Producers gathered in Lac Ste. Anne County for the Story of the Weeds Breakfast Plot Tour, combining breakfast, expert talks, and field demonstrations. Highlights included presentations on weed biology and biological controls, updates on Farming Forward’s thistle rust fungus project, a virtual demo of the Weed Zapper, and a look at our weed suppression research plots and new soil sampling truck.

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.

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.

Grade 4 students got hands-on with soil and water at Barrhead Water Works Day, learning how nature works beneath their feet, just as rain began to fall from above.