When Farming Forward staff joined Parkland County’s Agricultural Service Board and ALUS Parkland on a tour of local conservation projects, we saw how marginal farmland is being reshaped into thriving natural areas. From eco-buffers that filter water and provide wildlife habitat, to pasture pipelines, riparian fencing, and pollinator plantings, these projects highlight how voluntary, farmer-led stewardship can benefit both agriculture and the environment. The success of a seven-year-old eco-buffer shows what’s possible when producers “farm the best and leave the rest.

From hands-on soil health trials in Wildwood to pasture walks with Dr. Jill Clapperton, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is full of events, producer hacks, and funding updates to help Alberta farms grow stronger and more resilient.

How can plant diversity and biological amendments improve compacted, clay-heavy soils? At our Wildwood trial site, we’re putting that question to the test. This research project evaluates five biological treatments alongside a diverse polycrop, measuring impacts on soil health, compaction, water infiltration, and forage quality. Learn more about what we’re testing, why it matters for Grey Luvisol soils, and how it could support more resilient pastures across the region.

From AgSmart highlights to soil health events with Dr. Jill Clapperton, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is packed with learning and opportunities for Alberta producers. Explore funding updates, innovative farm fixes, and local events designed to help your operation stay resilient and profitable.

Soil scientist, speaker, and global thought leader Dr. Jill Clapperton is passionate about helping farmers build thriving agroecosystems from the ground up. In this blog, get to know Jill’s philosophy on soil health, root canopies, and why small changes can spark powerful, positive results.

What do healthy soils have in common—whether you're grazing cattle, growing forage, or planting polycrops? In this article, we explore the five soil health principles that farmers and ranchers across Alberta (and beyond) are using to build resilient, productive land. Whether you're conventional, regenerative, or somewhere in between, these guidelines offer flexible ways to work with your soil—not against it.

From sheep grazing in Alberta cutblocks to new drone technology in the field, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is packed with stories of innovation and resilience. Catch our interview with High Country Shepherding, explore upcoming training and events, and see how producers are finding practical solutions for soil health, wildfire risk, and more.

In the cutblocks west of Edson, a flock of 1,200 sheep is quietly helping forests grow. High Country Shepherding uses low-impact grazing to manage vegetation where herbicides and heavy equipment fall short. With help from dogs, maps, and solar-powered camp life, Catie and her crew spend their days on foot—navigating grizzlies, slash piles, and shifting plant communities in one of Alberta’s most rugged landscapes.

Ready to take flight?
We’re planning a 2-day drone school in West-Central Alberta for late summer 2025. In partnership with Calgary-based AdvancedUAV, this hands-on training will cover spraying, mapping, scouting, and certification basics—built for producers, right here at home.

Curious? Read on and let us know if you’d be interested in attending.

Soil trials, weed ID, and upcoming events across West-Central Alberta — this week’s Accelerate Weekly digs into bale grazing, Tall Buttercup, and fresh ag innovations.

We're following a producer-led bale grazing project to explore how different levels of leftover bale residue—or “trash”—influence soil health and forage performance over time. This ongoing blog will share field updates, seasonal observations, and emerging insights from the trial as it unfolds. Stay tuned as we dig into the data and learn alongside our local producers.

Tall Buttercup: What Its Yellow Blooms Say About Your Soil
Don’t be fooled by the bright flower… Tall Buttercup is a toxic invader that thrives in soggy, compacted, or overgrazed pastures. Learn what this weed is telling you about your land and how to manage it with smarter grazing, better drainage, and competitive forages.

In this week’s issue: From spotting thistle rust fungus in the field to tackling scentless chamomile in your pasture, we’ve got fresh tools, tips, and events to keep you farming forward. Plus—goldfish as your new water tank cleaning crew?

Scentless Chamomile: A Pasture Invader in Disguise

With its cheerful white flowers, scentless chamomile might look innocent, but it signals stressed, compacted, and overgrazed soils. This aggressive weed reduces forage quality, offers almost no feed value, and spreads rapidly if left unchecked. Learn what it tells you about your pasture and how to manage it with stronger forages and better grazing strategies.

From new working fix to tackling Canada thistle and upcoming tours — get the latest tips, events, and community updates in this week’s Accelerate Weekly!

In this week’s ‘Story of the Weeds,’ learn what Canada Thistle says about your soil, its surprising forage potential, and how to reclaim your pasture with smart, integrated strategies.

Celebrate Canada, catch up on summer trials, and explore what hawkweed is telling us about your pastures — plus, don’t miss our upcoming soil health and grazing events!

Story of the Weeds: Orange & Meadow Hawkweed

These bright, daisy-like flowers may look harmless, but hawkweeds are aggressive pasture invaders. Their presence often signals low fertility, compaction, and overgrazing. Learn what these weeds reveal about your land, and how to manage or replace them with resilient forage.

Catch the latest issue of Accelerate Weekly!

Join our AgSmart bus tour, dig into the “Story of the Weeds,” and get carbon market updates from BCC’s Graham Gilchrist, plus wildfire evacuation resources and community news.

Story of the Weeds: Ox-eye Daisy

Ox-eye Daisy might look like a harmless wildflower, but in your pasture, it's telling a deeper story. This persistent weed thrives in acidic, low-fertility, and compacted soils — often where grazing pressure is high and plant competition is low. In this first post of our Story of the Weeds series, discover what Ox-eye Daisy reveals about your land, how it affects your livestock, and what you can do to manage or outcompete it.