On July 29th, COG’s Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program came out in force in Rolling Hills, AB where we spent the day with the Butkiewicz family, friends and neighbours as we toured local farms, shared regenerative organic ideas and wondered at the innovation and beauty all around us. Producers from all walks of life, organic, regenerative and conventional were invited to join us as we explored farming systems focused on improving soil health, expanding diversity and making a profit!
Nothing gets a crowd of farmers more excited than being out in a field and hearing about the innovations happening on farm. Taking time to meet new people and listen to new ideas is a core component of COG’s Regenerative Organic Oats program. Diversity is everything in regenerative organic agriculture.
During our field day we learned how grazing this 15 species full season forage cover crop (pictured above), will not only provide a great food source for cattle but will also jumpstart the accumulation of organic matter in the soil and improve soil health by reestablishing the microbial populations that are the foundation of the soil food web. PLANTS GROW SOIL!
Part of our field day included a tour of some beautiful hemp fields. There’s nothing like walking through a hemp field that towers over your. The beauty of this picture was dwarfed by the smells and sounds of a field alive with thousands upon thousands of pollinators at work in the crop and beneficial predators busy snatching up pests. The peak summer buzz brings a voice to a field few have the privilege of listening to.
Our group was keen to talk compost – there’s nothing in the world quite so exciting as compost and worms. This Johnson-Su reactor is one of a series in an on-farm initiative looking for a sustainable way to bring nutrition, health and life to crops across the farm.
Thank you to the folks in Rolling Hills, AB for welcoming us for a spectacular Field Day!
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.