Dale Hamilton's performance at the Yukon Agriculture Association’s North of 60 Banquet showcased alternative farming methods and highlighted the challenges and benefits of transitioning from conventional to regenerative practices.
One-woman theatre performance depicted a hypothetical debate among family members with different ideas about the future of their farm. They discussed the challenges of transitioning from conventional methods to regenerative practices, which are believed by Hamilton to help mitigate climate change.
Dr. Dorthea Gregoire, a program manager at Canadian Organic Growers, spoke at the banquet and provided feedback on the performance during a question-and-answer session at the Yukon public library on Nov. 24.
She commented on some of the methods brought up in the performance and shared an industry perspective to making the transition to sustainable practices.
“I've been working with farmers for over a decade, but what I do is help farmers transition to regenerative organic agriculture,” Gregoire said.
“I came to the Yukon because I find that small mixed farms are the easiest to transition. It has the biggest, quickest payoff to make those changes.”
Specific examples of alternative farming practices during the performance focused on moving away from agrichemicals and towards more diverse, regenerative and nature-based approaches.
These include using biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from waste wood, to improve soil health; implementing rotational soil trampling with cattle to naturally fertilize and aerate soil; transitioning from synthetic fertilizers to natural alternatives such as rock phosphates and nitrogen-fixing plants; and planting flower strips to attract natural pest predators.
Dr. Gregoire, an attendee from Manitoba, pointed out that larger scale farming operations are encumbered by high debt and cash flow restrictions, often making transitions toward new farming methods risky.
She noted that federal and territorial subsidies offer Yukon farmers a good opportunity to diversify their practices while reducing financial risk.
The governments of Canada and Yukon jointly fund specific agricultural projects and initiatives, according to a Yukon government (YG) webpage. The eligibility criteria broadly covers whether a farming project’s operations can help reduce greenhouse gases, promote sector growth or adds resiliency.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3.5 billion five-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, according to a federal government webpage.
Dr. Gregoire highlighted that these subsidies can provide a safety net for farmers to experiment with new projects that meet funding eligibility criteria, as she says has been demonstrated in the Yukon.
Hamilton's performance highlighted the indigenous practice of growing corn, squash, and beans together to boost crop yield.
According to the Yukon government website, developing a First Nations agriculture or food system qualifies for agricultural project funding. The “Three Sisters” crop model was noted in Hamilton’s performance and is widely used by several First Nations of the Great Lakes to the St. Lawrence Lowlands regions, according to a federal government webpage on scientific achievements in agriculture.
Hiring scientific consultation for assessments on projects that require a permit from the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) is also an eligible activity for applicants of the YG agriculture fund.
Hamilton's performance highlighted bio-dome wood-burning projects in Montana that use waste wood to produce biochar as a regenerative farming method. According to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act, this technology may require assessment or permitting for agricultural facility construction.
Another possible requirement for permitting regenerative agricultural activities under the act is planting "beetle banks." This involves mixing flowers with crops to attract predator insects for pest control. The British Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust trialled this project and introduced the first beetle banks to the Netherlands, according to the European Regional Development Fund.
Hamilton’s performance demonstrates a model that North American growers can adopt. The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario points out that while there are successful examples of beetle banks in North America, particularly in attracting predator beetles, these are mostly found in agroecosystems on the west coast of the United States. There are limited examples in the east or among small-scale farmers and market gardens.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
