“I think the majority of farmers out there are true environmentalists: Most of the ranchers I know are spending a lot of time and a lot of effort trying to protect sensitive areas,” says ALUS Parkland participant Carla Rhyant.
In a video from ALUS’ “Stewards of the Land” series, Rhyant offers a tour of Rhyant Rock Farms, a specialty livestock operation raising heritage sheep and chickens on 66 acres near Stony Plain, Alberta.
The Rhyants believe that both small and large farms play a role in maintaining wildlife habitat. Their vision for their property includes not only a successful farm-gate sales operation, but also connected habitats for songbirds, waterfowl, bees and other wildlife.
The ALUS program is helping them achieve this vision for Rhyant Rock Farm, beginning with a wetland enhancement project on 1.73 acres established in 2015.
They plan to further maintain and enhance biodiversity through well managed and timed rotational grazing on their farm.
It’s not only the right thing to do for the environment, says Rhyant, but also, “it can even save us money as producers. When an environmental factor like a drought hits the farm, having greater biodiversity creates a higher resilience for the land, and that mitigates my risk as a farmer.”
Watch this “Stewards of the Land” video on our YouTube channel, here.
