Ask the Expert: The 5S of Soil Sampling
Collecting consistent, quality soil data can make all the difference in understanding your soil carbon and fertility trends. Graham Gilchrist, PAg, shares a simple “5S” approach for taking samples the same time, place, depth, and way each year.

In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we share early results from our Canada thistle rust fungus trial, a full recap of the What a Waste seminar, updates from the bale grazing plot, and a Save the Date for our November producer event, Gathering Ground. Plus, surveys, training opportunities, and fall programming updates for producers across West-Central Alberta.

In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we wrap up the summer event season with the upcoming What a Waste seminar, share a new carcass composting infographic, explore indoor fodder systems, and highlight practical resources for Alberta producers—from OFCAF cover cropping support to grazing education and fall events.

Fresh forage in the middle of winter? Fodder systems make it possible. From a basement setup at Titan Ranch to a larger cattle-feeding system at Warrior Rizen Ranch, Alberta producers are experimenting with sprouted grain as a supplement to winter rations. Learn how fodder works, and see examples you can scale to your own operation.

Welcome Jessica back into her new role as Assistant Manager at Farming Forward.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly highlights farm plastic recycling efforts, a recap of our Brazeau County plot tour on soil health and drought resilience, upcoming events like the What a Waste seminar, plus community news, recipes, and grazing resources for Alberta producers.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features soil sampling tips, a new DNA test for blue-green algae, highlights from our Story of the Weeds tour, upcoming events in Brazeau County and Woodlands, plus community updates and innovations for Alberta producers.

Blue-green algae can quickly turn dugout water toxic, but what if you could detect it before a bloom appears? A student-led team is developing a fast, in-field DNA test to spot cyanobacteria up to a week early. They’re looking for producer feedback to make sure this tool works on the ground. If you rely on dugouts or surface water, share your perspective in their short survey.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features the Story of the Weeds plot tour, soil testing insights at Digging Deeper, fall workshops, and community ag events.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features soil health insights from Dr. Jill Clapperton, ALUS field day details, upcoming plot tours on weeds and drought resilience, and key Alberta ag surveys.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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!

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.

Join Farming Forward’s province-wide effort to scout for thistle rust fungus—an eco-friendly tool in the fight against Canada thistle. Learn how to identify it and be part of the solution.