Sustainable Grain is partnering with Joel Williams of Integrated Soils, and Lana Shaw from the Southeast Saskatchewan Research Farm, to deliver a comprehensive, one-day workshop on intercropping in Regina on April 9th. The course is designed for agronomists and farmers planning to switch acres into intercrops in 2019, looking to hone their knowledge, network and tactics heading into the growing season.

Why Should Farmers Try Intercropping? Intercropping is beneficial, economically and agronomically, for conventional and organic farms alike. Conventional farms can use it to create multiple revenue streams from the same fields, and to reduce pesticide and fertilizer costs. Organic farms deploy intercropping in the transition and certified years to help manage weeds and disease and to boost soil and plant ecosystem health overall within their ecologically-designed systems.

April 9th Workshop Agenda

8-8:20 Opening Remarks, Brenda Tjaden

8:20-9:15 Soils Alive: Managing soil biology to support intercrops, Joel Williams

9:15-10 The Sensibilities of Intercropping in the Current Ag Climate, Lana Shaw

10-10:15 Coffee

10:15-11:15 Farmer Panel: Intercropping failures and successes; yields; input costs

11:15-noon ROI Analysis of Intercrops and Green Manures, Brenda Tjaden

12-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:15 Soil Chemistry: Transitioning towards low input nutrient management systems, Joel Williams

1:15-2 Redvers Intercrop Research and Changing Crop Adaptation Areas, Lana Shaw

2-2:30 Case Studies of Regenerative and Organic Farm Intercrop Budgets, Brenda Tjaden

2:30-3:15 Exploration of Budgeting Framework and Assumptions, Farmer Panel

3:15-3:30 Coffee

3:30-4:30 Regeneration with Redesign: Using the ESR framework for step-wise change towards agroecology (efficiency, substitution, redesign), Joel Williams

4:30-5 Closing Remarks, Brenda