Farming for the future

11 Articles

Tarmara McPhail escorts her sheep to pasture each morning on Linnaea Farm, an ecological agricultural land trust on Cortes Island. Photo Rochelle Baker / Canada's National Observer

Farming for the climate future

Regenerative farming methods in use on the small, B.C. island farm for decades to build soil, capture nutrients, and promote biodiversity are reaping rewards as the climate crisis advances.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Island Insider | July 7th 2023

Tea Creek farm regenerates soil and soul

When Jacob Beaton quit his business consulting job and left Vancouver for a homestead in northern B.C., he didn't plan on the farm becoming a hub for reviving Indigenous food sovereignty.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting | June 14th 2023

Federal weed researcher Jichul Bae thinks sandblasting weeds could help farmers reduce or eliminate their pesticide use. Photo by Jesse Winter/Canada’s National Observer

Forget herbicides. Sandblasting will whack those weeds

The weed war, which puts more than $528 million in crop losses on the line each year in Canada alone, has for the past 50 years been fought with an arsenal of toxic herbicides that harm human health and contribute to the biodiversity and climate crises.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting | May 31st 2023

‘Better is always possible,’ Canada’s agriculture minister says, but there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to curbing climate pollution from farms

Several times last year, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau found herself stomping through fields talking to farmers dealing with unprecedented floods, drought and hurricanes. The disasters were an "eye-opener" for many, hinting at a future where the climate crisis will make similar disasters more common — and worse.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting | January 6th 2023

Bison on this Prairie farm bring back birds, biodiversity and fewer floods

When a powerful drought fried the fields on Doug Griller's farm last summer, the Manitoba rancher feared they would have trouble bouncing back. A herd of bison helped the recovery exceed expectations.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting | September 20th 2022

Turning soil to gold

Karn Manhas, the CEO of Canadian agtech company Terramera, believes that technology is key to making more sustainable regenerative farming widespread.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting, Food Insider | May 30th 2022

When wheat never dies

Why a grain that lives for years could solve the climate crisis.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting, Food Insider | May 16th 2022

Meat in moderation can be part of the climate solution, regenerative ranchers say

Regenerative farming promotes raising crops and livestock together along with other methods to promote soil health.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting, Food Insider | May 2nd 2022

Days when I’m worn thin by the climate crisis, I try to recall the joy of Yves and Céline’s farm

Céline Caron and Yves Tessier devoted their lives to protecting soil health long before regenerative farming became mainstream.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | News, Climate Solutions Reporting, Food Insider | April 18th 2022

Regenerative agriculture can combat climate change and keep food on our plates. Here’s how it works

The past decade has seen exploding interest in an approach to farming focused on soil health called regenerative agriculture, which proponents say can help fix the climate crisis. The problem? No one agrees on what regenerative agriculture actually means.

Farming for the future

By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson | Explainer, Food Insider | April 4th 2022

Farming for the future

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