Partners in the Ecosystem with Rebecca Harbut and Mike Bomford

In this episode, we’ll be doing some exploration into the relationship between society and regenerative agriculture and how one can help advance the other. But the real meat and potatoes of the last three episodes, just like in all the other episodes in this series, will be about getting to know and understand the boots on the ground folks who are leading the way on this change that we are seeing in the agriculture sector.

Meet Rebecca Harbut and Mike Bomford from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond, BC—prime examples of such trailblazers. Now, you might wonder, how do university professors fit the description of being ‘on the ground’? Well, let me tell you, KPU isn’t just any university; it boasts a farm that lies at the heart of Rebecca and Mike’s endeavors.

Moreover, as we’ve touched upon throughout this podcast series, with Canada’s population nearing the 40 million mark, farm and ranch operators, along with farm laborers, represent a mere fraction—around 1%—of the populace. The takeaway here? It’s going to require a collective effort, involving many of us outside the traditional farming community, to partner with that crucial 1%. This collaboration is key to expanding regenerative agriculture from a niche practice to a widespread one.

• 8:33 – Rebecca and Mike help us get to know them better. 
• 15:31 – How did the land that KPU sits on get involved in agriculture?
• 27:22 – What’s taking place on the KPU farm?
• 37:14 – What regenerative practices are used on the KPU farm? 
• 40:13 – Mike talks more about the farm’s crop rotation.
• 48:08 – What is the story that KPU farm is trying to tell?
• 53:31 – How hard was it for the university to take that leap into establishing an ecosystem?
• 58:45 – Why are community partners an important part of the ecosystem at the KPU farm?

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Stories of Regeneration
• Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
• Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map

If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:

• EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
• EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
• EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
• EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
• EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
• EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
• EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7

Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.

This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada