What is Regenerative Agriculture?

MFGA producers explain what regenerative agriculture means to them, their families, the environment and the organization in this beautifully filmed video.

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.

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 Duguid

Producer 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 Malach

MFGA 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 Program

Day 2 Session - Day 2 Video Link.

Topic: Pollinators and Prairie Landscapes
Keynote Speaker: Paul Galpern, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta)
MFGA Session Host: Amber McNish

Topic: Manitoba Beef and Bees
Keynote Speaker: Ian Steppler, Manitoba BeeKeepers Association (Miami, MB)
MFGA Session Host: Zack Koscielny

PRODUCER 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.

Topic: Organic Dairy Operations
Keynote Speaker: Korb Whale, Mapleton’s Organic Dairy Farm (Moorefield, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Lawrence Knockaert

PRODUCER 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 Agriculture

Day 3: Day 3 Video Link

Topic: Manitoba Water Resources in Climate Change
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Steven Frey, Aquanty (Waterloo, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Duncan Morrison

BY 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 Hamilton

PRODUCER 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

2022 MFGA Regenerative Ag Conference

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 Boyd

MFGA 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 Update

GOLF 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, MB

Soil 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, SK

Measuring 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, SK

Agroforestry 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, MB

What would a Regenerative Ag Landscape in Manitoba Look Like?, Ryan Boyd, Forrest, MB

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 Farm

NOV 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, Elie

NOV 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 Alberta

NOV 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