This episode of the Organic BC Podcast was funded in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund delivered by Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. University of Wisconsin-Madison soil scientist Matthew Ruark joins us to talk about some research he co-authored on the use of cover crops to reduce nutrient pollution following a manure application, and how to limit the potential agronomic tradeoffs of this practice. You can read a summary of the research we discuss here ..read more

This episode: we explore the potential of tools that use electricity to control weeds on the farm. Specifically, you'll learn about the research of our guest, Marcelo Moretti, on an electric weeder produced by a Brazilian Company called Zasso for use in perennial cropping systems. Marcelo Moretti is a Weed Science Specialist and an Associate Professor with the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. This episode of the Organic BC Podcast was funded through Sustainable Canada Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.  Opinions expressed in this p ..read more

This episode is all about robotic weeding technology for the farm. Jordan interviews Kristen Obeid and Chuck Haggerty about why the time has come to give robotic weeding tools some serious consideration and the strengths and limitations of these tools. Here's a link for listeners who want to be able to picture these tools as they listen. Our guests will also summarize some of the options currently being tested by the AgRobotics Working Group, which is an initiative spearheaded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture that brings representatives from government, academia and the farming industry ..read more

This ep: a preview of the 2023 BC Organic Conference---OUR 30TH ANNUAL!!!---from conference coordinator Sarah Stewart. The conference runs November 7 through the 9th and you can learn more/get tickets at organicbc.org ..read more

This ep: a longform conversation with a farmer who was present and active for all the major milestones of BC's modern organic sector. Paddy Doherty talks about communal farming in the BC Interior in the 70s, why organic farming appealed to him from the get-go, the art of growing great carrots, and his thoughts on the evolution of BC's organic sector. COG's Organic Production Handbooks, where you can try (I failed) to find the book Paddy refers to in our conversation. Also: Annelise and Tristan shout-out someone they admire in our community. Want to do that? Record a voice memo, email it to far ..read more

This episode I talk to Dru Yates of ES Crop Consult. Getting the right amount of nitrogen to our crops at the right time can be tricky, and if we over-apply it, it doesn't just hurt our bottom line. Nutrient pollution contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollutes our water, and so I invited Drew to join me to help us understand how to find the right balance between meeting a crop's nitrogen needs and our collective responsibility to avoid nitrogen pollution of our air and water. Here's a link to the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food's dedicated web page for nutrient manage ..read more

This episode: farmer & entrepreneur Jacob Beaton joins guest host Tristan Banwell to discuss the Indigenous relationship with agriculture that has been largely ignored or even suppressed in mainstream discourse about the history and traditions of Canada's First Peoples. Jacob is a member of the Eagle Clan of the Tsimshian Nation. He lives and farms near Gitwangak in Gitxsan territory of Northern BC, where he operates a thriving Indigenous skills training program at Tea Creek Farm. This episode was funded by the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food ..read more

This episode: a primer on production practices that can reduce on-farm GH gas emissions via carbon sequestration. Joining us for this episode: Amy Norgaard, Climate Change Extension Specialist for the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food, and Dieter Geesing, Provincial Soil Specialsit for the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food. First up: Amy outlines the problem of farm-based greenhouse gas emissions, defines carbon sequestration, and suggests some practices that can lead to a net reduction in on-farm emissions. After that: Dieter raises his hand to say: not so fast! In our effort to reduc ..read more

This episode: part one of a conversation with the owners of Fresh Valley Farms. Based in Armstrong, BC, owners Steve Meggait & Annelise Grube Cavers produce pasture-raised, organic beef, pork, poultry & eggs on 300+ acres under a rotational grazing system. This time, we'll learn about cover cropping practices at Fresh Valley Farms, some of the vital tools and equipment in their operation, and Steve & Annelise' thoughts on the arrival of the word 'regenerative' in conversations about sustainable agriculture. You'll also hear their thoughts on where livestock fits in a sustainable fo ..read more

This episode: part one of a conversation with the owners of Fresh Valley Farms. Based in Armstrong, BC, owners Steve Meggait & Annelise Grube Cavers produce pasture-raised, organic beef, pork, poultry & eggs on 300+ acres under a rotational grazing system. In this episode, Steve & Annelise summarize their business model and describe their core farming values. After that, Steve reviews important considerations in a rotational grazing system, and Annelise explains how they market their meat. Be sure to catch part two of this focus on Fresh Valley Farms. Next time, Steve & Annelis ..read more