ALUS Growing Roots Program with Joey Pankiw (SRRWD)

Joey Pankiw grew up on a family farm in the Red River Valley. Joey is a graduate from the University of Winnipeg with a B.A. in Geography, and obtained a MSc. in Geography from the University of Regina. He started working with the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District in 2019 as a Watershed Assistant and also held the ALUS/Grow Coordinator position before becoming District Manager in 2022.

In today’s episode, Joey gives us an overview of what the ALUS Growing Roots program is and what the goals of this program are.  He describes the thought process behind the moto “Farm the best, leave the rest” in relation to the Cultivated Cropland aspect of the project, which aims to improve water quality by reducing nutrient run off, reduce soil erosion, provide carbon sequestration and provide wildlife and pollinator habitat.  Joey also discusses the changes they are seeing in areas where this program has been implemented and what impacts this has to the environment.

Along with the Cultivated Cropland aspect of the program, Joey shares information about the Class 4 and Class 5 Forage/Grazing Land programs, including the annual payment, contract length and amount SRRWD pays towards the establishment cost of these forages.

He wraps up with some information on other programs that are available in this watershed district, including the Preservation Project and The Pasture Riparian Fencing Project.

For more information about the programs available in your watershed, contact your local watershed district today.

To contact Joey 

Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District Website: www.srrwd.ca

Email: info@srrwd.ca

Office Phone Number: 204-326-1030

Instagram: @seine_rat_roseau_watershed

Facebook: Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District

X: @SeineRatRoseau

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

Instagram: @MBBeefandForage

Facebook: @MBBeefandForage

X (Twitter): @MBBeefandForage

Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011