Joel Williams has been interested in soil for a long time. Twenty years ago, the topic wasn’t so “cool”, he says. But as farmers are increasingly implementing practices of regenerative agriculture to reduce their reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, interest in integrated nutrient management is building along with it.
He’s become known worldwide as an independent plant and soil health educator. Known for his ability to engage all types of farms interested in agroecological systems, he helps those seeking to learn more about soil biology, plant nutrition and the role that healthy ecosystems can offer in crop protection and fertility.
Williams will be the featured educator for a mini course on integrated nutrient management being hosted by Regeneration Canada and Sustainable Grain on March 23. Participants will learn about strategies to improve nutrient use efficiencies and reduce fertilizer inputs as part of transitioning into regenerative agriculture practices.
Originally from Australia, he has an interest in managing soil microbial ecology along with crop and soil nutrition to optimize plant immunity, soil function and soil carbon sequestration.
He’ll provide a high-level overview of the many factors that interplay between plants, roots, soils, and weather, in the production of field crops.
“The topic of soil health soil health really paved the way for this current regenerative agricultural movement. Soil health is a super broad term and it’s very subjective and context dependent, but it’s an acknowledgement that soils are really important, and they’re important part of ecosystems,” he says. “Degradation of soil is a huge concern and will ultimately undermine yield.”
The course will also feature two farm innovators leading the regenerative agriculture movement in Western Canada: Alex Boersch and Chris Raupers, two expert practitioners operating grain farms in Manitoba. While Williams explains how agroecology works scientifically, Boersch and Raupers will explain how they’ve put it into practice and share the results.
It’s hoped that this overarching introduction to the concepts and tactics of integrated nutrient management will set the stage for a series of in-field demonstrations and workshop-style events to be held in person across the Canadian Prairies in the summer of 2022.
To register visit the Regeneration Canada website and follow the links!
