Congratulations, ROO Graduates!
The COG team is thrilled to share the fantastic news that six ROO program participants have successfully completed their three-year commitment to our Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program and are becoming alumni of the program.
Over the last three years, the ROO program has supported these incredible farmers on their journeys to build and sustain their regenerative farming systems, trial new concepts, track their triumphs with on-farm data, embrace successes, and adapt to inevitable bumps in the road. Although they have graduated from the program, their journeys are far from complete and we look forward to our ongoing connection with them as members and leaders of the regenerative organic community of practice across the Prairies.
Each graduate contributes an abundance of knowledge and profound understanding of regenerative principles to the community. They not only have the spirit to drive positive change forward, but also the know-how to share with others about how to get the job done. We cannot wait to see these farmers shine on and pave the way for regenerative organic farming in Canada and beyond.
Without further ado, here are our most recent ROO Graduates.
John B.
It is not for everyone. You need to be able to handle a not perfect field. If you are not making mistakes you are not learning.
On John’s diverse family farm in Rolling Hills, AB many things are flourishing – including hemp, oats, alfalfa and regenerative organic practices that boost biodiversity across the farm and build up deteriorated soil health. Thanks to his dedication to making regenerative organic work in his context, John achieved Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) in 2023! As the host of one of our ROO Field Days in 2024, John’s farm has also played an important part in the continued development of the regenerative organic community of practice in Alberta and across the Prairies!
Larry M. from Marshall Farms
The realized benefits of reduced tillage and the understanding of soil life has been of the greatest benefit to me.
In Shellbrook, SK, Larry is a seasoned farmer who has had organic certification since 2005! Larry achieved ROC certification in 2024 and during his regenerative organic journey has implemented many strong practices, including the use of green manure, the incorporation of mycorrhizal seed treatment, and finding ways to feed the life in the soil. He has also been willing to share his lessons learned along the way – even welcoming us during our September 2023 ROO Field Day to check out his side by side trials that are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of newly available products.
Leonard M.
Come and see the results. It’s a question of whether a person is willing to change or not.
As a first generation organic farmer in Elfros, SK, Leonard is dedicated to discovering better ways to decrease soil compaction, promote soil health, and build a resilient farm. While he cultivates crops like wheat, oats, peas and mustard, he’s also embracing regenerative organic practices like incorporating cover crops, companion planting, and keeping a living root in the ground as long as possible.
Nathan K. from RCK Farms
Shellbrook is a blossoming hub for regenerative organic producers, and this is where Nathan calls home. Surrounded by his peers, Nathan and his family have journeyed through the twists and turns of organic farming and have accomplished amazing regenerative feats through unique cover cropping methods, minimized tillage practices, and underseeding strategies. Nathan has a knack for learning and continues to adapt his management to boost his soil’s health.
Randy G. from Gubersky Gluten Free Organics
Information and tools are so critical to start new processes both practical and in thought.
With organic certification since 1996, Randy’s farm in Saint Michaels, AB is an inspiring spot! Randy and his family have been major players in the gluten-free grains industry since 1896, when his ancestor Pavlo Gubersky settled on the land after emigrating from Ukraine. Randy carries on the legacy of his family’s farm every day, achieving his ROC certification in 2021/2022 and implementing many exciting regenerative organic practices including green manure, no-till solutions, rotating cultivation practices, and incorporating worm castings.
Terry H.
In Canora, SK Terry is growing a variety of crops – like barley, triticale, oats and rye – as a first generation organic farmer. Terry and Leonard joined the ROO program in the same year and built an incredible team together to learn more about the regenerative and organic ways to enhance their soil’s health. His eagerness to understand monitoring techniques and meaningfully apply regenerative principles, including crop rotation and cover cropping, is inspiring!
Welcoming In the Newest ROO Participants
When one door shuts, another door opens. As the ROO program is seeing our recent ROO Graduates off, it is also welcoming in a brand new cohort of farm participants to the group. These farms are starting their five-year journey with ROO this year, and we can only imagine the many adventures, wild journeys, and amazing learning opportunities lie ahead for them. Please join us in welcoming the following farmers to the ROO program:
- Dwight M. from Promus Agro Ltd
- Garret and Kris S. from Springer Family Farm
- Helena and Ken L.
- Jason and Jolene J. and Evelin T. from Pleasant Valley Ranch Corp.
- Jim J. and Tom T.
- Larry, Philip, and Jodi C.
- Roland K.
- Wayne F. from Foubert Farms Ltd.
Congrats and Welcome!
A very big congratulations to our most recent ROO graduates, and a very big welcome to the newest cohort. The Regenerative Organic Oats program and regenerative organic movement are lucky to have your knowledge, motivation and dedication in our community of practice!
To learn more about the Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program, visit our ROO webpage or contact Julia Kulczynska at julia.kulczynska@cog.ca or 226-791-1303.