Food Farm Talk

In this episode, we’ll be doing some 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.

If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:

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 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?

This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.

IFAD-Agriculture’s Indigenous trailblazers

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 organic and biodynamic wine 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.

If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:

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.

If you want to learn more, we recommend downloading and listening to:

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.

A panel discussion exploring the business case for climate solutions was part of the 2023 Arrell Food Summit: Pathways to Change on November 14, 2023.

Speakers included:

- Mauricio Alanis, Director of Sustainability Strategy and Partnerships, Maple Leaf Foods

- Mohamed Yaghi, Climate and Agriculture Policy Lead, Climate Action Institute, RBC

- Julie Gartside, Global Head of Integration Management Climate Change Strategies Technical Director, SLR Consulting

- Ellery Burton, Principal Managing Partner, Alterra Innovation

- Sally Flis, Director, Sustainability Program Design & Outcome Management, Nutrien Ag Solutions

The discussion explores the “why” behind adopting climate solutions in food and agriculture.

While climate change can be seen only as a risk, many companies are seizing the opportunity to strengthen their resilience to climate impacts, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt new technologies that will create a competitive business advantage and lead to economic growth. Many businesses also recognize that policy changes are already underway, and are moving to align their business practices with investor, stakeholder and consumer values.

Perspectives from farming, industry and policy will inform this panel discussion, which helps companies, industry and decision-makers explore their ‘why’ behind adopting climate solutions in food and agriculture and helps to strengthen the business case for sustainable decisions.

More information:

https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/

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.

If you want to learn more, we recommend downloading and listening to:

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

Water is Food - Emerging Knowledge is a panel discussion hosted by the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. This was held on World Food Day on October 16, 2023, as a panel discussion looking at emerging research and insights into best practices, barriers and opportunities at the intersection of water and agri-food.

Arrell Food Institute director Dr. Evan Fraser moderated a panel of University of Guelph experts at the intersection of water and agri-food to discuss the latest research and best practices in their fields.

The panel discussion features:

- Dr. Larry Goodridge, director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety and professor in the Ontario Agricultural College’s Department of Food Science, who will discuss research in detecting and treating waterborne pathogens that can impact the food system.

- Dr. Tongzhe Li, professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE) and the inaugural Arrell Family Chair in Behavioural and Experimental Economics, who will share insights from research conducted on consumer preferences toward growing fresh foods using recycled irrigation water.

- Dr. Hugh Simpson, researcher at the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, who will discuss private water wells and their importance to local food. Simpson is currently working on a project with U of G researchers to examine the needs of the rural community for guidance about private water wells for agricultural, business and domestic purposes.

Thanks to the Arrell Food Institute for permission to air this recording.

https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/

https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8vAPL48kaI

Climate change challenges Canadian agriculture in so many ways. How can Canada help farmers adapt? The report, “A New Ag Deal: A 9-Point Plan for Climate-Smart Agriculture”, lays out ideas to help farmers adapt and reduce the impacts of climate change on their farms while growing food production to feed the world. Mohamad Yaghi, Agriculture & Climate Policy Lead at the Royal Bank’s (RBC) Climate Action Institute tells us about their plan in this episode.

The Royal Bank has been active reporting about agriculture and climate as part of its Thought Leadership initiative, working with the Arrell Food Institute here at the University of Guelph on several of these. Mohamad and his team spoke with more than 500 farmers and food producers, to gain a better understanding of what practical policies could make a difference helping farmers adapt. We talked about a number of these ideas.

The world’s top food producing countries are making sustainable agriculture a strategic priority, building formidable climate-smart food supply chains backed by sizeable funding and bold policy measures. The sector risks falling behind if Canadian governments don’t match their competitors in supporting producers with the funding and policy tools to grow more food with fewer emissions. The agriculture sectors in the U.S., EU, Australia, and China get roughly three times the climate funding that Canada provides to its industry.

We talk about carbon markets and how to build markets that are fair and that farmers can benefit from, for soil carbon, methane, and other emissions. Encouraging innovative farmers who drive the initial charge to new farming practices is another important focus that farmers often say is neglected. Canada’s dwindling knowledge sharing network or extension system for getting new research knowledge into the hand of farmers needs a major boost.

We also discuss the newly launched Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agrifood (CANZA) and what the Alliance plans to do in coming years. RBC is a partner in this new Alliance, along with the Arrell Food Institute.

More information:

A New Ag Deal: A 9-Point Plan for Climate-Smart Agriculture

https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/a-new-ag-deal-a-9-point-plan-for-climate-smart-agriculture/

The Next Green Revolution: How Canada can produce more food and fewer emissions

https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/the-next-green-revolution-how-canada-can-produce-more-food-and-fewer-emissions/

The Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agrifood

https://canza.ca/

Arrell Food Institute

https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/