Steward of the Land: ALUS Parkland’s Carla Rhyant

“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.

Zack Koscielny on creating Rural Resilience on the Prairies

Zack Koscielny on creating Rural Resilience on the Prairies

A new generation of farmers finding community and peer-to-peer support through regenerative farming with ALUS  Zack Koscielny on Green Beach Farm and Food at the Prairie Hub field conference. Zack and his family live near Strathclair, Manitoba, and together they...

Southwest Iowa first community in the United States to adopt ALUS

Southwest Iowa first community in the United States to adopt ALUS

Toronto, ON and Oakland, IA, March 12, 2024 – Iowa farmer Seth Watkins collaborated with Cara Morgan at Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) to be the first US community to adopt the ALUS program, Canada’s leading agricultural ecosystem...

Farmers Invest in Nature for Big Impact

Farmers Invest in Nature for Big Impact

A profile of ALUS Norfolk participants Leah & Marty VanTilMarty & Leah VanTil with their ALUS wetland in the background. Credit: ALUS Norfolk.Located in Port Dover, Ontario, Leah and Marty VanTil’s 40-acre farm includes rolling hills and shallow valleys....