Rural Routes to Climate Solutions

By Rural Routes to Climate Solutions

Farm Solutions = Climate Solutions... more

· Education

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Rural Routes to Climate Solutions:

How many episodes does Rural Routes to Climate Solutions have?

The podcast currently has 91 episodes available.

Rural Routes to Climate Solutions episodes:

March 19, 2024EP 78 – Everybody Wins – SoR Part 10
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
...more
1h 12min
March 11, 2024EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Environment – SoR Part 9
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
...more
1h
March 04, 2024EP 76 Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part Eight
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
...more
1h 14min
February 22, 2024EP 75 From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part Seven
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
...more
1h 11min
February 12, 2024EP 74 Niitsitapi Agriculture Certificate
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.
...more
34min
February 04, 2024EP 73 Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part Six
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
...more
1h 8min
January 25, 2024EP 72 Connecting People to Place – SoR Part Five
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
...more
1h 4min
December 21, 2023EP 71 Sharing the Land – SoR Part Four
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
...more
1h 19min
December 15, 2023EP 70 Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part Three
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
...more
1h 13min
December 05, 2023EP 69 Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part Two
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
...more
1h 14min

FAQs about Rural Routes to Climate Solutions:

How many episodes does Rural Routes to Climate Solutions have?

The podcast currently has 91 episodes available.