Good question. A strict definition would mean that the soil is continuously regenerated after every crop is harvested. No system can be at this point until the circular nutrient economy is established. Right now, nearly all our nutrients are flushed out the sewers. While some biosolids make it back to the land, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals can accumulate. This is the problem we need to solve to be truly regenerative.

I believe it is similar. I see soil health as the sustained capacity of the land to yield productive, profitable crops, resist environmental challenges, and ensure that both farm and adjacent lands are stewarded for the success and enjoyment of future generations.

It is a newer term that covers what I’m trying to do better than regenerative agriculture or soil health. It’s hard to define both of those terms or to have a way to measure them.

Climate-Smart simply means that they are practices that help farmers adapt to the climate and don’t contribute to the degradation of the environment around them. If the practice can also enhance the environment it is a win-win for the farmer and society.

The art of Climate-Smart is making the practices easy to implement and to make financial sense. If they don’t contribute to the economic stability of the farm, especially in the short-term, they won’t be adopted.

I have nearly two decades of experience in dryland and irrigated specialty crop agriculture in Southern Alberta, Canada. I have purposely kept my business consulting only. I do not sell any of the products that could be used in regenerative agriculture because I want to be free to recommend what is best for my clients. Sometimes the best advice is to use what you already have. I am not tied up in any software that clients need to use. Most importantly, I do not have systems to follow. I work one on one to learn what will work best for my clients.

I can never remember a time that agriculture was not a part of my life … [read more]

M.Sc. - Masters of Science

P.Ag - Professional Agrologist

CCA - Certified Crop Advisor

A master’s degree is one level above a standard four year degree. I choose to do this because I wanted to dive deeper into the scientific process by setting up, testing, and writing up my own project. I was ahead of the time because the project - which tried to bring organic weed control into conventional farming systems - is an example of what we would call regenerative agriculture today.

An agrologist is a broad term for anyone who touches plants or soils. Many agrologists in Alberta work in reclamation after oil & gas activity. This designation also covers agronomists - those who work with crops & soils, usually directly with farmers. The CCA designation is specific to agronomists and is usually more recognized by farmers than the P.Ag designation.

Learn more about me here

One day as I was thinking about the five soil health principles it came to me that really it all came down to plants. Obviously, keeping a living root in the ground and having a diversity of plants involves them.

Keeping the soil covered still involves them because it’s their dead material that does the job. Minimizing disturbance is a practice that enables them to grow.

Integrating animals may seem not to involve them but without plants the animals have no reason to be there. The plants provide the food … [read more]

I realized that the best way I could give advice was to not have any products to sell. Even selling cover crop seed would limit me. This frees up farmers to use their own seed or use their own trusted dealers. This goes for any other products that could be used. I look at the options, make my recommendations, and farmers can decide what works best for them.

I sell my consulting services and my book "Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture." Once you engage with me you get all the information and are free to implement on your own, hire another company, or continue working with me. Although I love working with you over the long term I don’t make it a condition of working together or try to hook you onto the next package when the current one expires.

Yes! I’m one of the few independent agronomists in the Prairies that understands organic production and does not sell products. Distance is not an issue. I can meet you at your farm in person, work online or through the phone, or a combination of the two.

No! I work with many conventional producers who never plan to be organically certified, those that are considering organic certification, and those that are transitioning or fully certified. I find that working with producers in many systems allows me to bring a unique perspective to those at any point on the spectrum.