person events per year. In addition to this, Rural Routes has two 2-3 day team building meetings per year. Your mileage and accommodation will be covered by Rural Routes and if child care is a barrier to participation, we’ll work with you to try and address it. Most of our team has kids so we get it. * Using online tools like WordPress, Google G-Suite, Zoom and Trello
How to apply:Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as one PDF and email it to info@rr2cs.ca. Please include “SAP Project Manager Application” in the subject line of your email.
Only considered candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Applications will be reviewed every month until the successful candidate is found.
The post Project Manager – Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Project Manager – Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) shines a spotlight on the climate solutions that Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities can benefit from. RR2CS is happy to announce that we are seeking a Project Manager for our flagship initiative—the Regenerative Agriculture Lab or RAL—and join our great team of community organizers, facilitators and communications specialists.
About us:At RR2CS, we’re on a mission to cultivate climate solutions in rural Alberta. Through innovative projects and community collaboration, we’re helping pave the way for a more resilient future. From regenerative agriculture to Indigenous-led initiatives, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and empowering local communities.
Key responsibilities:The Project Manager will be responsible for the following activities:
- Communications, organizing, and logistics for RAL
- Managing, supporting and assisting the RAL team in design and delivery of workshops, webinars and other participant interactions within the Lab.
- Networking and maintaining great partnerships with outside organizations
- Budgeting and analytics of RAL and its participants
- Securing the resources and providing the support participants require to be engaged members of the Lab.
- Supporting the overall ‘health’ of the Lab (i.e. make sure RAL is a well-oiled machine)
The Project Manager will contribute to and support the rest of the RR2CS team with the following activities:
- blog, podcast, video production
- social media channels and the website
- webinars, workshops, field days and other social innovation labs
- grant writing and sponsorship development
- meetings with stakeholders
- attending fairs, expos and events on behalf of RR2CS
Who you are:You’re awesome. Some might say you’re a wizard at the three C’s: communication, coordinating, and comfortability. You make people feel welcomed and wanted. The past few years have been hard, but you’ve taken the changes in stride, and can thrive when working remotely and independently. You understand the challenges of managing a team that works independently too, so you strive to stay connected and positive. We’re not the type to hover over your shoulder, asking “Whatcha doing? Whatcha doing?”, which you’re relieved to hear. At the same time, the rest of the RR2CS team is there to help during times of uncertainty or when clarification is needed, which you greatly appreciate.
You see mistakes as an opportunity for growth. You know how and when to pivot, and when to ask for help. We’re all in this together, after all, and a high tide raises all boats.
You’re a delight to speak with, thoughtful, flexible, and passionate about agriculture and empowering rural communities. Honestly, you’re almost too excited for the future of regenerative agriculture in Alberta (we love that!). You believe in people and their ability to bring about positive change.
If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you!
What we need:Full transparency: this may be the strangest project management role you’ve ever come across. It also might be one of the more exciting ones you’ve seen recently, so there’s that too.
Part of the role is very much what you would expect from a Project Manager role: scheduling, communicating, follow-up, logistics, supporting design and delivery of workshops and guiding, managing and delegating tasks to the RAL team. In addition to this, the Project Manager manages RAL’s budget and reporting requirements and builds the strategic partnerships that are so crucial to increasing the Lab’s impact in Alberta and across the Prairies.
What makes the Project Manager role a tad bit unusual is the Project Manager doesn’t technically lead RAL. RAL is a participant-driven project, so the participants ‘lead’ the Lab by determining its direction and what RAL works on. The Project Manager works alongside RAL’s facilitators and Community Animators—the RAL team—who invite, inform, and connect with RAL participants (participants are committed agricultural producers and agri-food value chain leaders). Working with these three groups, the Project Manager builds out and maintains a bigger picture of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab at all times.
The Project Manager is effectively the Rural Routes’ point person for RAL. The Project Manager has to stay up to date on key issues, ‘who is who’ in the regenerative agriculture space and have a good sense of what is happening within the Lab. Anticipating next steps for RAL will also be important in ensuring the Lab has the resources it needs as it evolves.
Experience in facilitating and hosting groups is a plus; flexibility, strong listening skills, planning and project management are required and; thinking outside of the box is helpful. Afterall, Rural Routes is in the solutions business.
What is the Regenerative Agriculture Lab?The “Lab” part of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab may evoke images of scientists in white coats in a research facility. A “participant-driven project” may sound like some sort of Lord of the Flies-esque management nightmare. Rest assured, the Regenerative Agriculture Lab is neither.
RAL is a social innovation lab where participants work together through a series of engagements and interactions (e.g. workshops, webinars, collaborative initiatives) to respond to a very timely question:
As regenerative agriculture is an evolving system on the cusp of taking off, how do we ensure growing adoption doesn’t jeopardize its integrity or dilute its potential?
The RAL aims to respond to this question by:
- Hosting a forum for innovation and collaboration for a network of committed regenerative agriculture ‘actors’ in Alberta.
- Celebrating, learning from, and widely sharing the stories of Albertans who have been putting regenerative agriculture practices into action on farms and ranches.
- Working on collaborative initiatives that enable regenerative agriculture to accelerate its awareness and impact across Alberta and the Prairies.
- Co-creating a shared vision of a regenerative agriculture system that the future requires of us.
- Generating strategic initiatives—different forms of collaborative work or projects that participants can undertake together to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic and one of the worst droughts in memory, we successfully completed Phase 1 of RAL in 2021. Phase 1 participants were mainly agricultural producers. Phase 2 is currently underway working with agricultural producers and other stakeholders like extension groups, colleges and research institutes, agricultural inputs companies, government and food and beverage companies.
Employment details:Wages: $30.00-$33.00/hour (depending on level of experience). You will be working as a contractor and are responsible for ensuring that necessary payments for income tax / CPP have been made.
Hours: 30-35 hours/week (depending on level of experience). A typical work week with Rural Routes is Monday to Thursday.
Duration: Rural Routes is currently fundraising to extend this role beyond February 28, 2025. There is the possibility of a contract extension if we are successful in our fundraising efforts.
Location: Alberta. While this is a remote position, the successful candidate must reside in Alberta to participate in in-person gatherings and events.
Qualifications:* Strong planning and interpersonal communication skills * Previous project management experience * Knowledge of agriculture and/or rural Alberta social, economic and environmental issues * Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation including agricultural and/or nature-based climate solutions, especially regenerative agriculture * Experience in developing and stewarding relationships with potential and current partners * Strong team communication skills, especially when working with the facilitation team (external consultants), participants, RR2CS team and partners * Experience and comfort in using online tools (e.g. Google G-Suite, Trello, Slack, Asana) and working virtually, as this is a remote position
Assets: Ability to communicate clearly and confidently * An inclusive and supportive management style * Experience in fundraising, especially completing grant applications * Awareness of social innovation labs and related approaches * A willingness to problem solve to overcome the challenges and evolution the Lab may face * Related to the above, an ability to ask for help when needing clarity or support * Natural ability to take charge, speak up, and make sure others are heard * Experience or understanding relevant to one or more of the RAL strategic initiatives: supply chain distribution; data compilation; land ownership models; biodiversity and; agricultural extension services. * A sense of humor. Listen to our podcast episodes The Coordinators, What We Do and 50 More* to better understand our sense of humor.
Requirements and expectations: Report to the Executive Director * Participate in 2 weekly team meetings: one with the RR2CS team and one with the RAL team * Overnight travel*. Typically, RAL has four 2-day in-person events per year. In addition to this, Rural Routes has two 2-3 day team building meetings per year. Your mileage and accommodation will be covered by Rural Routes and if child care is a barrier to participation, we’ll work with you to try and address it. Most of our team has kids so we get it. * Using online tools like WordPress, Google G-Suite, Zoom, Trello, Asana and Slack * Keep track of and manage your own hours, invoices and expense claims
How to apply:Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as one PDF and email it to info@rr2cs.ca. Please include “RAL Project Manager Application” in the subject line of your email.
Only considered candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Applications will be reviewed every month until the successful candidate is found.
The post Project Manager – Regenerative Agriculture Lab appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Project Manager – Regenerative Agriculture Lab appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) shines a spotlight on the climate solutions that Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities can benefit from. RR2CS is happy to announce that we are seeking a Projects Director to lead our two unique initiatives —the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL) and our Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP)—and join our great team of community organizers, facilitators and communications specialists.
About us:At RR2CS, we’re on a mission to cultivate climate solutions in rural Alberta. Through innovative projects and community collaboration, we’re helping pave the way for a more resilient future. From regenerative agriculture to Indigenous-led initiatives, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and empowering local communities.
As the Projects Director, you’ll be at the heart of our efforts. You’ll play a pivotal role by steering and guiding our projects, engaging stakeholders, and securing funding and exploring alternative income streams that propel us forward.
Key responsibilities:Project Management and Team Support:
- Be the guiding light for our project managers, proactively identifying and addressing project challenges and obstacles to ensure their success and smooth project execution.
- Work hand-in-hand with our teams to design and deliver workshops, webinars, and other interactive events.
- Nurture a culture of collaboration and inclusion that makes RR2CS a great place to work.
Communications, Organization, and Logistics:
- Support the Communications Coordinator in producing compelling communications and identifying unique strategies that bring our projects to life and engage our audience.
- Keep our projects running like a well-oiled machine by coordinating logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- Dive into grant writing and sponsorship development, identifying funding opportunities and building relationships with sponsors to support our projects.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Foster meaningful connections with our advisory committees, including Blackfoot Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
- Build bridges with external organizations and partners, forging relationships that benefit our projects and the communities we serve.
Resource Management:
- Keep a close eye on the purse strings, managing budgets and resources with care and precision.
- Rally the troops and recruit participants for our projects, tapping into our partnerships and network.
Who you are:You’re awesome. Some might say you’re a wizard at the three C’s: communication, coordinating, and comfortability. You make people feel welcomed and wanted. The past few years have been hard, but you’ve taken the changes in stride, and can thrive when working remotely and independently. You understand the challenges of managing a team that works independently too, so you strive to stay connected and positive. We’re not the type to hover over your shoulder, asking “Whatcha doing? Whatcha doing?”, which you’re relieved to hear. At the same time, the rest of the RR2CS team is there to help during times of uncertainty or when clarification is needed, which you greatly appreciate.
You see mistakes as an opportunity for growth. You know how and when to pivot, and when to ask for help. We’re all in this together, after all, and a high tide raises all boats.
You’re a delight to speak with, thoughtful, flexible, and passionate about Mokaksin (traditional Blackfoot knowledge), agriculture, empowering rural communities and food security (or maybe it is all of the above).
If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you!
What we need:Full transparency: this may be the strangest Projects Director role you’ve ever come across. It also might be one of the more exciting ones you’ve seen recently, because unique initiatives like RAL and SAP require unique leadership.
Both of our current projects are participant-driven, so the participants ‘lead’ the project by determining its direction and what activities the project should undertake. The Projects Director works alongside the project managers and community coordinators who invite, inform, and connect with participants. Working with these groups, the Projects Director builds out and maintains a bigger picture of the projects at all times.
The Projects Director has to stay up-to-date on key issues and have a good sense of what is happening within each project. Anticipating next steps will also be important in ensuring the projects have the resources it needs to grow and evolve.
Experience in facilitating and hosting groups is a plus; flexibility, strong listening skills, planning and project management are required and; thinking outside of the box is helpful. Afterall, Rural Routes is in the solutions business.
What is the Regenerative Agriculture Lab?RAL is a social innovation lab where participants work together through a series of engagements (e.g. workshops and webinars) and collaborative initiatives to respond to a very timely question:
As regenerative agriculture is an evolving system on the cusp of taking off, how do we ensure growing adoption doesn’t jeopardize its integrity or dilute its potential?
RAL aims to respond to this question by:
- Hosting a forum for innovation and collaboration for a network of committed regenerative agriculture ‘actors’ in Alberta.
- Celebrating, learning from, and widely sharing the stories of Albertans who have been putting regenerative agriculture practices into action on farms and ranches.
- Working on collaborative initiatives that enable regenerative agriculture to accelerate its awareness and impact across Alberta and the Prairies.
- Co-creating a shared vision of a regenerative agriculture system that the future requires of us.
- Generating strategic initiatives—different forms of collaborative work or projects that participants can undertake together to accelerate adoption of regenerative agriculture.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic and one of the worst droughts in memory, we successfully completed Phase 1 of RAL in 2021. Phase 1 participants were mainly agricultural producers. Phase 2 is currently underway working with agricultural producers and other stakeholders like extension groups, colleges and research institutes, agricultural inputs companies, government and food and beverage companies. Phase 3 starts at the beginning of April, with lots of scope for this role to develop RAL as it moves into this new stage.
What is the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project?SAP empowers Siksikaitsitapi agricultural producers and traditional harvesters with traditional knowledge, resources and peers to engage with and implement culturally-appropriate agricultural climate solutions (i.e. they align with Blackfoot culture). The vision of SAP is the widespread adoption of these solutions within the Siksikaitsitapi helping to address the social, economic and environmental issues its members and many Indigenous Peoples face.
SAP began its journey in 2021 and in 2023-2024, the project aims to build a collaborative platform for Siksikaitsitapi members to learn together and decide on two things:
- which agricultural climate solutions align with Blackfoot culture, and
- how these solutions can positively impact community health and food security.
‘Building’ this collaborative platform looks a little something like this:
- Organizing ‘community convening moments’ (e.g. meetings, workshops, field days) for Blackfoot agricultural producers and harvesters to learn about and discuss agricultural climate solutions together and explore where they intersect with traditional knowledge, food security and community health.
- Celebrating, widely sharing and learning from Blackfoot success stories in land stewardship by using Rural Routes’ tried and tested communications tools (e.g. podcast, Farmer’s Blog, videos) to support and supplement the conversations happening in the community convening moments.
There are likely project activities we haven’t even thought of yet for SAP and that’s the beauty of a participant-driven project. If it fits into the ‘bucket’ of agricultural climate solutions that align with Siksikaitsitapiissinni or Blackfoot culture and can address either community health or food security, we can consider it for the project. Don’t let this job posting hold you back.
Employment details:Wages: $35.00-$38.00/hour (depending on level of experience). You will be working as a contractor and are responsible for ensuring that necessary payments for income tax / CPP have been made.
Hours: 32-40 hours/week (depending on level of experience). A typical work week with Rural Routes is Monday to Thursday.
Location: Alberta. While this is a remote position, the successful candidate must reside in Alberta to participate in in-person gatherings and events.
Qualifications:* Strong planning and interpersonal communication skills * Previous project management experience * Knowledge of agriculture and/or rural Alberta social, economic and environmental issues * Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation including agricultural and/or nature-based climate solutions, especially regenerative agriculture * Experience in developing and stewarding relationships with potential and current partners * Strong team-communications skills, especially when working with project participants, RR2CS team and partners * Experience and comfort in using online tools (e.g. Google G-Suite, Trello, Slack, Asana) and working virtually, as this is a remote position
Assets:* Previous Projects Director experience * Knowledge of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) culture * Ability to communicate clearly and confidently * An inclusive and supportive management style * Experience in fundraising, especially completing grant applications * Awareness of social innovation labs and related approaches * A willingness to problem solve to overcome the challenges and evolution the Lab may face * Related to the above, an ability to ask for help when needing clarity or support * Natural ability to take charge, speak up, and make sure others are heard * Experience or understanding relevant to one or more of the RAL strategic initiatives: supply chain distribution; data compilation; land ownership models; biodiversity and; agricultural extension services. * A sense of humor. Listen to our podcast episodes The Coordinators, What We Do and 50 More to better understand our sense of humor.
Requirements and expectations:* Report to the Executive Director * Participate in weekly team meetings * Overnight travel. Typically, RAL has four 2-day in-person events per year and SAP will likely have 3 one-day, in-person events per year. In addition to this, Rural Routes has two 2-3 day team building meetings per year. Your mileage and accommodation will be covered by Rural Routes and if child care is a barrier to participation, we’ll work with you to try and address it. Most of our team has kids so we get it. * Using online tools like WordPress, Google G-Suite, Zoom, Trello, Asana and Slack * Keep track of and manage your own hours, invoices and expense claims
How to apply:Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as one PDF and email it to info@rr2cs.ca. Please include “Projects Director Application” in the subject line of your email.
Only considered candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Applications will be reviewed every month until the successful candidate is found.
The post Project Director appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Project Director appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Wrapping up our Stories of Regeneration tour, we land in Ottawa at Just Food Community Farm, a 150-acre farmstead located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt that is championing small-scale, viable agriculture businesses and initiatives like Chi Garden and Urban Fresh Produce.
Dedicated to cultivating a thriving local food economy and sustainable farming sector, Just Food integrates agroecology-based conservation with land stewardship. The farm is a testament to how community-led initiatives can redefine our food systems, offering food sovereignty for all, including newcomers to Canada. Its Start-up Farm Program addresses the critical barrier of land access, turning aspiring individuals into farmers and fostering community regeneration.
Highlighting this unique model, Chadwick Lewis (Urban Fresh Produce) and Sun Shan (Chi Garden), participants of the program, share their experiences in our series finale, underscoring the farm’s role in sustainable agriculture and community building.
Highlights:* 6:45 – What is Just Food Community Farm? * 15:25 – Chadwick and Sun Shan talk about their individual farms and how they got involved in agriculture. * 23:14 – What regenerative practices do they implement on their individual farms? * 34:33 – Sun Shan and Chadwick talk about food sovereignty. * 46:02 – How can we support new Canadians who want to get involved in agriculture and ensure economic viability? * 1:02:31 – Why did Sun Shan and Chadwick choose farming?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map * Just Food Community Farm
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- EP 47 – The Regen Mindset
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
- EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
- EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
- EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
- EP 76 – Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part 8
- EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Communities – SoR Part 9
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
On the second-last stop in our Stories of Regeneration tour, we returned to Alberta, making a stop at Peony Farms in Lacombe.
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.
Highlights:* 5:22 – Peter shares the history of Peony Farms. * 6:46 – How did Peter become aware of regenerative agriculture principles and practices? * 9:15 – Why did the farm start heading down the regenerative agriculture path? * 15:25 – Peter and Craig talk about the regenerative practices they use on the farm. * 22:48 – Have Peter and Craig seen benefits from implementing regenerative agriculture? * 25:06 – What is forage-finished beef? * 30:53 – Why raise piedmontese cattle? * 36:35 – Peter and Craig talk about testing. * 46:34 – What role can consumers play in supporting the adoption of regenerative agriculture? * 51:29 – What is the regenerative mindset?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map * Peony Farms
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- EP 47 – The Regen Mindset
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
- EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
- EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
- EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
- EP 76 – Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part 8
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
In these final three episodes of the series, we’ll be doing some light exploration into the relationship between society and regenerative agriculture and how one can help advance the other. But the real meat and potatoes of the last three episodes, just like in all the other episodes in this series, will be about getting to know and understand the boots on the ground folks who are leading the way on this change that we are seeing in the agriculture sector.
Meet Rebecca Harbut and Mike Bomford from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond, BC—prime examples of such trailblazers. Now, you might wonder, how do university professors fit the description of being ‘on the ground’? Well, let me tell you, KPU isn’t just any university; it boasts a farm that lies at the heart of Rebecca and Mike’s endeavors.
Moreover, as we’ve touched upon throughout this podcast series, with Canada’s population nearing the 40 million mark, farm and ranch operators, along with farm laborers, represent a mere fraction—around 1%—of the populace. The takeaway here? It’s going to require a collective effort, involving many of us outside the traditional farming community, to partner with that crucial 1%. This collaboration is key to expanding regenerative agriculture from a niche practice to a widespread one.
Highlights:* 8:33 – Rebecca and Mike help us get to know them better. * 15:31 – How did the land that KPU sits on get involved in agriculture? * 27:22 – What’s taking place on the KPU farm? * 37:14 – What regenerative practices are used on the KPU farm? * 40:13 – Mike talks more about the farm’s crop rotation. * 48:08 – What is the story that KPU farm is trying to tell? * 53:31 – How hard was it for the university to take that leap into establishing an ecosystem? * 58:45 – Why are community partners an important part of the ecosystem at the KPU farm?
Useful links:* Kwantlen Polytechnic University * Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
- EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
- EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
- EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
For this very special French-language episode of the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast, recorded in the late summer of 2023 during the Stories of Regeneration tour, Sara Maranda-Gauvin of Regeneration Canada talked with brothers Vincent and Simon-Pierre Bolduc of La Station: an organic farm and cheese factory in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
The Bolduc brothers are the 4th generation of farmers in their family enterprise. While La Station has been practicing organic farming since their childhood, in 1996, the brothers keep improving on the agricultural practices in place, turning to regenerative agriculture to create a healthy environment for the soil, the livestock and the human beings who are working with both.
Highlights:* 2:45 – Vincent and Simon-Pierre talk about their roles at La Station. * 4:40 – The Bolduc brothers share the story of how they joined the family enterprise. * 9:11 – Vincent and Simon-Pierre describe the farm and the landscape. * 12:51 – Vincent explains the consideration that is given to worker well-being at La Station. * 16:49 – The brothers describe the practices they put in place for animal well-being. * 19:19 – Simon-Pierre and Vincent talk about the evolution of La Station through the generations towards organic and regenerative agriculture. * 26:11 – What does organic dairy production bring to the sector in terms of traceability? * 28:32 – The brothers explain their vision of regenerative agriculture and why they practice it. * 31:39 – The brothers detail the practices in place to promote soil health at La Station. * 39:08 – How does soil and animal health impact the taste of the cheeses produced? * 50:06 – Simon-Pierre and Vincent reflect on the past years’ improvements on the farm and talk about their plans for the future. * 1:01:18 – What can be done to help transition the dairy sector towards regenerative practices?
Useful links:* La Station * Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map * Dedicated Dairy Farms
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
- EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
- EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
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.
During the growing season of 2023 as summer turned into fall, the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast and Regeneration Canada were on the final leg of the Stories of Regeneration tour. After covering most of the Prairies and most of central and eastern Canada in the summer, our months-long journey came to an end in Canada’s two most western provinces around harvest time.
This next phase of our journey brought us to Cawston, British Columbia, acclaimed as the Organic Farming Capital of Canada. At Snowy Mountain Farms, managed by Aaron Goddard and his family, you will find a 12-acre farm that boasts over 70 varieties of fruits such as cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, apples, and quince. Aaron employs regenerative agriculture practices to cultivate and sustain living soils, which are essential for producing fruit that is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients.
Highlights:* 3:20 – Aaron talks about his farm. * 5:55 – Aaron shares the story of how he got into agriculture. * 8:34 – Aaron talks about his family and farmhands. * 13:56 – When was the first time Aaron heard about regenerative agriculture? * 21:02 – Aaron describes the landscape of Snowy Mountain Farms. * 28:27 – Why is diversity important? * 42:50 – What is Aaron doing to help stimulate fungal growth in the soil? * 51:08 – Aaron talks about how, and why, he’s integrated livestock on his farm. * 52:43 – What are some challenges Aaron faces as an agriculture producer? * 56:04 – Why is regenerative agriculture important to Aaron?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * EP 20 – The Brown Revolution * EP 32 – Alley Cropping * EP 39 – New Farmers * EP 41 – New Farmers Part 2 * EP 58 – Fungi in Drought * The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips * Snowy Mountain Farms
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
- EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
2023 was a challenging year for Canadian farmers and ranchers and for humanity in general. We had droughts, wildfires, floods, an affordability crisis and a number of armed conflicts. According to scientists working with the European Union, 2023 smashed temperature records globally.
And yet, someone like Nova Scotia agricultural producer Rachel Lightfoot still finds ways of being optimistic even after her farm got hit by a polar vortex, a dry spring and a very rainy summer all in the same year.
Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.
Highlights:* 3:19 – Rachel shares her farming story. * 8:12 – Rachel shares more about where she farms and the different types of products Lightfoot & Wolfville produce. * 9:47 – What types of farming happen at Lightfoot & Wolfville? * 12:43 – What styles of wine are produced? * 16:51 – What is biodynamic agriculture? * 26:19 – How was Lightfoot & Wolfville established? * 30:40 – Rachel explains how reciprocity works on her farm. * 41:31 – How is biodynamic agriculture helping make Rachel’s farm more resilient? * 46:50 – By implementing these practices, are there benefits that extend outside of the farm? * 51:51 – Why should consumers care about regenerative agriculture? * 58:15 – Why does Rachel care about regenerative agriculture? * 59:21 – How does the winery connect people with their product?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Lightfoot & Wolfville * Regeneration Canada Farm Map
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
- Regenerating Rural Opportunities
- Regenerating Humility
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Fifth generation farmer, Rébeka Frazer-Chiasson believes strongly in the practices of regenerative agriculture. Located in Rogersville, New Brunswick, her farm Ferme Terre Partagee currently operates as a coop based on common values and objectives including peasant agroecology and food sovereignty.
Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.
Highlights:* 5:42 – How did Rébeka come to implement regenerative agriculture practices on her farm? * 11:55 – Rébeka shares her farming story. * 17:39 – Rébeka talks about the cooperative operating on her family’s land. * 23:16 – What led to the decision to create a coop? * 29:05 – Why doesn’t Rébeka sell her product to the big grocery store chain? * 31:52 – Rébeka shares the unique challenges of the 2023 growing season. * 38:00 – What does biodiversity mean to Rébeka and Ferme Terre Partagee * 40:01 – What are some of the challenges of doing the closed loop system? * 47:41 – Rébeka talks about the impact that local wildlife has on Ferme Terre Partagee. * 54:23 – What methods does Rébeka use to support biodiversity? * 1:01:35 – Why should consumers care about regenerative agriculture? * 1:03:12 – Why should consumers support producers practicing regenerative agriculture? * 1:13:57 – Why does Rébeka care about regenerative agriculture?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Ferme Terre Partagee * On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend downloading and listening to:
- Regenerating Rural Opportunities
- EP 32 – Alley Cropping
- EP 37 – Climate Farm Plan
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
- EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
- Experimenting with No-Till Regenerative Agriculture – Steel Pony Farms – Red Deer, AB
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Soil is very much alive. And hungry too. Some estimates go as far as saying that there is more life in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the planet. You just need a microscope to see the vast majority of it. Or you do what grain farmer Blake Vince did, and bury a pair of “tighty whities” (underwear) in the soil to produce proof of the existence of this vast and diverse soil microbial community.
In the soil, you’ve got well-known critters like earthworms, bacteria and fungi and lesser-known ones like protozoa and nematodes, who have this tendency to eat the bacteria and fungi. In this bustling environment where a lot of things are eating each other, there is an exchange between soil organisms and plants so both sides of the equation get what they need to survive and thrive and produce food for the rest of us living above ground. This interaction between the soil and plants is something that fascinated Blake Vince, who farms mainly soya and corn in southwestern Ontario, it fascinated him at a young age.
Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.
Highlights:* 4:42 – Blake Vince shares some information about himself. * 6:50 – Did Blake always want to be a farmer? * 8:31 – Blake explains his farm’s environment and typography. * 9:45 – What have been some of the challenges for Blake this year? * 12:32 – What is tile drainage? * 18:57 – Blake talks about no-tillage. * 36:07 – What else is Blake doing to maintain soil health? * 41:55 – Blake talks about his crop rotation. * 51:16 – How can consumers support farmers who are in the process of weaning their soil off of inputs like fertilizers? * 59:13 – Does Blake find it hard, being one of only a few producers in his community farming in an “unconventional” way? * 1:07:06 – Blake shares his final thoughts.
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series * Soil Your Undies “The Cotton Test” * Kiss The Ground
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend downloading and listening to:
- EP 20 – The Brown Revolution
- EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
During the growing season of 2023, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions teamed up with Regeneration Canada to connect with agricultural producers across Canada who are tackling the pressing social and environmental crises through the adoption of regenerative agriculture.
One such farm is Axten Farms, situated in Minton, Saskatchewan. With a steadfast commitment to growing healthy grains, Axten Farms takes a regenerative approach focused on enhancing their land’s soil biodiversity, creating a thriving environment for food production. Their unwavering dedication is captured in their motto, “Loyal to the Soil.”
Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.
Highlights:* 3:42 – Tannis and Derek Axten share their farming experience and background. * 8:11 – What are the future plans for Axten’s farm? * 11:20 – Derek shares his experience learning about intercropping. * 15:55 – What are the benefits of intercropping? * 18:42 – What are the outcomes that Tannis and Derek have seen with intercropping? * 23:58 – Derek and Tannis talk about where their farm is situated. * 25:32 – How can soil be fragile? * 28:10 – Why do Tannis and Derek keep their soil covered? * 31:54 – How do they keep their soil covered? * 37:05 – The Axtens talk about regenerative agriculture practices that they use on their farm. * 42:30 – What are some of the inputs that the Axtens use on the farm? * 47:34 – Is farming with a regenerative mindset more than ‘just farming’? * 51:03 – What are the benefits of regenerative agriculture? * 56:12 – Why do the Axtens implement regenerative agriculture practices on their farm? * 58:23 – Derek talks about the differences between organic agriculture and regenerative agriculture practices. * 1:04:12 – What can others do to increase the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices?
Useful links:* Stories of Regeneration * Stories of Regeneration Short Films Series * Gabe Brown – Soil Health Academy * Axten Farms
Want to learn more?If you want to learn more, we recommend downloading and listening to:
- Ep 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
- Intercropping: Experimenting for Diversity – Andy Kirschenman
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.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
If you’re still wondering how best to incorporate regenerative technologies into your daily operations then you might need a crash course, or at least a motivating podcast episode, that speaks to the business of bacteria. In this kick-off episode of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project podcast series, we sit down with Joshua Day Chief to discuss how growing good bacteria can recharge your soil, plant and water health to make way for producing a better product.
In the summer of 2023, a diverse group of storytellers, organizers, and strategists visited 10 farms and ranches in Canada. These farms and ranches were carefully chosen to represent different aspects of Canadian agriculture, including fruit, grains, beef, veggies, and even a vineyard. The purpose of this project, which included videos, articles, and a podcast series, was not solely focused on what these farms produced, but rather how they produced it. These farmers and ranchers were passionate about not only producing high-quality, nutrient-rich food, but also about fostering community connections, caring for the land, contributing to ecosystem stewardship, and addressing global issues like climate change. And to top it off, some of these farmers were even enjoying the process.
The Stories of Regeneration podcast series is a 10-episode, in-depth look into the practices, motivations and lives of a dozen agricultural producers who are determined to remain profitable and regenerate the land, communities and ecosystems through their agricultural and agribusiness practices.
Have you ever found yourself scratching your head trying to make sense of all those terms like polycultures, cocktail crops, intercropping, cover crops, companion cropping, and relay crops? It's understandable! They all seem to be part of the vast landscape of good land stewardship practices, like sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, agroecology, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture. Oh, and let's not forget our personal favorite—agricultural climate solutions. But here's the thing: are these different systems truly distinct, or are they more closely related than we think?
The post EP66 Polycultures appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP66 Polycultures appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Join Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and the Data is Beautiful Initiative of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab as we discuss how regenerative agriculture practices can benefit you and your soils.
The post Cultivating Resilience Through Regenerative Agriculture August 17th, 2023 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post Cultivating Resilience Through Regenerative Agriculture August 17th, 2023 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Join Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and the Train the Healer Initiative of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab in a hands-on poly-crop learning opportunity.
The post Poly-crops: Harnessing Grazing Power August 10th, 2023 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post Poly-crops: Harnessing Grazing Power August 10th, 2023 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Our hope is that the series can help with the mental health issues the agriculture sector is grappling with right now. Farming and ranching are stressful businesses, but that’s brought to a whole new level when drought hits. By equipping cow-calf producers with information and words of advice from colleagues and peers in the sector on the best ways to get through a drought, things might not be as stressful in the next drought. Things might not look so bleak either.
In this final episode of the series, we are talking to Ralph Thrall of McIntyre Ranch who shares with us his experience managing grass and cows in a pretty dry part of the province.
The post EP65 Grazing Through Drought appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP65 Grazing Through Drought appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Dugouts play an important role in cow-calf operations across Alberta. While some farmers have access to well water, most rely on these man-made reservoirs to provide the necessary water that their cattle need to thrive. However, building, repairing, or expanding these dugouts can come at a high cost, which is why it's smart for producers to seek advice and resources before breaking ground.
The post EP64 Building Dugouts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP64 Building Dugouts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
What do you do when grass, which is often considered a finite resource, is limited by drought and cold weather? In this episode, we discuss management practices that you can use to extend the growing season and avoid feeding expensive bales of hay earlier than necessary.
Ben Stuart, who runs two successful farming operations (one in Saskatchewan and the other in Hardisty, Alberta), uses stockpile grazing to extend the grazing season on his farms. But if the grass isn’t growing, how do you stockpile what isn’t available? That’s where preparation comes in. Join us as we discuss stockpile grazing and all the different forms it can take.
Highlights:* 3:07 – Ben paints us a picture of what his operations look like. * 4:49 – What are some of the environmental factors that you need to work with? * 7:17 – What are the different management practices that fall into stockpile grazing? * 17:22 – Ben talks to us about drought tolerance with monocultures versus mixed crops. * 20:30 – When should you begin stockpiling forage and how can rotational grazing help? * 26:16 – Ben shares his advice in relation to the growing season and what to do when facing a drought.
Useful Links:* Young Agrarians
Want to learn more?If you’d like to learn more about managing moisture on your land, we recommend listening to:
- Episode 24 – AMP Grazing
- Episode 40 – Grazing for Water Infiltration
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP63 Extended Grazing appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP63 Extended Grazing appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
In a drought, you’re probably more focused on the lack of water falling from the sky than the water table beneath your feet. We’re talking about the groundwater that contributes to the wells and wetlands that have various uses on ranches, from watering cattle to creating critical habitats for wildlife to providing water to do the dishes with. Making sure that the groundwater gets a chance to replenish during a wet year is a great little savings account for your ranch, your neighbors and your community during a dry year.
But what exactly is groundwater and what role does it play during a drought? We talk to University of Calgary professor Dr. Masaki Hiyashi in this episode to learn more about groundwater and why it’s important during dry times.
Highlights:* 1:52 – Dr. Hiyashi shares his personal connection with agriculture. * 3:10 – What is the Groundwater Recharge in the Prairies Project (GRIP)? * 4:27 – Dr. Hiyashi shares some interesting facts about groundwater replenishing in the Prairies. * 6:12 – What is groundwater? * 7:38 – Dr. Hiyashi shares the definition of drought. * 9:06 – Why did dugouts appear to be lower in 2022 than they were in 2021? * 11:35 – How long does it take for groundwater to recharge? * 13:04 – What can cow-calf producers do to help replenish their groundwater in preparation for drought? * 15:49 – Why do wetlands deplete the water table? * 18:06 – Dr. Hayashi provides recommendations on what to consider when it comes to management practices in relation to groundwater.
Useful Links:* Rocky View Well Watch * Young Agrarians
Want to learn more?If you’d like to learn more about managing moisture on your land, we recommend listening to:
- Episode 4: Farming with Biodiversity Pt 2
- Episode 9: Adapted Agriculture
- Episode 11: Soil Carbon Intro
- Episode 23: Water & Adaption
- Episode 40: Grazing for Water Infiltration
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP62 Recharging Groundwater appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP62 Recharging Groundwater appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Have you ever given any thought to what the perfect cow would be for the conditions we experience in Alberta? Between the punishing winter temperatures, frequent droughts and the occasional flood, perhaps the ideal cow would be a cross between a wooly mammoth and a camel with gills.
All jokes aside, we know how stressful a drought can be for a producer. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Susan Marcus of Lakeland College to talk about selecting and managing cattle traits so that your operation can be profitable during a good year while also getting you through a dry year.
Highlights:* 3:29 – Dr. Marcus shares her background and what research she’s currently leading. * 7:17 – What roles do breed and genetics have in a cow-calf producer’s drought plan? * 9:48 – Dr. Marcus explains why fertility is becoming more influenced by the management environment rather than genetics. * 11:14 – Why is it important to pay close attention to breeds and genetics when planning for a drought? * 16:48 – Which benchmarks and traits indicate a cow will likely stay healthy and productive during a drought? * 19:46 – Are there cattle behaviors that can tell a producer if a cow is more drought-resilient than others? * 23:07 – Dr. Marcus shares tips on how to determine which cows should be culled. * 26:09 – What is epigenetics and what role does it play when planning for a drought? * 29:14 – Dr. Marcus shares her final words of advice.
Useful Links:* Lakeland College
Want to learn more?This is the first episode we’ve produced on trait selection in cattle, so we don’t really have any other episodes for you to listen to on the same topic yet. But if you’re a fan of ruminants, you should listen to our very first episode, Cows and Climate Change, or Episode 49 – Bringing Back Iinnii, which is the Blackfoot word for bison.
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP61 Managing Traits appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP61 Managing Traits appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Welcome back to the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast’s Getting Through Drought series, which looks at the best management practices cow-calf producers in Alberta can use to build up the resiliency of their ranch against drought.
For the remainder of the series, we’ll mainly be focusing on grazing management and adjusting grazing during a drought. To start things off, ranchers Blusette and Mark Campbell, out in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan joined us to share some of what they’ve learned about grazing and herd management.
Highlights:* 3:18 – Mark and Blusette share their experiences ranching at B-C Ranch. * 6:08 – Where does the name B-C Ranch come from? * 7:01 – The Campbells outline some of the environmental conditions they work with on the ranch. * 12:14 – What were the key differences between managing the herd and grass in a good year versus a drought year? * 17:32 – How do Mark and Blusette prepare for a drought? * 20:58 – What, from the drought of 2021, has stuck with them to this day? * 25:35 – The Campbells share nuggets of wisdom when it comes to the human side of drought planning and implementation * 31:08 – Final words of advice from the Campbells for getting through a drought.
Useful Links:* B-C Ranch
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes to learn more about grazing and people management:
-
- Episode 52 – Drought Plans
- Episode 50 – 50 More
- Episode 40 – Grazing for Water Infiltration
- Episode 27 – The Lundgards
- Episode 25 – Don Ruzicka
- Episode 24 – AMP Grazing
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP60 Grazing & People appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP60 Grazing & People appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Sometimes the public’s perception of agriculture doesn’t quite fit the reality. For many, when thinking about agriculture, the farmer is often tall, broad – and let’s be honest – masculine. With the number of female farm operators increasing, you’ve got to wonder if this outdated image is about to change.
You may be wondering why we’re doing an episode on women in agriculture, and how that relates to land stewardship. Well, you can’t have land stewardship without land stewards. With women making up 32% of farm operators in Alberta and increasing, we wanted to learn more about what it’s like to be a female producer in Alberta.
Highlights:* What are the challenges and barriers that women face in agriculture? + 5:28 – Alberta beef producer Karen Schmidt + 8:31 – Agrologist Karin Lindquist + 12:07 – Grain producer Jana von Freier + 14:55 – Shiana Younger, cattle producer and RR2CS Community Animator * What do you think is unique to women that makes them strong stewards of the land? + 17:50 – Karen Lindquist + 18:25 – Jana von Freier + 20:18 – Shiana Younger + 21:09 – Karen Schmidt * In a future perfect world, what’s in place so women can achieve everything that they want in agriculture? + 24:52 – Shiana Younger + 25:55 – Jana von Freier + 26:54 – Karen Lindquist + 27:29 – Karen Schmidt
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes:
- Episode 39 – New Farmers
- Episode 41 – New Farmers Part 2
- Statistics Canada: Women working in agriculture
- Canadian Food Studies. (2018). New Farmers and Food Policies in Canada [Article]
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP59 Women In Ag appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP59 Women In Ag appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) shines a spotlight on the climate solutions that Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities can benefit from. RR2CS is happy to announce that we are seeking a Project Manager for our flagship initiative—the Regenerative Agriculture Lab or RAL—and join our great team of community organizers, facilitators and communications specialists.The Project Manager will be responsible for the following activities:
- Communications, organizing, and logistics for RAL
- Managing, supporting and assisting the RAL team in design and delivery of workshops, webinars and other participant interactions within the Lab.
- Networking and maintaining great partnerships with outside organizations
- Budgeting and analytics of RAL and its participants
- Securing the resources and providing the support participants require to be engaged members of the Lab.
- Supporting the overall ‘health’ of the Lab (i.e. make sure RAL is a well-oiled machine)
The Project Manager will contribute to and support the rest of the RR2CS team with the following activities:
- blog, podcast, video production
- social media channels and the website
- webinars, workshops, field days and other social innovation labs
- grant writing and sponsorship development
- meetings with stakeholders
- attending fairs, expos and events on behalf of RR2CS
Who you areYou’re awesome. Some might say you’re a wizard at the three C’s: communication, coordinating, and comfortability. You make people feel welcomed and wanted. The past few years have been hard, but you’ve taken the changes in stride, and can thrive when working remotely and independently. You understand the challenges of managing a team that works independently too, so you strive to stay connected and positive. We’re not the type to hover over your shoulder, asking “Whatcha doing? Whatcha doing?”, which you’re relieved to hear. At the same time, the rest of the RR2CS team is there to help during times of uncertainty or when clarification is needed, which you greatly appreciate.
You see mistakes as an opportunity for growth. You know how and when to pivot, and when to ask for help. We’re all in this together, after all, and a high tide raises all boats.
You’re a delight to speak with, thoughtful, flexible, and passionate about agriculture and empowering rural communities. Honestly, you’re almost too excited for the future of regenerative agriculture in Alberta (we love that!). You believe in people and their ability to bring about positive change.
If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you!
What is a Project Manager?Full transparency: this may be the strangest project management role you’ve ever come across. It also might be one of the more exciting ones you’ve seen recently, so there’s that too.
Part of the role is very much what you would expect from a Project Manager role: scheduling, communicating, follow-up, logistics, supporting design and delivery of workshops and guiding, managing and delegating tasks to the RAL team. In addition to this, the Project Manager manages RAL’s budget and reporting requirements and builds the strategic partnerships that are so crucial to increasing the Lab’s impact in Alberta and across the Prairies.
What makes the Project Manager role a tad bit unusual is the Project Manager doesn’t technically lead RAL. RAL is a participant-driven project, so the participants ‘lead’ the Lab by determining its direction and what RAL works on. The Project Manager works alongside RAL’s facilitators and Community Animators—the RAL team—who invite, inform, and connect with RAL participants (participants are committed agricultural producers and agri-food value chain leaders). Working with these three groups, the Project Manager builds out and maintains a bigger picture of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab at all times.
The Project Manager is effectively the Rural Routes’ point person for RAL. The Project Manager has to stay up to date on key issues, ‘who is who’ in the regenerative agriculture space and have a good sense of what is happening within the Lab. Anticipating the next steps for RAL will also be important in ensuring the Lab has the resources it needs as it evolves.
Experience in facilitating and hosting groups is a plus; flexibility, strong listening skills, planning and project management are required and; thinking outside of the box is helpful. Afterall, Rural Routes is in the solutions business.
What is the Regenerative Agriculture Lab?The “Lab” part of the Regenerative Agriculture Lab may evoke images of scientists in white coats in a research facility. A “participant-driven project” may sound like some sort of Lord of the Flies-esque management nightmare. Rest assured, the Regenerative Agriculture Lab is neither.
RAL is a social innovation lab where participants work together through a series of engagements and interactions (e.g. workshops, webinars, collaborative initiatives) to respond to a very timely question:
As regenerative agriculture is an evolving system on the cusp of taking off, how do we ensure growing adoption doesn’t jeopardize its integrity or dilute its potential?
The RAL aims to respond to this question by:
- Hosting a forum for innovation and collaboration for a network of committed regenerative agriculture ‘actors’ in Alberta.
- Celebrating, learning from, and widely sharing the stories of Albertans who have been putting regenerative agriculture practices into action on farms and ranches.
- Working on collaborative initiatives that enable regenerative agriculture to accelerate its awareness and impact across Alberta and the Prairies.
- Co-creating a shared vision of a regenerative agriculture system that the future requires of us.
- Generating strategic initiatives—different forms of collaborative work or projects that participants can undertake together to accelerate adoption of regenerative agriculture.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic and one of the worst droughts in memory, we successfully completed Phase 1 of RAL in 2021. Phase 1 participants were mainly agricultural producers. Phase 2 is currently underway working with agricultural producers and other stakeholders like extension groups, colleges and research institutes, agricultural inputs companies, government and food and beverage companies.
Wages: $30.00-$33.00/hour (depending on the level of experience). You will be working as a contractor and are responsible for ensuring that necessary payments for income tax / CPP have been made.
Hours: 30-35 hours/week (depending on the level of experience). A typical work week with Rural Routes is Monday to Thursday.
Duration: May 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024. Rural Routes is currently fundraising to extend this role beyond March 31, 2024. There is the possibility of a contract extension if we are successful in our fundraising efforts.
Location: Alberta.
Qualifications:
- Strong planning and interpersonal communication skills
- Previous project management experience
- Knowledge of agriculture and/or rural Alberta’s social, economic and environmental issues
- Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation including agricultural and/or nature-based climate solutions, especially regenerative agriculture
- Experience in developing and stewarding relationships with potential and current partners
- Strong team-communications skills, especially when working with the facilitation team (external consultants), participants, RR2CS team and partners
- Experience and comfort in using online tools (e.g. Google G-Suite, Trello, Slack, Asana) and working virtually, as this is a remote position
Assets:
- Ability to communicate clearly and confidently
- An inclusive and supportive management style
- Experience in fundraising, especially completing grant applications
- Awareness of social innovation labs and related approaches
- A willingness to problem solve to overcome the challenges and evolution the Lab may face
- Related to the above, an ability to ask for help when needing clarity or support
- Natural ability to take charge, speak up, and make sure others are heard
- Experience or understanding relevant to one or more of the RAL strategic initiatives: supply chain distribution; data compilation; land ownership models; biodiversity and; agricultural extension services.
- A sense of humor. Listen to our podcast episodes The Coordinators, What We Do and 50 More to better understand our sense of humor.
Requirements and Expectations:
- Report to the Director
- Participate in 2 weekly team meetings: one with the RR2CS team and one with the RAL team
- Overnight travel. Typically, RAL has four 2-day in-person events per year. In addition to this, Rural Routes has two 2-3 day team building meetings per year. Your mileage and accommodation will be covered by Rural Routes and if child care is a barrier to participation, we’ll work with you to try and address it. Most of our team has kids so we get it.
- Using online tools like WordPress, Google G-Suite, Zoom, Trello, Asana and Slack
- Keep track of and manage your own hours, invoices and expense claims
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as a PDF and email it to adminrr2cs@stettlerlearning.com by Monday, March 6th, 2023. Please include “Project Manager Application” in the subject line of your email. Only considered candidates will be contacted for interviews.
In the event a successful candidate is not found, the application process will be reopened in late March or early April.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (a Stettler Learning Centre initiative) was established in 2017 to assist Alberta’s agricultural producers and rural communities to become aware of, engage in and implement climate solutions. Rural Routes achieves this through educational and capacity building activities and innovative projects like RAL or our Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project.
The vision of Rural Routes is for all rural Albertans to benefit from the climate solutions that make sense for where they live, work and play.
The post Project Manager appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post Project Manager appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
In recent years, mycorrhizal fungi have become a hot topic, especially when talking about soil health.
You may be wondering how fungi can improve and foster soil health. Well, mycorrhizal fungi are vast networks of nutrient exchange between plants and other microscopic critters you can find in the soil. Fortunately, the management practices for maintaining this conduit of nutrient exchange tend to be the same ones we’d use in good pasture management.
Can this vast network under our feet help out calf-cow producers in a dry year? Dr. Monika Gorzelak of Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada joins us in this episode to help us understand how mycorrhizal fungi can be good for the farm, especially during a drought.
Highlights:* 2:32 – Monica tells us about her background and why she studies mycorrhizal fungi. * 3:47 – What are mycorrhizal fungi? * 5:11 – Why can’t we just call it soil fungi? * 6:45 – What are the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi? * 7:46 – Can mycorrhizal fungi outlast soil bacteria in a drought? * 9:56 – How can cow-calf producers help mycorrhizal fungi bounce back after a drought? * 11:54 – Can mycorrhizal fungi help with water infiltration and water exchange? * 12:58 – Monica shares stories from the drought of 2021. * 15:18 – How do mycorrhizal fungi bounce back when the plants it supports die? * 18:40 – Monica provides final advice to producers who, in the future, will face drought.
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes to learn more about soil health and maximizing soil function:
- Episode 11 – Soil Carbon Intro
- Episode 17 – Soil Biology
- Episode 20 – The Brown Revolution
- Episode 31 – Soil Carbon Re-Intro
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP58 Fungi in Drought appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP58 Fungi in Drought appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Riparian areas can be a value-added project of the wetlands on your land if you choose to leave your wetlands intact. The wetland itself is great for maintaining the water table and can become an important source of water for your cattle.
The value added to a wetland that can be found in a riparian area is seemingly endless: water filtration, food for wild game, habitat for native pollinators and forage if you find yourself in a dry year.
In this episode, you’ll be hearing from Art Goerzen of Adullam Ranch to get an additional perspective on why riparian areas can be handy in times of drought.
Highlights:* 1:28 – Art shares his backstory. * 8:43 – What lessons has Art learned from bale grazing? * 10:35 – What are some of the environmental factors that impact Adullam Ranch? * 13:11 – What is the “three layers system” and why is it a key part of Art’s drought plan? * 15:19 – How does Art manage the riparian areas on his land? * 18:01 – Art shares how his riparian areas helped his operation during the 2021 drought. * 24:24 – Art provides some words of advice when it comes to surviving drought.
Useful Links:* Brazeau County * ALUS Canada
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes to learn more about riparian areas, drought management and water conservation:
- Episode 3 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 1)
- Episode 4 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 2)
- Episode 5 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 3)
- Episode 55 – Riparian Accounts (Pt 1)
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP57 Riparian Accounts Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP57 Riparian Accounts Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
You could argue that compared to other livestock, cattle are pretty simple to feed – get them grazing during the growing season and feed them bales in the winter. However, this relatively simple feeding system begins to fall apart when you get hit by drought; forage isn’t growing in your pasture and the price of hay goes through the roof. During a dry year, you might want to look into alternatives to hay that can help your cattle get the baseline nutrition they need and get you and your ranch through the year. In this episode, we are joined by Barry Yaremcio of Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd to learn more about feed alternatives.Highlights:* 1:45 – Barry shares his background. * 3:16 – What types of forage should cows eat? * 3:49 – What types of forage are bad for cows? * 5:59 – Barry shares his top recommendations for feed alternatives. * 8:27 – What should calf-cow producers should think about when purchasing feed alternatives? * 13:28 – How do you determine what rations and amount to feed? * 19:26 – What else should producers be mindful of when using feed alternatives? * 21:50 – Can canola be used as a feed alternative? * 24:30 – Barry shares his advice when planning for a drought.
Useful Links:* Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes to learn more about feed alternatives and how to prepare your operation for a drought:
- Episode 30 – Native Plants
- Episode 51 – Cover Crops
- Episode 52 – Drought Plans
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP56 Feed Additives appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP56 Feed Additives appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
If you manage them properly, riparian areas can be a savings account that you can tap into during a dry year. There are plenty of good reasons for fencing off and protecting bodies of water on your land, like giving biodiversity a boost or keeping water clean for livestock. Not to mention how handy that strip of greenery adjacent to a wetland can be when your pasture isn’t growing or recovering the way you need it to.
In this episode, we’re joined by Duane Movald of Movald Ranches, to learn more about managing and stewarding riparian areas.
Highlights:* 2:18 – Duane shares information about his ranch. * 6:07 – What are the riparian areas like on Duane’s land? * 7:09 – How does Duane manage the riparian areas on his farm? * 8:45 – Duane explains why he values his riparian areas. * 10:07 – What is the best fencing to use when protecting your riparian areas from cattle? * 11:22 – Duane describes why it’s good for the farm to protect riparian areas. * 12:30 – How have beavers impacted Duane’s riparian areas? * 14:09 – Did Duane use the wet riparian area (during a drought) to water the cattle? * 15:37 – How does Duane manage the riparian area versus a regular paddock? * 18:19 – What can the government and communities do to protect riparian areas and wetlands? * 20:43 – Duane provides final advice on what to do next time you’re faced with a drought.
Useful Links:* Movald Farm Makes An Impact * West-Central Forage Association * ALUS Canada * Young Agrarians
Want to learn more?Listen to the following episodes to learn more about riparian areas, drought management and water conservation:
- Episode 3 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 1)
- Episode 4 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 2)
- Episode 5 – Farming with Biodiversity (Pt 3)
Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP55 Riparian Accounts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP55 Riparian Accounts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
When it comes to soil amendments, charcoal is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But if you really think about it, charcoal is carbon that’s been locked up in the same way that coal is carbon, perfectly sequestered. There’s a catch though – you can’t burn it. But if we can’t burn it, how do we activate the carbon in biochar?
In this episode, Rob Lavoie of AirTerra helps us understand how to unlock that carbon and feed those hungry little soil microbes that feed us.
Highlights:* 2:09 – Rob Lavoie shares his background * 2:50 – How is carbon currently captured in agriculture? * 6:21 – What is biochar and how does it benefit the soil? * 7:38 – How is biochar used? * 8:05 – Rob shares how biochar is useful. * 13:34 – Why should you co-compost biochar with other organics? * 17:43 – What are the benefits of using biochar as a feed ingredient? * 19:12 – Rob explains other ways to use biochar. * 21:46 – What are the economics of producing and using biochar in a circular economy?
Useful Links:* AirTerra: www.airterra.com * Biochar in agriculture – A systematic review of 26 global meta-analysis * Wilson Biochar Associates Research Paper “Use of Biochar in Poultry Barns * Wilson and Associates: www.wilsonandassociates.ca * Organic coating on biochar explains its nutrient retention and stimulation of soil fertility
Want to learn more?Our Farmers Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
The post EP54 Biochar appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.The post EP54 Biochar appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
If you live in Alberta and raise cattle, odds are you're going to try every possible way to keep that spring melt, or heavy rain, on your land. A tried and true method of ensuring that water doesn't go wandering off is the dugout.
In this episode, Norine Ambrose, Executive Director of Cows and Fish, helps us understand the importance of protecting riparian areas (including dugouts) and how it can help with drought management.
The post EP53 Dugouts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP53 Dugouts appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
There are very few things that can mess up your grazing plans like a drought. Join us as we chat with Sean McGrath, of Round Rock Ranching, about creating a plan to help minimize the impact that a drought can have on your operation.
The post EP52 Drought Plans appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP52 Drought Plans appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Join Young Agrarians, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions, and Dr. Jillian Bainard of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to learn everything you need to know right now about polycultures.
The post Polycultures December 7th, 2022 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post Polycultures December 7th, 2022 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Want to check out a greenhouse that keeps your energy bills and carbon footprint down? Join our first field day of the year!
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The post Passive Solar Greenhouse Tour – November 18th, 2022 – appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
With fertilizer prices hitting $1,000 a ton, it’s no surprise that cover crops are a hot topic. It makes sense that non-synthetic inputs like cover crops are becoming more and more appealing to producers. There’s many benefits to cover crops - including feeding livestock and pollinators, improving water filtration, suppressing weeds, building soil carbon and improving soil biology. In this episode, we're joined by Kevin Elmy, of Cover Crops Canada, to discuss the ins and outs of cover crops.
The post EP51 Cover Crops appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
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This episode is all about reflecting on the past and anticipating the future. We’ve covered so many great topics and had the most amazing speakers join us. While we can’t highlight or cover it all in our “podcast tour”, we picked ones that impacted the podcast’s trajectory.
The post EP50 50 More appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post EP50 50 More appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The Gelowitz’s kept a garden on their farm where they grew several saskatoon bushes. Rick, who grew up in Calgary, but spent quite a few summer vacations on his uncle's farms in Saskatchewan, has had a lifelong love for the native prairie berry. “It was my wife’s suggestion that we try to grow Saskatoon berries,” he recalls. “And that’s how it started.”
The post Planting the ‘Prairie Berry’ — Solstice Berry Farm, Crossfield, Alberta appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
The post Planting the ‘Prairie Berry’ — Solstice Berry Farm, Crossfield, Alberta appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
We sit down with agricultural producer John Kolk of Iron Springs, Alberta to discuss Canada’s next Agricultural Policy Framework or APF.
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The post BONUS The Next APF appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Three Alberta agricultural producers discuss what the 'regenerative mindset' is and why it is important for those transitioning to regenerative agriculture.
The post EP47 The Regen Mindset
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The post EP47 The Regen Mindset
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Cattle ranching on the Blood Reserve can be a rewarding endeavour, however, it comes with challenges. Mike Bruised Head from Kainai shares his experience and how climate change has impacted his ranching.
The post EP49 Bringing Back Iinnii appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
Join us, Young Agrarians, the MD of Bighorn, and Richard Fleck of KCP Energy to discuss solar installations on the farm.
Cattle ranching on the Blood Reserve can be a rewarding endeavour, however, it comes with challenges. Mike Bruised Head from Kainai shares his experience and how climate change has impacted his ranching.
Ryan Mason, owner of Reclaimed Organics, a certified organic vegetable and herb farm in Leduc County, spent most of his twenties traveling the world studying agriculture and food systems. He travelled across several continents, working alongside campesinos in Mexico and wakulimu (small farmers) in Tanzania.
But Ryan’s roots on the Canadian prairies travel even deeper. He spent the first eighteen years of his life on his family’s farm — a small-scale chicken operation — in Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Ryan has fond memories of growing up on the farm, helping feed the chickens, and picking raspberries with his brother. After graduating from high school, Ryan pursued an undergraduate degree in global development studies at Augustana University in Camrose. “It was there where I rediscovered my passion for food and food studies,” he says.
Three Alberta agricultural producers discuss what the 'regenerative mindset' is and why it is important for those transitioning to regenerative agriculture.
Join Young Agrarians, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions, and Kevin Elmy to learn all about the steps and thought processes when designing cover crop blend creations for your farm.
Today, Jenna and Thomas are in the process of rebuilding the market vegetable and herb garden, while focusing on restoring health and vitality back into the compacted hayfield. Their goal is to expand into an heirloom flower farm to offer a CSA program to the community (with organic, unsprayed flowers), while providing food for their honeybees and the native bees. They also want to create access for community members to grow their own food and forage for wild foods. “Everything works together,” explains Jenna, “And we’re building on this already incredibly resilient ecosystem.”
Feedlot manager Andrea Stroeve-Sawa shares low-stress livestock handling tips we can use to have constructive conversations on the livestock and the environment issue.
Communications strategist Sarah Wray discusses communications techniques we can use to have constructive conversations on the livestock and the environment issue.
Author and leadership advisor David Irvine discusses the strategies we can use to have constructive conversations on the livestock and the environment issue.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) is an Alberta-based initiative shining a spotlight on the climate solutions that farmers, ranchers…
If you’re enjoying a bag of potato chips in Western Canada, there’s a 1 in 5 chance the potatoes were grown by Harold Perry and his family at the Perry Family Farm, a fourth-generation operation located in Lethbridge County in southern Alberta.
Together, Harold and his brother, Chris, and his father, Gerald, work collaboratively as partners to manage 5000 acres of irrigated land producing potatoes—varieties of chippers, russets, and red Mozart potatoes—along with other field crops, including hard red spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, sunflowers, green peas, seed canola. The Perry family prioritizes environmental stewardship through their approach to soil management and a number of exciting renewable energy projects that they’re implementing on the farm.
This online info session is for folks who are interested in volunteering as an adviser to Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The advisory committee provides the Rural Routes team with advice and recommendations on programming, content, partnerships, presenters and funding opportunities and has been an integral part of how Rural Routes operates since the initiative was created in 2017.
If there is something about the work that Rural Routes does that resonates with you and you’ve been looking for a way to get involved without having to give up your day job, this is it. In this info session we’ll discuss how we go about creating rural routes to climate solutions and how the advisory committee supports that work.
Topic: Being an Adviser with Rural Routes to Climate Solutions
Date: February 17th, 2022 at either 12pm OR 7pm MST (let us know your preference when you register).
Presenter: Derek Leahy, Director and Podcast Producer for Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.
To register, email us at adminrr2cs @ stettlerlearning.com, write a few lines about yourself and why you are interested. Let us know if you would prefer a lunchtime or evening info session and we’ll do our best to accommodate everyone’s request. Click on the button below to learn more about the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions advisory committee. And if you are not interested in joining the advisory committee, but you want to learn more about Rural Routes feel free to join the info session as well.
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The thrilling conclusion of our exploration of post-secondary research and regenerative agriculture with Jason Bradley of Olds College and a solid lesson in asking ourselves why.
Take a deep dive with Jason Bradley of Olds College into post-secondary agriculture research and how research can assist the acceleration of regen ag in Alberta.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) is an Alberta-based initiative shining a spotlight on the climate solutions that farmers, ranchers…
Jenny Berkenbosch and James Vriend manage Sundog Organic Farm, a 14-acre certified organic vegetable and herb operation, located north of Edmonton in Sturgeon County. They grow a wide range of field and greenhouse vegetables and herbs, and sell their organic produce to customers through a summer and fall Farm Share program, and as well, at Edmonton’s Strathcona Farmer’s Market.
Cyrus and Roy Weasel Fat of Kainai First Nation share their success story of farming and ranching on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta.
Join RR2CS and the team from AWES to discuss how agroforestry practices can be used to reduce soil erosion on Alberta landscapes.
Ryan Mason, owner of Reclaimed Organics, a certified organic vegetable and herb farm in Leduc County, spent most of his twenties traveling the world studying agriculture and food systems. He travelled across several continents, working alongside campesinos in Mexico and wakulimu (small farmers) in Tanzania.
But Ryan’s roots on the Canadian prairies travel even deeper. He spent the first eighteen years of his life on his family’s farm — a small-scale chicken operation — in Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Ryan has fond memories of growing up on the farm, helping feed the chickens, and picking raspberries with his brother. After graduating from high school, Ryan pursued an undergraduate degree in global development studies at Augustana University in Camrose. “It was there where I rediscovered my passion for food and food studies,” he says.
Co-operatives have a long history in Alberta of getting the job done. We ask Rod Olson of YYC Growers if co-ops can assist in advancing regenerative agriculture in the province.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) is an Alberta-based initiative shining a spotlight on the climate solutions that farmers, ranchers…
Join RR2CS and Dr. Timm Doebert of the University of Alberta to discuss how you can use AMP grazing to help increase water infiltration in your pastures.
Tim Wray grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Irricana, a small town located 50 kilometres northeast of Calgary in southern Alberta. As a child, he always dreamed of following in his parent’s footsteps and one day becoming a farmer, but first he pursued post-secondary education and later studied at a seminary to become a pastor. His first parish was located in a small agricultural community, which put him back in touch with his childhood dream.
“I lived around farmland and was surrounded by farmers,” says Tim. “I was really in tune with the movement of the seasons and the farm cycle—and I enjoyed that.”
Join RR2CS and Nicholas Kwan Wong of Solar Alberta to discuss everything you need to know right now about solar energy in Alberta .
Cutting hay is not the only thing an agricultural producer can do these days when the sun is shining. A crash course in on-farm solar from A-Z with Lee Sinal of KCP Energy.
For Ward and Joanne Middleton, organic grain and oilseed farmers, planning for environmental and financial resiliency has become critical to adapting to extreme weather events on the farm. Over the past 27-years, the couple has managed Midmore Farms, an 850-acre certified organic farming operation, located northwest of Edmonton in Sturgeon County.
Today, Ward and Joanne are practicing with a wide variety of climate solutions, including intercropping to reduce soil tillage and integrating livestock on the land through custom grazing. They’re also investing in renewable energy technology and participating in seed saving initiatives. But these solutions haven’t happened overnight. Farming, says Ward, has been a dynamic, evolving process in observing interactions between soil, environment, climate, animal and plant vitality. “We’re always striving for continuous improvement,” he says. “There’s always room for improvement.”
As a fourth generation grain and pulse farmer in Strathcona County, Colin Jackson has seen many changes to the way food is grown on the Canadian prairies. He grew up on the very land he stewards today with his wife, Laura, and their family. They run Jackson Homesteaders Farms Ltd., a multi-enterprise farm that resides on 180-acres of land, located north of Sherwood Park, Alberta. The Jacksons farm around 5000 acres (owned and rented) of grain and pulse production, manage a horse boarding operation, tend honeybee hives, run a community garden and care for a huge flock of ‘rescued’ chickens and ducks.
The conclusion of our conversation with Dana Penrice of Young Agrarians on how new and aspiring farmers and ranchers can be a farm solution that is also a climate solution.
A recent report by the University of Alberta provides new evidence that AMP grazing improves water infiltration in ranchlands on the Prairies. Hear from the researchers involved in the study
Dana Penrice of Young Agrarians discusses how new and aspiring agricultural producers are a farm solution and a climate solution that could do a lot good on the Prairies.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions (RR2CS) is an Alberta-based initiative providing learning and capacity building opportunities for farmers, ranchers and…
Please join RR2CS for a discussion for acreage owners and how they can implement climate solutions on their property.
Agricultural producer Jianyi Dong talks design, growing potential and extending the growing season with his commercial passive solar greenhouse in Olds, Alberta.
Please join RR2CS and Katie McLachlan of Peace Country Beef and Forage Association as we discuss the findings of their pond leveler project.
We team up with Grain on the Brain and ask Karen Ross, Director of Famers for Climate Solutions, about a $300 million investment in Canadian agricultural producers.
Darrin Qualman of the National Farmers Union takes us through a set of recommendations for building thriving farms and ranches and reducing agriculture's carbon footprint.
Eric and his wife Ruby, along with their extended family, have been growing mixed vegetables in northern Alberta for nearly 35 years. The Chen family has seen it all over the past several decades, dealing with weeds, pests, and extreme climactic events. They have a deep passion for growing organic food and feeding communities in the Edmonton and surrounding area.
“Farming was always a calling for us,” explains Eric. “It really helped us grow as a family.”
Eric was born in Laos and spent part of his childhood in Thailand. His grandmother, originally from China, had farming roots, but his parents only kept a hobby garden and a few livestock. In 1979, when Eric was thirteen years old, he and his family immigrated to Westlock, Alberta. Two years later, he took a summer job working on a vegetable farm in Westlock. “That’s how it all started,” he laughs. “The farmer said to me, ‘Maybe you should start a farm’ – and eventually – I did!”
Andrew works with natural ecosystem succession: planting berry bushes on broken, exposed soils and making room for pioneer species – like dandelions, for example – and grasses and shrubs. He points out how “weeds” actually have tremendous value in helping to aerate soils, provide shade for other plants, and stimulate microbiology in the soil. Andrew purposely sowed bunch grasses – a grass that would be in the same phase as the haskaps – as opposed to a creeping grass, like a brown grass, or quack grass.
Please join us to learn how to identify, prevent, and manage your trees against Mountain Pine Beetle infestations.
In their first year on the land, the Schambers planted 500 trees. The following year, they planted 3000. Today, they have over 8000 trees on their property. “The land was what fit our budget – it wasn’t the land of our dreams,” reiterates Alana. “But we’ve been working with the land to clean up the junk, reorganize, plant trees, encourage plant growth and make it the farm of our dreams.”
Over the past decade, the Schambers have helped to restore and rehabilitate Tin Forest Farm through regenerative farming practices, including rotational grazing, agroforestry, and fencing off sensitive riparian areas. The family raise grass-finished heritage beef and lamb, heritage chickens, honey bees, and sell hand-spun wool. In previous years, Alana organized an annual summer Kid’s Nature Camp and a Farm to Table community dinner at the farm. “Our goal is to get local food on the tables of local families,” says Alana.
When I began to consider the risks for disease – which is very real in this day and age, look at COVID-19 for example – I became really interested in learning more about heritage breeds. There’s certain breeds that are more disease, or parasite resistant. There’s also mothering instincts and attributes of food quality. When you consider evolution, some breeds go extinct. But sometimes they lose popularity because they are smaller, or slower at production. I think as human beings we’ve gotten caught up with breeds that grow the fastest versus those that are of better food quality.
For me, I work off-farm, so I can’t be here 24/7 to lamb sheep, or getting up in the middle of the night and then going to my day-job and performing well. It was important to me to find breeds – American Soay and Katahdin sheep – that are able to look after themselves in the hours when I’m not here. With these breeds, lambing entails going out in the morning and evening and putting tags in the lambs’ ears. It doesn’t involve pulling lambs. It doesn’t involve 2 AM checks or anything like that.
Janice and her husband, Ty Shelton, have been running Sand Springs Ranch, a certified organic operation, with a philosophy for biodiversity for over 35 years. They raise grass-finished beef, pasture-raised pork, and grow organic vegetables, and both table and seed potatoes in northeastern Alberta. “We are a small family farm. We consider ourselves small compared to the big guys.”
Biodiversity and diversification are at the heart of what the Sheltons do at Sand Springs Ranch, from relying on the unique skillsets of every family member to feeding their cattle a blend of hay from a variety of fields – all with different soil biology and nutrients – to diversifying their products and marketing strategies, to cultivating lesser known varieties of potatoes.
Colorado-producer Brandon Rockey talks regen ag, soil health, plant diversity and potatoes with Alberta rancher Steve Kenyon in GRO's Coffee Shop Talk series.
Part of Dan and Louise’s vision for Northern Lights was minimizing their impact on the environment and producing good, nutritious food as sustainably as possible. “We wanted to minimize our carbon footprint to the greatest extent possible,” says Dan. “Solar was a very natural path, or direction to move in.”
Before leaving Edmonton, the couple took a course in Solar Energy to learn some of the basics in order to familiarize themselves with considerations and different technologies. When designing their farm, they identified different energy needs on the land. Dan says he spent a great deal of time researching different solar technologies for specific tasks, say, running water pumps, or running electric fences, when he had an important realization.
Brenda Bohmer, a grain farmer at Brenlea Farm in central Alberta, realized she’d been draining sloughs for years in an attempt to farm more acres. She would seed around duck nests, but in order to deal with weeds, she’d farm right up to the edges of the wetland. “It’s a mindset you get locked into,” she admits. Bohmer’s goal? Create a year-round wetland and invite nature to help rehabilitate the natural wetland ecosystem and water cycle.
Several years ago, Bohmer partnered with Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society. Within a year, nature took over the wetland and Bohmer was amazed to see the transformation of the riparian habitat. “I can still grow crops between the wetlands,” explains Bohmer. “But now I have a buffer which provides a separation between farming operations and the natural habitat. Bohmer points out that 80 percent of all types of wildlife in Alberta spend all, or part of their lives in a riparian area. “We can co-exist,” she says. “I like to think of this as farming as though the earth really matters.”
‘Sustainability’ is what drives the Herbert family, owners of Trail’s End Beef, a grass-fed and finished beef ranch, nestled outside of the town of Nanton, in the Porcupine Hills of southern Alberta. Rachel and Tyler, with the help of their two children, practice rotational grazing management and steward the native grasslands, rolling hills, abundant springs, and sheltering poplar and willow groves. They raise calves entirely on pasture (and stored forage through the winter) until they’re 26 to 29 months-old, and direct market the beef to a diverse customer-base in southern Alberta.
The Herbert family ranches with an ethic for animal care, and environmental stewardship and regeneration, protecting watersheds, planting cover crops, and allowing the land to rest between grazing. They share the native grassland with a variety of wild ‘neighbours’, including geese, songbirds, coyotes, muskrat, cougars and grizzly bears.
Meet two of the powerhouse coordinators that Rural Routes to Climate Solutions relies on to make things happen on the ground: Diandra Bruised Head and Marie Golonka.
Alberta is the province in Canada with the best potential for solar power. Lee Sinal of KCP Energy is back by popular demand to highlight what Albertan agricultural producers need to know about this exciting opportunity to generate on-farm energy.
Topic: Solar Installations on the Farm
Date: November 12th, 2020 at 2:00PM
Presenter: Lee Sinal
Cost: FREE
Join us and Lee Sinal from KCP Energy to discuss the many aspects of installing solar panels on your farm. In this webinar, Lee will discuss:
- Alberta’s Micro-generation program and electricity rate structures for farms
- What you need to size a system and get it installed
- Solar Equipment options and electrical integration considerations
- Financial performance of solar energy systems
- Tax benefits, system financing, and GHG credits for on-farm solar
- How to ensure optimal system performance
This webinar is a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of on-farm solar generation. We hope to see you there and feel free to bring any solar questions you have for Lee!
Want to learn more? We recommend listening to our podcast, On Farm Solar Alberta
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Find out how your community can developed its very own community-owned renewable energy project!
Topic: Community Renewable Energy Webinar
Date: October 1st, 2020 at 12:00PM
Presenters: Marc Baxter, Municipal Climate Change Action Centre; Jennifer Ford, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and; Seth Leon, Alberta Community & Co-operative Association.
Cost: FREE
Renewable or alternative energy is great, but renewable energy with direct benefits to our communities that go beyond generating electricity is even better – that is community renewable energy.
Communities across Alberta are finding their own paths to bringing solar or wind projects to their communities and capturing the spin-off benefits of those projects whether it is financing a community development fund, local job creation or helping out a community institution with its electrical bill.
Community renewable energy is a relatively new approach to energy generation in Alberta and we have put together a panel of speakers who are either making these projects happen or are tracking their progress. Join us for this webinar and find out what communities are doing to trailblaze this new path in the province.
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Community Futures – Lac La Biche are hosting this webinar.
Want to learn more? We recommend to go the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions YouTube channel and watching the community renewable energy presentations from community leaders in Innisfail, Peace River, Raymond and the Bow Valley. Click here to watch.
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Dong Jianyi from Freshpals Farms in Olds, Alberta is back by popular demand to talk about passive solar greenhouse design!
Topic: Passive Solar Greenhouse Webinar
Date: September 24th, 2020 at 2:00PM
Presenter: Dong Jianyi
Cost: FREE
Jianyi cultivates vegetables year round in a passive solar greenhouse – a greenhouse powered 100 per cent by the energy of the sun! Pretty impressive, right? While conventional greenhouses rely on fossil fuels and artificial heat to stay warm through the winter, Jianyi uses only the heat produced from the sun. Using greenhouse design techniques perfected in China, Jianyi runs the largest commercial passive solar greenhouse in Alberta.
This webinar is a great opportunity for both commercial and hobby greenhouse gardeners to ask questions about passive solar greenhouse design in the Alberta climate. Join us for this popular webinar!
Want to learn more? We recommend listening to our podcast, Passive Solar Greenhouses and reading our Farmer’s blog, Passive Solar Greenhouse Growing Without Borders
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The national coalition Farmers for Climate Solutions has released five recommendations for both covid-19 recovery in the agriculture sector and building climate resilience in the sector. We read the report.
Steve Heckeroth, designer of tractors that run entirely off of batteries and founder of the California-based electric tractor company Solectrac, explains why tractors are the ideal electric vehicle.
Intercropping can potentially result in higher yields, healthier soil and less chemical inputs, which likely results in a more resilient farm. Dr. Eric Bremer explains in this episode.
Peace country agricultural producers Ash Armstrong and Curt Hale talk regenerative agriculture, taking risks and pursuing goals in one of our best episodes yet. Co-hosted by PCBFA's Johanna Murray.
Alberta is the province in Canada with the best potential for solar power. Lee Sinal of KCP Energy explains what Albertan agricultural producers need to know about this exciting opportunity to generate on-farm energy.
Topic: Solar Installations on the Farm
Date: August 19th, 2020 at 10:00AM
Presenter: Lee Sinal
Cost: FREE
Join us and Lee Sinal from KCP Energy to discuss the many aspects of installing solar panels on your farm. In this webinar, Lee will discuss:
- Alberta’s Micro-generation program and electricity rate structures for farms
- What you need to size a system and get it installed
- Solar Equipment options and electrical integration considerations
- Financial performance of solar energy systems
- Tax benefits, system financing, and GHG credits for on-farm solar
- How to ensure optimal system performance
This webinar is a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of on-farm solar generation. We hope to see you there and feel free to bring any solar questions you have for Lee!
Want to learn more? We recommend listening to our podcast, On Farm Solar Alberta
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A new land management practice that involves seeding crops between rows of trees to boost yields, productivity and carbon sequestration. And yes you can do this in Alberta. Noel St. Jean of AWES explains.
Soil carbon sequestration is complex, but a necessary process to understand if you are an agricultural producer. Dr. Tracy Misiewicz explains how carbon can be stored in our soils for years and even centuries.
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.
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.
Explore the joys, risks and paybacks of being one of the first electric tractor owners in Canada with agricultural producer Tony Neale.
Mary and Peter Lundgard of Nature’s Way Farm in Grimshaw sit down with writer Trina Moyles to talk farming, nutrition, changes in the climate and healing the land in the Peace country.
A unique look at how Rural Routes to Climate Solutions got started, how and why we do what we do from the perspective of Rural Routes' creator and Alix agricultural producer Brenda Barritt.
Focusing on the evolution of his farm from conventional to regenerative and to the next step of selling the farm, Killam agricultural producer Don Ruzicka shares his thoughts with us.
University of Alberta PhD student Jessica Grenke and Dr. Edward Bork discuss adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing systems' impacts on plant ecology and soil carbon sequestration.
Dr. David Sauchyn, director of the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative, discusses moisture on the Prairies and how adaptation has helped us farm in one of the most variable climates on Earth.
Agricultural producer Takota Coen explains how by farming more effectively agricultural producers we have the potential to improve not just the health of the environment, but our own health as well.
Hear about the farmers, ranchers, scientists, industry experts and people in Alberta who are leading the way in good land stewardship and reducing agriculture's carbon footprint.
University of Alberta PhD candidate Erin Daly discusses the research she is conducting at the Breton Plots to determine if perennial grains could be a viable crop in Alberta that could potentially require less inputs too.
Farm productivity and profitability can be maximized through understanding the relationships between soil function, organic matter, microbiology and biology. Learn more from soil microbiologist Dr. Kristine Nichols.
Estimates are 60% of food produced in Canada is thrown away. CEO of Fare Community, Aman Adatia, believes we need to look at food waste as a food surplus agricultural producers can sell to the public.
Solar power is a proven technology, but that doesn’t mean people don’t have questions about solar still. Listen to Lakeland College's expert panel as it answers many of the common questions on solar.
Countless different species of soil organisms work together breaking down organic matter and converting it into soil carbon. Learn more about the importance of soil biology with Dr. Jeff Battigelli of the University of Alberta.
Agricultural producers have different reasons for farming the way they farm. Jerremie Clyde of Little Loaves Farm says his Christian faith is his inspiration to be producer and use on-farm climate solutions.
Ecosystems provide us with a lot—water, air, habitat and food. Christine Campbell of ALUS Canada explains why ecosystems are so important to agriculture and how farmers can help ecosystems on the land.
All greenhouses use the sun to grow food, but this one doesn't use fossil fuels for heating. Find out how to design and operate your own passive solar greenhouse with Daniel Chappell of Olds College.
Organic crop production usually requires tillage and no-till usually requires spraying. Is it possible to combine the two though? Listen to the producers and researchers who are experimenting with organic no-till and find out.
Find out where oil and gas expertise and producing food year round collide with Dr. Jonathan Banks of the University of Alberta as he explains how geothermal works and what the agricultural applications are.
Soil carbon sequestration is a powerful tool in improving soil health and in taking on climate change. Find out how it works with rancher Doug Wray, research scientist Monika Gorzelak and special guest host Kimberly Cornish.
Beavers are often a pain in the behind for agricultural producers. But what if producers worked with beavers to manage their water? Wetland ecologist Dr. Glynnis Hood of the University of Alberta explains.
Three agricultural producers present on how they would adjust their land management practices in the future to a changing climate.
Binnu Jeyakumar of the Pembina Institute explains how agricultural producers can take advantage of a new $200 million program in Alberta and what community renewable energy is.
A growing body of data shows organic agriculture is more energy efficient, produces less greenhouse gases and nurtures soil's amazing ability to sequester carbon. Find out why with Dr. Tracy Misiewicz of The Organic Center.
Seth Leon of the Alberta Community and Co-operatives Association goes through the process of forming your own agricultural producers co-operative that will help you save on costs and minimize your environmental footprint.
Imagine a world where agricultural producers get paid for the ecosystems services their land provides. Economist Marian Weber of Alberta Innovates Technology Futures argues such a world is not only possible, it is necessary.
Trees and agricultural land do mix. Retired agroforestry specialist Gary Bank goes into the different ways agricultural producers can use trees and shrubs to increase biodiversity and boost yields.
Biodiversity is an integral part of agriculture. Corrina Copp of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute explains why maintaining biodiversity is so important and how agricultural producers and other citizen scientists can monitor in Alberta.
Alberta is the province in Canada with the best potential for solar power. Kale Scarf of Gateway Research Organization explains what Albertan agricultural producers need to do to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to generate on-farm energy.
Find out how better management practices may be the key to reducing cattle's carbon footprint.