In the summer of 2025, the Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program was in full swing across the fields of participating Prairie farmers, from south-central Manitoba to northwestern Alberta. Our program coordinators visited ROO farms and farmers, working together to conduct various field monitoring techniques and collect 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.
Early in the morning one day in late July, ROO Program Coordinator Alia headed to Stenen, SK to visit Wayne at WWR Omelchuk Farms.
Wayne grew up on the farm and has been farming organically for about a decade. He’s dedicated to growing in a healthy way, free of harmful chemicals, for the sake of his children. He chatted with Alia about how being an organic farmer feels like an art in the sense that you almost have to think to the future, implementing practices now that will improve crops later. Some of the practices Wayne uses in this way are cover cropping and growing nitrogen fixing perennials.
As Alia and Wayne conducted soil testing at different sites on the farm, they found that his “best field” had low levels of soil compaction and great water infiltration. Low levels of compaction mean more available space for air, water and microbes in the soil. Meanwhile, great water infiltration means water is able to quickly penetrate the soil to support plant growth and the health of the soil ecosystem!
In contrast, Wayne’s “worst site” showed the opposite, with poor results when it came to both soil compaction and water infiltration. Showing his adaptable nature, Wayne was immediately brainstorming ways to tackle this, including ideas like planting alfalfa in the field and putting in a green manure rotation.
Wayne is in his first year with the ROO program, and he is eager to improve his soil fertility, increase organic matter, and reduce weed pressure on his farm. He’s also excited to connect with other producers. We’re not surprised to hear it – engaging with other farmers who have similar values and face similar challenges is something so many participants find valuable, and we’re thrilled to help build this impactful community of practice!
To learn more about the ROO program, visit our Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) page on our website.