Looking for ideas on what to do with that spot that’s too wet to farm? Interested in building your farm’s resilience to flooding and droughts while improving water quality within the greater watershed?
Join Luke Wonneck from the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society for a hands-on workshop on establishing and managing riparian forest buffers. You will gain skills in understanding what’s going on in your riparian area, what (if anything) needs to be done about it, and how to design forest buffers that provide valuable ecosystem services for your farm (e.g. bank stabilization, water filtration, pollinator habitat, food products, etc.).
Then you will take part in an active restoration effort – and get the chance to practice your tree planting skills!
When: Sunday, July 16th
Where: Redtail Farms
3 km south of Castor, Alberta on Range Road 142 (First farm on west side of the road)
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Potluck to follow.
Cost: $10 pay at the door (covers the cost of the workshop manual)
Register by emailing alberta@youngagrarians.org
About Luke Wonneck
Luke began working as AWES’ “Agroforestry Technician” in March of 2016, and has spent the last year designing and implementing planting projects, and providing extension on pollinators, pest suppressing insects, shelterbelts, and riparian restoration. Prior to this, he received a Master’s of Environmental Governance from the University of Oxford, and a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science from the University of Calgary.”
About Redtail Farms
Redtail Farms is nestled on a rich mix of rejuvenated grasslands and wetlands. Richard Griebel, Ian’s father, had a pioneering vision for healing both land and people through food, and understood the integral role that grazing animals on prairie grasses play in realizing these goals. Ian and his family continue to move this dream forward, working in a way that builds topsoil and biodiversity, sustains a third generation family farm and provides a nutrient dense product for our customers. Their farming goals include:
[RE]generation: We are committed to ensuring that the land is continually regenerated through the presence of our animals on the land. Using rotational and intensive grazing techniques we look to mimic the bison that so deeply defined the soils and ecology of our area. We believe that when enacted properly agriculture is an opportunity for ecological rejuvenation, and a sustainable future for generations to come.
[RE]lationships: Food is not simply a means of sustenance, it is an opportunity for social and ecological connection. Through the production and distribution of our local, sustainable meats we hope to be the intermediaries between resilient ecological systems and healthy communities and families. When eating our products we hope that you experience this sense of connection and reciprocity.
[RE]sponsibility: Instilled into all our practices and products is a dedication towards our environment, community and future generations. This sense of responsibility guides our farming practices. To slightly paraphrase an old adage, “We do not [only] inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children”.
Alberta Young Agrarians programming is supported by:
Status of Women Grant