7 USDA Climate-Smart Practices Alberta Farmers Need Now

Cover Cropping: Nourish Your Soil, Protect the Planet
Cover cropping is a powerful climate-smart practice that can significantly improve soil health, reduce erosion, and sequester carbon in Alberta’s agricultural lands. By planting crops like legumes, grasses, or brassicas between main crop cycles, farmers can protect and nourish their soil while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Leguminous cover crops, such as clover, alfalfa, or field peas, fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. This not only saves farmers money but also minimizes greenhouse gas emissions …

Carbon Farming: A Soil-ution for Climate Change in Alberta

Harness the power of soil to combat climate change through carbon sequestration. As stewards of the land, farmers hold the key to capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and locking it away in the earth beneath our feet. By adopting regenerative agriculture practices, we can transform our fields into carbon sinks, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing soil health and fertility. Together, let’s explore the science behind this natural climate solution and discover practical ways to …

Greening Canada’s Cities: The Untapped Potential of Urban Agroforestry

Imagine a city where lush green spaces intertwine with vibrant urban life, where the boundaries between nature and civilization blur. This is the promise of urban agroforestry—a revolutionary approach to sustainable agriculture that harnesses the power of trees, crops, and community. By integrating diverse plant species into the urban landscape, agroforestry creates resilient ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and a myriad of environmental benefits. From rooftop gardens to edible parks, urban agroforestry is transforming the way we think about food production and green spaces. As cities grapple with the challenges of climate change, …

Turn Your Roof into a Water Wellspring: Harvest Rainwater Like a Pro

Harvest rainwater from your roof to boost your farm’s resilience and embrace sustainable agriculture practices. Install gutters and downspouts to channel water into storage tanks. Regularly clean and maintain your roof, gutters, and tanks to ensure water quality. Use the collected rainwater for irrigation, livestock, and cleaning equipment to conserve groundwater and reduce costs.
Assessing Your Roof’s Rainwater Potential
Calculating Potential Rainwater Yield
To calculate…

Harness the Sun to Grow Your Crops: A Game-Changing Solar Irrigation Guide

Harness the power of the sun to revolutionize your farming practices with solar irrigation systems. By investing in this sustainable technology, you can reduce energy costs, minimize environmental impact, and ensure a reliable water supply for your crops, even in remote areas. Solar irrigation offers benefits of solar power that go beyond cost savings – it enhances your farm’s resilience, allows you to grow crops in previously unsuitable locations, and positions you as a leader in eco-friendly agriculture. With advancements in solar panel …

Fighting Food Waste: How Canadian Farmers Can Profit from the Circular Economy

Implement regenerative practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage to build healthy soil that retains nutrients and moisture, reducing farm inputs and waste. Compost food scraps or process them through anaerobic digestion to create nutrient-rich soil amendments and biogas fuel from waste. Partner with food banks, shelters, and community organizations to donate excess fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste. Collaborate with other local farmers, food processors, restaurateurs and retailers …

Embracing Climate Resilience: Alberta Farmers’ Path to Sustainable Success

Adopt climate-smart practices to build your farm’s resilience against the impacts of climate change. Diversify your crops to spread risk and improve soil health. Implement water-saving irrigation techniques like drip irrigation or cover crops to conserve moisture. Plant windbreaks and shelterbelts to protect against erosion and create microclimates that support crop growth. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure your farm remains productive and profitable for generations to come, despite the …

Embracing Climate Resilience: Alberta Farmers’ Path to Sustainable Success

Adopt climate-smart practices to build your farm’s resilience against the impacts of climate change. Diversify your crops to spread risk and improve soil health. Implement water-saving irrigation techniques like drip irrigation or cover crops to conserve moisture. Plant windbreaks and shelterbelts to protect against erosion and create microclimates that support crop growth. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure your farm remains productive and profitable for generations to come, despite the …