Growing the Future

Nuffield: A Passport for Agricultural Perspective

Episode Summary

Steve and his wife Vanessa live near Three Hills, AB, with their three children. A Professional Agrologist and Certified Crop Advisor, Steve has supported farmers for over 25 years. He has a diploma in Crop Advisory and a B.Sc. in Agriculture Studies. In 2008, he received a Nuffield Scholarship to study controlled traffic farming. In 2006, Steve founded Beyond Agronomy, providing agronomic services and strategies to farms in Canada and internationally. He also ran businesses in carbon and ag technology and published The Spark newsletter from 2008-2019.

Episode Notes

Steve and his wife Vanessa live near Three Hills, AB, with their three children. A Professional Agrologist and Certified Crop Advisor, Steve has supported farmers for over 25 years. He has a diploma in Crop Advisory and a B.Sc. in Agriculture Studies. In 2008, he received a Nuffield Scholarship to study controlled traffic farming.

In 2006, Steve founded Beyond Agronomy, providing agronomic services and strategies to farms in Canada and internationally. He also ran businesses in carbon and ag technology and published The Spark newsletter from 2008-2019.

A first-generation farmer since 2007, Steve operates a no-till research farm near Morrin, AB. He shares his expertise locally and internationally.

In his community, Steve enjoys making ice, coaching hockey, and winter activities with his family. He’s always ready for a brainstorming session.

Steve shares his vision for Nuffield Canada, including better communication and branding, and the goal of making the organization more widely known and impactful.

In this episode, Steve Larocque discusses:

• his journey with the Nuffield Scholarship and the impact it has had on his life and career.
• his experience with controlled traffic farming and the benefits it has brought to his farm, including improved soil health and increased yields.
• his approach to working with farmers, emphasizing the importance of confidence and execution in agronomy practices.
• the need for farmers to have a broader perspective and invest in further education to drive innovation and change in the industry.  
• the future of agriculture, including the role of autonomous equipment, the need for value-added products, and the importance of food processing.
• the shift towards sustainability and the challenges of navigating climate change policies.
• the need for farmers to be involved in policy-making and to have a strong voice in shaping the future of agriculture.
• the value of homeschooling and raising children who are informed about the industry.

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

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