Rural Routes To Climate Solutions Podcasts

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During the growing season of 2023, the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast travelled to ten farms and ranches across Canada to find out how regenerative agriculture principles were being applied by agricultural producers involved in different types of agriculture production: grains, livestock, viticulture, vegetables and fruit. What we discov…

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, agroe…

Welcome to the conclusion of the Getting Through Drought series, where we look at the best management practices cow-calf producers in Alberta can use to build up their resiliency against drought. 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 …

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 adv…

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 an…

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. Makin…

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 prod…

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 d…

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 epi…

In recent years, mycorrhizal fungi have become a hot topic, especially when talking about soil health. 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 …

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. In this episode, you’ll be hearing from Art Goerzen of Adullam Ranch to get an additional perspective on why ri…

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 a drought; forage isn't growing in your pasture and the price of hay goes through the roof. During …

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 b…

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 - you can't burn it. But if we can't burn it, how do we activate the carbon in biochar? In this episode…

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 …

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…

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 …

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. …

We sit down with agricultural producer John Kolk of Iron Springs, Alberta to discuss Canada’s next Agricultural Policy Framework or APF. The post *BONUS* The Next APF appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* The Next APF appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

In this episode, knowledge holder Dr. Leroy Little Bear shares his work to restore the Iinnii. Little Bear sheds light on why this work is important, not only for the land but for the people and their connection with songs, ceremonies and stories centred around the Iinnii. He also highlights the importance of working together with the air, land, an…

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 EP48 Ranching at Kainai appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP48 Ranching at Kainai appeared first on Rural Rou…

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 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP47 The Regen Mindset appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part Three appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part Three appeared first on Rural Rou…

Communications strategist Sarah Wray discusses communications techniques we can use to have constructive conversations on the livestock and the environment issue. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Cl…

Author and leadership advisor David Irvine discusses the strategies we can use to have constructive conversations on the livestock and the environment issue. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part One appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* Bridging Echo Chambers Part One appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate…

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. The post EP46 Ag Research Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP46 Ag Research Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Soluti…

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. The post EP45 Ag Research appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP45 Ag Research appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

Cyrus and Roy Weasel Fat of Kainai First Nation share their success story of farming and ranching on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta. The post EP44 Farming at Kainai appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP44 Farming at Kainai appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP43 Regen Co-ops appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP43 Regen Co-ops appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP42 On-Farm Solar 2.0 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP42 On-Farm Solar 2.0 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP41 New Farmers Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP41 New Farmers Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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 The post EP40 Grazing for Water Infiltration appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP40 Grazing for Water Infiltration appeared first o…

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. The post EP39 New Farmers appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP39 New Farmers appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

Agricultural producer Jianyi Dong talks design, growing potential and extending the growing season with his commercial passive solar greenhouse in Olds, Alberta. The post EP38 Passive Solar Greenhouse 2.0 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP38 Passive Solar Greenhouse 2.0 appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutio…

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. The post *BONUS* The $300M Investment appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* The $300M Investment appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP37 Climate Farm Plan appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP37 Climate Farm Plan appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP36 Regenerative Potatoes appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP36 Regenerative Potatoes appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post *BONUS* The Coordinators appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* The Coordinators appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post *BONUS* COVID-19 Recovery in Ag appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post *BONUS* COVID-19 Recovery in Ag appeared…

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. The post EP35 Electric Tractor Part Two appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP35 Electric Tractor Part Two appeared first on …

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. The post EP34 Intercropping appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP34 Intercropping appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP33 Stories from the Peace appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP33 Stories from the Peace appeared first on Rural R…

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. The post EP32 Alley Cropping appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP32 Alley Cropping appeared first on Rural Routes to …

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. The post EP31 Soil Carbon Re-Intro appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP31 Soil Carbon Re-Intro appeared first on…

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. The post EP30 Native Plants appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP30 Native Plants appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP29 Farmers for Climate Solutions appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP29 Farmers for Climate Solutio…

Explore the joys, risks and paybacks of being one of the first electric tractor owners in Canada with agricultural producer Tony Neale. The post EP28 Electric Tractor appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP28 Electric Tractor appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP27 The Lundgards appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP27 The Lundgards appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…

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. The post EP26 What We do appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions. The post EP26 What We do appeared first on Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.…