001. From Past Innovations to Future Possibilities: A Journey Through Regenerative Agriculture with Grant Lastiwka

In this episode of 'In Living Cover,' presented by the Regenerative Alberta Living Lab, host Kim Cornish is joined by Grant Lastiwka to delve into the evolution of regenerative agriculture practices in Alberta since the 1980s. They explore the grassroots innovations that transformed livestock grazing methods, introduced extended grazing practices like swath and bale grazing, and integrated scientific research with producer-driven experimentation. This rich narrative highlights the collaborative efforts that shaped current best practices in soil health, forage productivity, and land resilience, and discusses the future implications and ongoing challenges in adopting these regenerative techniques widely. 00:00 Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture 00:13 The Quiet Revolution of the 80s and 90s 00:22 Innovative Grazing Practices 00:48 Grant Lastiwka's Contributions 01:15 The Living Lab Model 02:41 Challenges and Successes in Grazing 05:18 Economic Drivers and Innovations 07:33 The Role of Electric Fencing 10:01 Producer-Driven Innovations 11:47 Intersection of Research and Practical Application 14:02 The Evolution of Grazing Practices 22:55 The Impact of Bale Grazing 29:18 The Role of Science and Community 39:16 Current Challenges and Future Directions 57:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If this conversation added context or sparked new thinking, join us for future episodes as we continue exploring what regeneration actually looks like in practice. These conversations are grounded in lived experience, shared learning, and on-the-ground innovation. To explore the research, field projects, and stories behind the conversations, visit the Regenerative Alberta Living Lab at: Instagram: @regenlivinglabFacebook: Regenerative Alberta Living Lab Website: regenlivinglab.org Also connect with us at: Instagram: @foodwaterwellness Facebook: FoodWaterWellnessFoundation Website: foodwaterwellness.org