Land Stewardship Model Channeling Investments for Regenerative Agriculture (RA) Advancements
Join us for a roundtable discussion on advancing sustainable agriculture through partnerships between farmers and conservation groups, exploring different models including the mentioned land stewardship model. The event will begin with a presentation outlining various conservation approaches and including their utility, drawbacks and advantages. Following this will be a presentation by Sheldon Atwood, summarizing the Land Stewardship Model, examples of its successful implementation, ongoing pilots in Alberta, and opportunities for various stakeholders to participate and advance regenerative agriculture in Alberta and beyond. A dynamic discussion will follow with stakeholders from the government, conservation groups, land ownership groups, farmers, finance professionals, and academics. Attendees will discuss the current status, potential of the new model, probable risk factors, and prospective innovations to explore the potential for evolving from existing land ownership and business models. The session will highlight how to foster greater collaboration between sectors to develop cohesive, impactful strategies for driving sustainable agricultural practices forward. It should be noted that the event recordings and discussion notes might be used for the publications without revealing the speakers' identities. Anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained per the Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board guidelines.
About the speakers:
Tatenda Mambo: Tatenda is a postdoctoral associate at the Simpson Centre for Agriculture at UCalgary. He earned a PhD in human geography investigating urban food insecurity in southern Africa. His research explores regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems, and food security. Using a systems thinking approach, Tatenda is particularly interested in how agricultural systems can support ecological functions, build resilient farm communities, address local food needs, and address environmental problems. His ongoing projects include work with climate adaptation organizations such as Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and grassroots community organizations that work with racialized groups.
Sheldon Atwood, PhD: Sheldon brings over 20 years of expertise in ranch management, real estate investment, project financing, and conservation initiatives, making him a leader in sustainable land stewardship and regenerative agriculture. He holds a BSc in Animal Science, a Master’s in Rangeland Resources, and a PhD in Range Science, with extensive experience owning and managing over 25,000 acres of ranchlands across North Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, and Alberta, Canada. Sheldon co-founded Banner Resource Management, LLP, and Carrus Land Systems, LLC, both focusing on conservation-oriented agricultural investments and property management. As a founding member of the BEHAVE network, Sheldon continues to contribute to innovative research on animal behavior and sustainable rangeland management.
ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS:
After summarizing recent research and workshop findings, Tatenda will introduce Sheldon Atwood, who will present land co-ownership models, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration in sustainable agriculture. The event will feature discussions on conservation approaches, the Land Stewardship Model, and its implementation in Alberta, with participation from various stakeholders. The session explores ways to build synergy across sectors and foster collaboration for advancing regenerative agriculture, with all discussions adhering to anonymity and confidentiality guidelines. The discussions will revolve around the following questions:
Addressing Governance and Efficiency Gaps:
Potential for stronger governance through co-ownership structures
Enhancing resource management efficiency by sharing responsibilities
Addressing implementation challenges like financial risks and operational complexity
Prioritizing Stakeholder Interests:
Farmers' interests in sustainable practices and long-term land use
Conservation groups' goals for environmental protection and biodiversity
Financial institutions' focus on investment returns and risk mitigation
Propositions for clear roles, financial incentives, and risk-sharing mechanisms
Stakeholder Engagement and Model Exploration:
Engage farmers, conservation groups, landowners, financial institutions, and government
Explore the model's impact on farmland financialization and market dynamics
Deepen understanding of collaboration opportunities and policy support for successful adoption
ABOUT THE SIMPSON CENTRE.
The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy is an academic policy institute that supports Canadian agri-food and agriculture, affiliated with the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Our aim is to mobilize research for better policymaking and decision-making to realize a more sustainable agricultural industry. Strengthening the sustainability of agri-food and agribusiness means increasing food production to feed a growing global population, while attending to social and health impacts and the natural environment. Our three key areas of research: 1) Agriculture and Society (population health and environment), 2) Agriculture and Economics (sustainable productivity), and 3) Agricultural Literacy (public education and outreach). The Simpson Centre remains neutral throughout its research process and in its research outputs. We connect researchers, citizens, industry stakeholders and government actors to scientific issues critical to the future of Canada’s agricultural and food system.