Episode 125: Benefits and Challenges of Intercropping with Lana Shaw

Lana Shaw is the Research Manager at the Southeast Research Farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. She has been with the research farm since 2010, overseeing its transformation from a poorly funded facility into a center for innovative agricultural research. Lana holds a master's degree and has a background in government work related to agriculture.
Her work focuses on practical, applied experiments that benefit local farmers, with a particular interest in intercropping and companion cropping to improve soil health and agricultural sustainability. Lana comes from several generations of Canadian farmers, grounding her efforts in the long-term resilience and sustainability of farm communities.
In this episode, Lana and John discuss the:
The importance of intercropping testing
Innovative research to discover more efficient and effective farming methods
Importance of specialty crop variety development to support farmers
Inherent complexity in agricultural systems
Adoption of new techniques and technologies by farmers
Additional Resources
To learn more about the work happening at the South East Research Farm, please visit: southeastresea...
About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.
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Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.
Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.
AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.
AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.
Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.
Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: www.advancinge...
#regenerativeagriculture #johnkempf #soilhealth #planthealth #intercropping #lanashaw #planthealth #farming

[@projectmalus]

Forbes to the rescue. I wonder if chicory for coffee substitute would be a good mix with dry beans, since the beans could be harvested and the tops of the chicory are sort of bean like, so might not interfere. Harvest the roots next. I don't grow these other than home use, just throwing it out there. Plus those blue flower are awesome, and I've never seen bugs or disease on escarole or "red dandelion". They wilt quickly when picked as greens.

[@ryecarlson7867]

relay cover crops for organic weed control and soil building is an interesting emerging strategy. I have videos about buckwheat in corn, mustard and phacelia in soybeans, buckwheat and oats in sunflowers

[@larrysiders1]

I've noticed that 8 Specie Forage Crops....show NO competition between plants except from sun shading. All the various plants are vibrantly healthy. In fact....where smallish unintential "mono crop" areas occur...the "mono" plants do less well than the mixed plants do. Perhaps using only 2 "companions" is too few

[@jontaylor1365]

I agree. But it's also a question of management. It is however possible to have two main crops plus a smaller amount of other companions or low growing perennials that flower later (i.e. Plantain works well on my clay soil). Even a small number of some plants have been shown to have a synergistic effect. I definitely aim for Christine Jones AT LEAST 4 family groups. See "no kill cash crops".

[@bearbiologics7710]

Chickpea and flax combo aiding in disease ‘incidence’. Could this be due to improved silica access and hence levels in the chickpeas as flax being effective at silica accumulation. Better cellular structure integrity