Cory Gerrard
Rod Swenson Farms
Healthy Soil and Healthy Crops at Rod Swenson Farms
Rod Swenson Farms, a fourth-generation family farm, has been growing a variety of crops for decades, including potatoes, turnips, sweet corn, processing peas, and cereal crops. Starting its operations in Delta, the farm has now expanded to Abbotsford, and Kamloops. As a part of BCFresh, a local, grower-owned supplier of fresh produce, Rod Swenson Farms helps provide BC with farm-fresh, locally grown vegetables year-round.
An important focus for Rod Swenson Farms is protecting farm soil, with cover cropping playing a large role in their soil health practices. As long-time participants in the DFWT Cover Crop program, Cory says that cover crops are vital for the farms’ heavy clay soils, particularly on Westham Island. “It’s a huge benefit to try to put organic matter back into the soil,” Cory explains. “Especially in potatoes, it takes a lot out, so putting as much organic matter back into the soil is probably our biggest net benefit from the cover crop program.”
One of the primary reasons Rod Swenson Farms uses cover crops is to improve soil structure and prevent erosion. “Having something on the surface during the winter is critical, I think it mitigates runoff and helps with compaction,” says Cory. Cover crops act as a protective barrier for the soil, reducing the risk of erosion and ensuring that the soil structure remains intact throughout the winter. In addition to their effectiveness in heavy clay soils, other regions with different soil structures benefit from the use of cover crops as well. The sandy soil in Abbotsford, for instance, allows Rod Swenson Farms to get their cover crops in earlier. "Getting some organic matter back in there is pretty critical,” Cory adds.
In addition to the soil benefits, cover crops provide food for migratory waterfowl during the winter months. The Fraser River Estuary is a part of the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south route for migratory birds that extends from Alaska to Patagonia. Every year, millions of migratory birds pass through this area, many stopping to refuel and rest during their long journeys. Rod Swenson Farms is located right in the heart of this migratory route, making it an important location for providing food for these birds during their migration. As Cory explains, “We’re on a migratory flight pass, so having something for some of these migratory birds to eat over the winter is one of the big reasons I think the program initially began.”
Over time, Cory says he’s also noticed an increase in waterfowl presence in the Fraser Valley, making cover crops an even more important tool in protecting fields during the migration season. “Pressures from the waterfowl seems to be moving east. Like it used to be only Westham Island, and then it was the rest of Delta. Now it’s starting to push out there further. So I think [DFWT] being involved in the rest of the Fraser Valley, I think it’s a huge benefit” shares Cory. As more birds are drawn to the area, the potential for damage to crops grows making the cover crop program a valuable tool for mitigating that impact.
When cover cropping, the farm uses a multi species mix whenever possible, which includes a variety of plants such as barley, oats, and tillage radish. Cory finds that the benefit of using a multispecies mix is the adaptability. "Different species do better in different conditions, and you never know what conditions any of our crops might face,” explains Cory. “So when you do that multi species, it seems like you know one will always do well. It always seems to produce better.”
Over the years, Rod Swenson Farms has also participated in other DFWT stewardship programs, such as Laser Levelling, Soil Amendments, as well as Grassland Set-Aside programs. When asked about the Grassland Set-aside program, Cory shares that “it's something we might get back into just because of the soils, and that's probably the best way to get large amount of organic matter back and just resting it.” The Grassland Set-Aside program allows farmers to set aside portions of their land to rest and regenerate viral nutrients, while providing food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and small mammals.
For Rod Swenson Farms, the DFWT Cover Crop program allows them more freedom when selecting cover crops. "The beauty is that it allows us to try different things, different mixes, different species,” say Cory. The cost-share program alleviates some of the financial burden for farmers interested in participating in land stewardship. “It’s a big contribution in order for us to put the cover crop in the field. So it’s a huge help. I’d highly recommend it.”
How Can You Help?
Your donation will work towards conserving important farmland and wildlife resources contained in the Fraser River delta.