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.

• 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?

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Stories of Regeneration
• Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
• Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map

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

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

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 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.

• 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?

• Stories of Regeneration
• Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
• Lightfoot & Wolfville
• Regeneration Canada Farm Map

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