In the summer of 2024, the Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program was in full swing across the fields of participating Prairie farmers. Program coordinators conducted various field monitoring techniques and collected soil samples for laboratory analysis. This hands-on experience offered invaluable insights into the soils these farmers are regenerating, highlighting their efforts to optimize crop yields, store more water in the soil, and increase soil biology.
It was early July when Program Coordinator Julia made her way to Medicine Hat, Alberta for a visit with Andy at Get Growing Organics Farm. Andy has been farming his whole life and has been an organic farmer since the late 90’s. When Julia arrived at Get Growing Organics Farm, she was awe-struck by the “soup bowl”-shaped landscape that the farm was situated on. Massive walls of Earth surrounded the buzzing fields of buckwheat and sainfoin, and the South Saskatchewan River twirled around the edges of the property. The scenery was nothing short of spectacular.
Once she arrived at the farm, Andy welcomed her to the fields and the two of them performed monitoring techniques on the soil and the crops. Andy grows a beautiful diversity of crops on his farm, including sainfoin, cicer milkvetch, peas, flax, millet, and plenty more. The two of them looked at the unique buckwheat crops he was growing, and Andy’s abundance of knowledge shined through in every conversation they shared. Buckwheat is a highly tolerant crop that provides awesome weed suppression and helps to attract pollinators with its scent and colour. It goes to seed rapidly and its composition breaks down to provide excellent ground cover and nutrients for the soil. Buckwheat is an MVP in the field!
After a hot day of collecting soil and foliage samples, Andy and Julia ripped under the pivot for a refreshing blast of cool water. Andy was a fantastic host who cares so much about the land he works, and his eagerness to experiment and learn is one of the ways he is an amazing role model in the regenerative organic sector.
Thank you so much for a lovely visit, and see you next time!
To learn more about the ROO program, visit our Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) page on our website.