572: Neil Boyd on Life on a Grain Farm.
Farming in Northern Alberta.
In This Podcast:
Farming in Northern Canada can be challenging due to short growing seasons and soil so thick that only resilient plants survive. However, Neil Boyd understands the land better than most and he also knows the secrets to successful farming while being a sustainable land steward. Listen in to learn about cool season crop rotation, the importance of no till seeding, and the type of “trash” that is good for the environment.
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Our Guest:
Neil was born and raised on a fourth-generation farm which was originally homesteaded by his grandfather in 1913. Through the years he has attended a college of agriculture and been involved with plant and animal research organizations. Along with his wife Ruby, plus family and friends, the land now produces cool season grain crops in a way that preserves the soil. Besides farming, he is currently the vice-president of the Feathered Pipe Foundation, a Yoga retreat center in Montana, and has done volunteer work in Africa with water filter systems and youth leadership training.
Listen in and learn about:
- The story behind Neil’s family farm
- What are cold season crops
- What are the challenges of farming in Northern Alberta
- Which crops does Neil consider “bullet proof”
- What makes Neil’s farmland arable
- The benefits of no till seeding
- Integrating yoga and farming
- What kind of trash creates healthy soil
- How Neil defines the triple bottom line on the farm
As well as:
His failure – Treating the causes of his crop failures and not the symptoms
His success – Being open to new ideas for farming practices
His drive – His responsibility to the land and himself
His advice – “Don’t sit around too much, get out in nature and be mindful and present in the moment”
Neil’s Book recommendations:
All the Marvelous Earth by Jiddu Krishnamurti
How to reach Neil:
Email: podcast@urbanfarm.org
www.urbanfarm.org/neil
