What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative Agriculture is an approach to farm and ranch management that aims to reverse climate change through practices that restore degraded soils. By rebuilding soil organic matter and soil biodiversity we significantly increase the amount of carbon that can be drawn down from the atmosphere while greatly improving soil fertility and the water cycle. Practices involved in Regenerative Agriculture include no-till/minimum tillage techniques, the use of cover crops, crop rotations, compost, and animal manures, the inoculation of soils with composts or compost extracts to restore soil microbial activity, and managed grazing.
Source: Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems – CSU, Chico (csuchico.edu)
Visit the MFGA Youtube page for videos related to Regenerative Agriculture!
Annual MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference - Past Presentation Links
Video recordings on our 6th Annual Regenerative Ag Conference held November 13-15, 2023, Brandon Mb can be found here.
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2023 MFGA Regenerative Conference
The 2023 Regenerative Agriculture Conference was recorded and soon to be released. The agenda is outlined below.
Nov 13 Session - Day 1 Video Link.
Shifting our Minds to Shape Tomorrow
Derek & Tanis Axten, Axten Farms Ltd., (Saskatchewan)
MFGA Session Host: Mike DuguidProducer Panel:
Jim Appleby, Stoney Brook Creamery (Friedensfeld, MB); Kristelle Harper, Circle H Farms (Brandon, MB)The Soil to Human Health Connection
Kalie Rider, Nutrition Consultant and Educator (North Dakota)
MFGA Session Host: Chelsi MalachMFGA Night:
MFGA Night will feature a roundabout of updates on MFGA’s core projects: MAW In Manitoba; Regeneration Canada Update; MB Wildlife & MFGA: Bird Surveys on four MFGA Regen Ag Farms; DUC's Wetland Flux Towers; MFGA Regen Ag Study at PESAI; Watershed Spotlight; ACC & MFGA; Assiniboine River Basin Initiative; Regenerative Ranching ProgramDay 2 Session - Day 2 Video Link.
Topic: Pollinators and Prairie Landscapes
Keynote Speaker: Paul Galpern, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta)
MFGA Session Host: Amber McNishTopic: Manitoba Beef and Bees
Keynote Speaker: Ian Steppler, Manitoba BeeKeepers Association (Miami, MB)
MFGA Session Host: Zack KoscielnyPRODUCER PANEL:
Troy Stozek, Fresh Roots Farm (Cartwright, MB);
Yvonne Lawley, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB); Trent Alexander, Little Lane Acres Beef Farmer (Lenore, MB)ING: ‘COMMON GROUND’ MOVIE.opic: Organic Dairy Operations
Keynote Speaker: Korb Whale, Mapleton’s Organic Dairy Farm (Moorefield, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Lawrence KnockaertPRODUCER PANEL:
Morley Sundell, Sunflo Dairy (Holland, MB);
Sean Smith, Clanman Jerseys (Clanwilliam, MB)Fireside Chat: Topic: The Power and Potential of Regenerative Agriculture
Keynote Speaker: Jon Lundgren, Director, EcDysis Foundation and Blue Dasher Farm Blain Hjertaas, Understanding AgricultureDay 3: Day 3 Video Link
Topic: Manitoba Water Resources in Climate Change
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Steven Frey, Aquanty (Waterloo, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Duncan MorrisonBY SPEAKER’S REQUEST: EXCLUDED FROM VIDEO RECORDING
Topic: Comprehending the Carbon Cycle to Support a Healthy Farm System
Keynote Speaker: Brendon Rockey, Potato Producer, Rockey Colorado Farm (Colorado)
MFGA Session Host: Andrea HamiltonPRODUCER PANEL:
Chad Berry, Under the Hill Farms Potato Producer (Glenboro, Mb);
Susan Ainworth, Owner, Stolon Glance Agronomy (Brandon, MB);
Russell Jonk, Swansfleet Alliance (Bruxelles, MB)Topic: Raised On Regen
NEXT GENERATION FARMER PRODUCER PANEL: Bluesette Campbell, Holistic Management Canada (Sask);
Nathan Beernaert (Hartney, MB);
Marika Dewar-Norosky, Manitoba Organic Alliance (Newdale, MB);
Max Wegner (Lenore, MB)
MFGA Session Host: Larry Wegner -
The 2022 Regenerative Agriculture Conference Day 1 was not recorded but Day 2 is available on the MFGA Youtube channel. The agenda is outlined below.
DAY 1 THEME: CARBON ERA - NO VIDEO AVAILABLE
YOU'VE GOT CARBON - NOW WHAT?
Moderators: Ryan Boyd (Nuffield Scholar 2019; South Glanton Farms, Forrest, Mb); Kimberley Cornish (Food Water Wellness Foundation, Olds, Ab)Producer Panel: ANNUAL CROPS
Chelsi Malach (MFGA board; grain farmer, Hartney, Mb)
Lori-Ann Kaminski (Research Manager; Manitoba Crop Alliance)
David Rourke (PhD candidate; farmer, Minto, Mb)Producer Panel: GRAZING
Cameron Hodgins (Woodworth Grazing Club; farmer, Lenore, Mb)
Mike Duguid (MFGA/MBP board; farmer, Arnes, Mb)Producer Panel: MARKETS/TRENDS
Kara Kroeger (Grassroots Carbon, Texas)
Antonious Petro (Regeneration Canada, Montreal)
Michael Thiele (DU Grazing Clubs/Understanding Ag, Shoal Lake, Mb)
Stuart Chutter (Alberta Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Leduc, Ab)CANADA’S FIRST-EVER AGRI-FOOD SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
Speaker: David McInnes (DMci Strategies)
Q&A: Moderators: Kimberly Cornish, Ryan BoydMFGA NIGHT
MFGA Night will feature a roundabout of updates on MFGA’s core projects:
MFGA Aquanty Model Forecasting Tool, Prairie Watersheds Climate Program, DU Canada’s Wetland Flux Towers, Kernza Study UpdateGOLF COURSE HEALTH: MAKING THE LINKS TO REGEN AG
Speaker: Randy Booker (Director of Operations at Otter Creek Golf Club, Otterville, On)DAY 2: THEME: SOIL HEALTH FOCUS: HERD HEALTH, PEOPLE HEALTH, PRODUCER PROSPERITY - DAY 2 VIDEO LINK
PALATES LINK SOIL, PLANTS, LIVESTOCK, PEOPLE
Keynote Speaker: Fred Provenza (Author & Phd; Utah State University, Logan, Ut)MADE IN MANITOBA PRODUCER PANEL
Moderator: Mae Elsinger (Rangeland Biologist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Producers: Jacques Saquet (MFGA board/Manitoba Bison Association; bison farmer, Laurier, Mb)
Amber McNish (Union Forage; farmer, Lyleton, Mb)TURNING THE TABLES: THE DIRT ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND HEALTH
Keynote Speaker: Kara Kroeger (Grassroots Carbon, Texas)MADE IN MANITOBA PRODUCER PANEL
Moderator: Lawrence Knockaert (MFGA Chair/Dairy Farmers of Manitoba; dairy farmer, Bruxelles, Mb)
Producers: Shauna Breault (Breault Family Ranching, Toutes Aides, Mb)
Sean Smith (Clanman Jerseys, dairy farmer, Clanwilliam, Mb)REGEN AG IN YOUR REGION - PRODUCER PANEL
Moderator: Laura Rance (Glacier Farm Media)
Producers: Scott Duguid, Interlake; Peter Penner, Red River Valley; Andrea Hamilton, South Central; Peter Tokar, Parkland/West Central; Guy Bouchard, Eastman; Tyler Fewings, SW Manitoba/SE Sask -
2021 MFGA Regenerative Ag Hybrid Conference
MFGA has made our 2021 Regenerative Agriculture Conference videos available to all. Our 2021 event was delivered in hybrid format - online and in-person attendees - which at peak time and when combined reached past 300 delegates.
NOV 15 SESSION - DAY 1 VIDEO LINK
Understanding the Impacts of Water and Methane Cycles on the Climate, Walter Jehne, Australia
NOV 16 SESSION - DAY 2 VIDEO LINK
Diverse Regenerative Ag Systems in Practice, Bertie Coetzee, South Africa
Producer Panel: MultiSpecies in Manitoba
Moderator: Jacques Saquet, Laurier, MB
Wayne McDonald, Cartwright, MB
Zack Koscielny, Strathclair, MB
Guy Bouchard, Gardenton, MBSoil Organic Matter Science, Francesca Cotrufo, Colorado State
Regenerative Dairy, Jono Frew, New Zealand
Producer Panel: Manitoba Regenerative Dairy
Moderator: Lawrence Knockaert, Bruxelles, MB
Sean Smith, Minnedosa, MB
Henry Nyhof, Ile des Chenes, MB
Paul Kernaleguen, Birch Hills, SKMeasuring Change and Getting Paid, Kim Cornish, Alberta, Canada
NOV 17 SESSION - DAY 3 VIDEO LINK
Bringing Life Back to the Farm with Livestock, Blake Vince, Ontario, Canada
Producer Panel: Crop Residue Grazing
Moderator: Ryan Boyd, Forrest, MB
Joey Bootsman, Rapid City, MB
Ted Unruh, Cromer, MB
Duane Thompson, Kelliher, SKAgroforestry in Design and Practice, Stephen Briggs, UK
Optimizing Grazing Systems, Pablo Etchebury, Argentina
Producer Panel: Ultra High Stock Density Grazing
Moderator: Kristelle Harper, Brandon MB
Mark Hoimyr, Gladmar, SK
Connor English, Bradwardine, MBWhat would a Regenerative Ag Landscape in Manitoba Look Like?, Ryan Boyd, Forrest, MB
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2020 MFGA Regenerative Ag Virtual Conference
A month-long celebration with four speakers over four evenings: A 45-minute video with Made-in-Manitoba focus; Live Q&A, MFGA leaders as moderators; Local Producer Panel. The below sessions are posted on the MFGA YouTube Channel!
NOV 5 SESSION
- “Sacred Cow” Presentation
- Q & A in pdf
Speaker: Diana Rodgers -
MFGA Moderator: Ryan Boyd
Panel: Regenerative Food in the Manitoba Supply Chains
• Dana Penrice - Holistic Management/Savoury Institute
• Dustin Peltier - Loaf and Honey
• Curtis Brown - Food Ethos FarmNOV 12 SESSION
- Turning on the biological soil-gut system
- Speaker Q & A in pdf
Speaker: Nicole Masters
MFGA Moderator: Larry Wegner
Panel: Fostering Soil Biology
• Chris Raupers - Cardale Grain, Cardale
• Joe Gardiner - Farmer/partner Covers and Co, Clearwater
• Alexander Boersch - Farmer/owner Regen AgSolutions, ElieNOV 19 SESSION
- Making the Most of the Water Resources on Your Farm
- Q & A in pdf - coming
Speaker: Mark Shepard
MFGA Moderator: Matt Van Steelandt
Panel: Opportunities and Experiences for effective water use on farm in the northern prairies
• Justin Girard - Hearts and Roots Farm, La Salle
• Takota Coen - Coen Farm, Central AlbertaNOV 26 SESSION
- Grazing Ruminants: a resilient long-term solution to agriculture productivity and profitability
- Q & A in pdf
Speaker: Ryan Boyd
MFGA Moderator: Arron Nerbas
Panel: Integrating Cattle - Making it Work in Manitoba
• Brett McRae - McRae Land and Livestock, Brandon
• Nick Cowan - Farmer, Hartney
• Brian Harper - Circle H Farms, Brandon -
2019 MFGA Regenerative Ag Forum
A 1.5 day conference.
NOV 20 SESSIONS
- Jay D. Fuhrer - Five Principles in Soil Health - SLIDES 1-50 - Nov 20, 2019
- Jay D. Fuhrer - Five Principles in Soil Health - SLIDES 51-105 - Nov 20, 2019
- Dr. Mary-Jane Orr - MBFI Presentation - Nov 20, 2019
2018 MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference
Our first Annual Conference held over 2.5 days
NOV 27 SESSIONS
- Don Campbell - Holistic Financial Planning
- Pam Iwanchysko - Planned Grazing
- David Johnson - Diversity of Life in Soils
NOV 28 SESSIONS
- Kris Nichols - Linking Regenerating Soils
- Burke Teichert - Profitable Ranch Management
- Lana Shaw - Making it Work at Ground Level
- Martin Entz - Diversity for Regenerative Farming
- Blain Hjertaas - Grazing Management: The Biggest Profit Potential
- David Rourke - Regenerative Ag: Gotta Do it Now!
- Garry Richards - Regenerative Ag: The people, the land, and the business
- Cedric MacLeod, CFGA - Monetizing Soil Carbon Storage in Canadian Grassland Systems