One of the most exciting events hosted by COG are the annual Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) Field Days that take place across the Prairies every summer. Nestled in between visits to participating ROO farms, these field days bring together program staff, partners from up and down the supply chain, ROO participants, and other regenerative organic-curious farmers all keen to find out what’s going on at local farms and in local soils.
In July 2025, the two-day ROO field day event was full of regenerative organic celebration, conversation, and innovation. Our team was joined by families, friends, colleagues, and partners from all across the Prairies as well as a few special guests from across Canada and the USA who all came together to share their unique perspectives and revel in the joys of regenerative organic farming.
Our first hosts, MGM Seed and Grain/Bay State Milling, welcomed our group for a tour of their oat processing facility on July 23rd. Here, we had the opportunity to learn firsthand how the oats that are grown at the ROO participants’ farms are processed for use in food products. It was amazing to experience the tour with folks from all up and down the supply chain; farmers, manufacturers, and consumers of regenerative organic food were able to learn from unique worlds and discover their niche in organic advocacy.
On July 24th, we were hosted by David at Katerynych Family Farm who led us through his fields of oats and cover crops, sharing his expertise as a ROO alumnus. Farmers from all backgrounds, organic and conventional, were in attendance and eager to learn about the ROO program and the principles of regenerative agriculture. Stepping into the fields is where you really get a grasp on a farmer’s challenges and triumphs, and Dorthea Gregoire, COG’s Director of Education, Extension and Outreach, stated:
I love that our field days are a real world showing of what’s going on on the landscape and not a hand-picked selection of manicured fields. It creates a safe space for all of us, as none of us are perfect but we’re all moving forward together to become better.
We are elated to see the development of unique bonds that persist beyond field days and enhance communities of practice long after the growing season is over. Big thanks to David for being an amazing host!
We are so grateful to Riverside Natural Foods, Nature’s Path, and MGM Seed and Grain/Bay State Milling for all of their incredible support of the ROO program in general and to these field days as well. With their generous contributions, COG can continue expanding this necessary program to farmers across the Prairies who are interested in transitioning their operation to regenerative organic management. Every ROO participant is taking on vital practices that promote soil health and rebuild the soil microbiome, and we would like to thank all of our partners for generously helping to make it happen.
Want to learn more about how COG supports Prairie organic oat growers in applying regenerative organic principles on their farm? Check out our Regenerative Organic Oats program.
See you all again in 2026!
About ROO
Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) is a farmer-forward program designed to support Prairie-based growers who are interested in transitioning to regenerative organic farm management. The program is funded by Nature’s Path, Riverside Naturals Foods (producers of the snack brand MadeGood), and MGM Seed and Grain/Bay State Milling in a supply chain collaboration that supports and bolsters the growth of the Canadian regenerative organic oats supply by focusing on soil health in the agricultural landscape.