"Three sisters" cropping, the traditional intercrop mix of corn, squash and beans, is highlighted during the Indigenous Farm and Food Festival in Batoche, Sask. in late September 2025.

When ag science meets ag culture

Reporter’s Notebook: With traditional agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples gaining scientific backing, a mindset shift may become more possible

Long overdue it may be, but the wider farming and ag science communities are now earnestly revisiting “ancient” techniques, rooted in the principle of maintaining natural balance, for use in contemporary gardening, cropping and livestock husbandry, Janelle Rudolph writes.

Green farm fields in Ontario.

Farm resilience pilot projects launched

The Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) aims to reduce farmer risk for adopting sustainable farm practices with projects outlined Oct. 7

The Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) aims to reduce farmer risk for adopting sustainable farm practices with projects outlined Oct. 7.





Soil samples taken after harvest are collected and analyzed for residual soil nutrients. Here, samples are separated for analysis at a depth of zero to six inches, and six to 12 inches.

Federal government supports soil health strategy

Ottawa revealed its support at a recent soil health conference but did not make a financial commitment

Sophie Beecher, director general at Agriculture Canada, said at a soil conference in Winnipeg that the feds support the idea of a national soil health strategy.

Choices in fertilizer and other soil amendments have never been as broad as they are today. However, since changes to the regulations a few years ago, it is suggested that farmers be vigilant in their approach to efficacy of the products they choose.

Soil health skepticism prevalent among Prairie farmers

Survey finds that many Prairie farmers are side-eyeing the popularity of soil health and its priority in Canada’s agriculture policy

Many Prairie farmers are side-eyeing the popularity of soil health and soil health promoting practices and the priority they’re given in Canada’s agricultural policy, according to survey.





Marla Reikman, of Manitoba Agriculture.

Reduce the risk of adopting farm sustainability

Canadian farmers are told that sustainability practices will be good for both them and the environment, but adopting those practices comes with financial risk that industry says must be addressed if farmers in general are going to jump on boardMany new ideas come with inherent risk, and mitigating that risk is key to adoption

Canadian farmers are told that sustainability practices will be good for both them and the environment, but adoption comes with financial risk that industry says must be addressed if farmers in general are going to jump on board.