601 Meet me this winter
Subscribe on your mobile device by touching the image above. Spotify is default, look below for all the options. If your podcast players isn’t listed just search “Plants Dig Soil” and it should be there.
#RealisticRegenAg | It’s conference season so I’m hoping to meet a bunch of you at in person and online events this winter. I’ll be listing off all the places I’ll be later on in the episode. I’ll also be talking about the new WhatsApp channel that I have created, a new Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design service plus, for those that go to the site posting or watch the video, you’ll see a sneak peak of my new book cover: Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture. I’ll have all of this plus content summaries and information about the services that I offer in this audio, and video, newsletter update. If you want to get this to your email or on LinkedIn, check out the links in the description as well.
Welcome to the sixth season of Plants Dig Soil, a podcast about #RealisticRegenAg. I’m your host, Scott Gillespie, and I’m an agronomist from the western Canadian prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I discuss scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, for resources and information about the services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.
Transcript is available:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/meet-me-winter-2024
Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp):
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S
My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking
My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP overview: https://youtu.be/0icitHJR2lk
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
My course: Profitable From the Start: Cover Crops for the Prairies:
https://plantsdigsoil.thinkific.com/courses/cover-crops-prairies
Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752
Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com
X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil
LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil
YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie
Realistic Regen Ag WhatsApp Channel
I want to let you know about a new initiative I’m trying. WhatsApp offers a feature called 'Channels,' which allows anyone to broadcast updates or news links to their followers. There's no commenting, but you can like the posts.
I searched for channels related to agriculture, farming, and regenerative practices and found none. So, I've created the 'Realistic Regen Ag' channel. You'll find a link in the description to try it out. If you don’t have WhatsApp, the link should direct you to the app store to download it. It functions similarly to text messaging but offers more features, and it's not exclusive to one brand of phone. If you’re interested in seeing all the articles I find, rather than just a summary of the top ones each month, check it out.
Where I’ll be in Winter 2024
Irrigated Crop Production Update
Agri Food Hub & Trade Centre in Lethbridge
Thursday January 18, 2024
I’ll have a booth and will chair the morning session.
Nutrient Management Webinar
Online (Lethbridge County)
Monday, January 29, 2024
I’ll be presenting “Cover Crop Clarity: Simplifying Selection for Alberta’s Farming Realities.”
Farming Smarter Conference & Trade Show
Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
Wednesday February 14 - Thursday February 15, 2024
I’ll have a booth set up.
Alberta Soil Science Workshop
Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
Tuesday February 20 - Thursday February 22, 2024
I’ll have a booth set up.
Ag Expo
Agri Food Hub & Trade Centre in Lethbridge
Tuesday February 27 - Thursday February 29, 2024
Booth 16 in the corridor looking towards Henderson Lake
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design
Hire me for your next event. I’ve given presentations (online and in-person), taught courses at Lethbridge College to diploma & degree students, and created workshops. A full list of my work is on my “Media” page. Most events are not recorded but a few have made it to YouTube. I’m up for just about anything so let me know what you need, and we’ll go from there.
Consulting Packages
I do not sell any products. I do not follow systems that others have created. I get to know your farm or agribusiness, your needs, and work to develop a plan that works for you. You are not locked in: Once the plan is created you are free to implement it on your own, hire another company, or retain me for help along the way.
$600 Q&A
You’ve got questions. I’ve got answers. Not sure where to begin? Do you need a sounding board for your ideas? Perhaps you want a second opinion on what your current advisor is suggesting. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.
Pricing includes one meeting in-person (within 100km of Taber, AB) or online and support through email, text, or phone for a 3 month period.
It is ideal for winter planning or seasonal support.
Upgrade to any other plan for the difference in cost anytime.
$3000 Farm Planning
I get to know your operation, where you are, and where you want to be. Give me access to as much, or as little, data as you like. Don’t worry if it’s not organized. I’ll figure it out.
Pricing includes four meetings in-person (within 100km of Taber, AB) or online and support through email, text, or phone for a 12 month period.
This is ideally started in the fall with new clients so that plans can be worked on over the winter. The summer can be used for implementing and fine-tuning them.
$2000 Annual Retainer
Unlike most agronomy businesses, I don’t try to hook you into my services year over year. I love to keep working with you over the long term though.
Pricing includes four meetings in-person (within 100km of Taber, AB) or online and support through email, text, or phone for a 12 month period.
This is ideal for existing clients who want support for the farm plan on an annual basis or who just want to have a resource throughout without a lot of upfront work.
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Content Summaries
541 From EEFs to Organic Challenges: This Month in Regenerative Ag
You've heard me mention that enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, yet they seldom boost yields. But what if we adjusted their usage rates? This approach might make them more economically viable for farmers and more beneficial for the planet.
In other news, I'll explore how long-term crop rotations benefit cash crops, the cost-benefit analysis of cover crop rotations, and a contentious issue in organic farming: Should organic growers facing unsolvable problems be permitted to temporarily revert to conventional methods to resolve these issues, and subsequently regain their organic certification?
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/from-eefs-to-organic-challenges
542 Seager Wheeler
A chance discovery in a used bookstore in Winnipeg introduced me to Seager Wheeler. He shared similarities with many settlers who arrived in the Canadian Prairies during the late 19th century, but he stood out above others as Western Canada’s Wheat King, gaining international recognition. What set him apart even more was the fact that he documented his experiences in a book. I stumbled upon a copy of "Profitable Grain Growing," dating back to the first printing in 1919. Join me in this episode as I delve into his life, his methods, and how you can access the entire book online if you're interested.
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/seager-wheeler
543 Precision Agronomy: Lessons from a semester of teaching
In several episodes of this podcast, I've shared my experiences teaching Precision Agriculture to diploma and degree students at Lethbridge College. Teaching is a reciprocal process, and through it, I've gained valuable insights into the future of agriculture and the evolving landscape of agronomy in the upcoming years and decades. Join me in this final episode of the season as we delve into the key takeaways from the past semester.
Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
Expected publication in March 2024*
Farmers are feeling the pressure to implement climate smart strategies from outside forces. Governments are making international commitments and agribusinesses are responding to consumer demands and shareholder resolutions. The hype of regenerative agriculture keeps growing. But what actually works? I have spent two decades working with farmers on the Western Canadian Prairies. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I’ve spent the time critically reviewing the science behind the claims. Whether you are a farmer, an agronomist, or anyone that touches agriculture, this book will help you find the practices that help the planet and, just as importantly, farmers’ economic sustainability.
* Worldwide Print On Demand plus Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook and Rakuten/Indigo Kobo. Any bookstore (chain or independent) wanting to stock will be able to order risk free with book return insurance at the normal trade discount.
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
S-CAP Funding ($150,000 per farm)
S-CAP = Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Many things are covered but the highlights are:
New technology, farm security, grain handling
Buying new or upgrading existing centre pivots,
Installing drip irrigation
Digging a well, developing water supplies for crops or livestock, decommissioning old wells
Developing a food safety plan or upgrading existing ones, developing new products or markets
Fencing in riparian areas, adding fencing (perimeter and internal)
Increasing legumes or establishing native or tame forages
Adding in shelterbelts, eco-buffers, and pollinator strips,
Intercropping annuals for grain harvest
Cocktail cover crops for green manure or forage
Establishing or enhancing wetlands.
My fees can usually be included in the funding.
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP overview: https://youtu.be/0icitHJR2lk
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
Profitable From the Start: Cover Crops for the Prairies
You'll make a Cover Crops FIRST (TM) Plan:
Fit
Implementation
Return-On-Investment
Species
Termination.
CCA Continuing Education Credits (CEU) available.
https://plantsdigsoil.thinkific.com/courses/cover-crops-prairies