603 Reminder: Where to find me
#RealisticRegenAg | February will be busy out meeting people and learning new things. Hey, what else is there to do in this climate? In this episode I’ll go over the places I’ll be in the upcoming month plus a new speaking engagement that has been added for March. And the book is on track to be ready for sale in March. More details in the March newsletter.
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-reminder
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
Where I’ll be in Winter 2024
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
Alberta Forage Industry Association - AGM & Speaking Engagement
Best Western Premier Edmonton Airport Hotel
Thursday March 14, 2024
Title: Cover Crops for Break Years: Improving the Soil for Perennial Production
Description: Incorporating cover crops into your break years can effectively control problem weeds, restore lost fertility, and improve soil structure. This presentation will discuss how these practices can fit into your farming system, which cover crops to use, and how to strike a balance between building soil health and maintaining a steady cash flow.
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.
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