Have you ever looked out across a field and wondered what the little red tents or small blue plastic huts are? COG’s Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) team got the opportunity to get up close and personal with them on our tour of Get Growing Organic Farm in Medicine Hat, AB. As our host Andy Wagman shared, these small tents are home to leafcutter bees that are crucial to the pollination of several crops most notably alfalfa and in this case buckwheat.
Contrary to popular belief, buckwheat is not a cereal/grass but rather a broadleaf plant with a bit of a vining nature, full heart shaped leaves and beautiful white flowers. The seeds from buckwheat are often ground to make a flour or used as groats (whole seeds) as an alternative for rice in dishes such as cabbage rolls. The groats have a unique pyramid shape and a delicious flavour making them a great addition to your evening meals!
Thank you to Get Growing Organic Farm for welcoming the ROO team!
Want to learn more about how COG supports Prairie organic oat growers in adopting regen organic practices? Check out our Regenerative Organic Oats program.
Author: Dorthea Gregoire
ROO Program Manager
Regenerative Organic Oats
Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) is a three-year pilot project funded by Nature’s Path, Riverside Naturals Foods producers of the snack brand MadeGood and MGM Seed and Grain that supports and bolsters the growth of the Canadian regenerative organic oats supply in the face of climate change. ROO supports Prairie organic oat growers in adopting regenerative practices and transitioning to regenerative organic management.