Understanding and Defining Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Alberta: From Producer to Policy
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This paper explores the opportunities for Regenerative Agriculture (RA) in Alberta, aiming to inform effective policy design based on stakeholder input. It examines how farmers define RA, the RA practices they currently utilize, the barriers they experience in implementing RA practices and the opportunities for enabling policy design and implementation. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants with knowledge and experience with RA in Alberta. The findings reveal that defining RA requires a context-specific approach that considers regional conditions and individual farmer needs. Key barriers to the implementation of RA practices include Alberta’s climate, short growing season and a lack of producer knowledge. Insufficient inclusion of diverse perspectives in agricultural policymaking, disincentives for early adopters of RA and the lack of incentives for farmer participation in policy discussions are identified as policy gaps requiring adjustments. The findings highlight the need for tailored policies that accommodate the diverse needs of farmers while promoting the principles of RA. This study provides valuable insights into how farmers perceive government policies related to RA, offering policy recommendations to help develop more effective strategies to overcome barriers and promote the expansion of RA in Alberta.