In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with “Young Cole,” a 21-year-old Alberta farm kid who took his grit overseas to learn regenerative farming in Finland. We jam on real-world soil health, cover crops, EU pesticide rules (yes, glyphosate is used, but differently), and what small, mixed farms can borrow from Europe without swallowing the red tape. Cole breaks down nitrogen-fixing legumes, why Finland’s tiny, rocky fields shape their practices, and how government subsidies change farmer behavior—for better and worse. We also talk about food sovereignty, farm-to-table realities, and how a few chickens and a plan can change a family’s future. It’s practical, hopeful, and a little mouthy—just how we like it.

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Episode Highlights: young farmer grit, regenerative farming, cover crops, soil microbiome, nitrogen fixation, EU pesticide rules, government subsidies, small-scale profitability, mixed farming, farm-to-table, food sovereignty, Alberta vs Finland

Takeaways: 

• Regenerative ≠ organic; it’s a long-game soil strategy
• Legumes fix nitrogen via root nodules to feed future crops
• EU allows glyphosate but not as a pre-harvest desiccant for human grain
• Subsidies shape behavior; control the money, control the farm
• Small fields, wet climate, and rocks drive Finnish methods
• Mixed farms can stack value by grazing and hay in rotation
• Start tiny (five chickens) and build consistent, direct relationships
  
  

 

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Links & Resources Mentioned

 

Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

 

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Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started!

Book Your FREE Call Today! 

 

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