SPRING 2024 | VOLUME 16 ISSUE 01

WE’RE LAUNCHING AN EXCITING NEW

PROGRAM IN THE PEACE REGION... PAGE 3

CREATIVE FUNDING SOLUTIONS

FOR FARMS... PAGE 4

CANADA’S AGRICULTURAL BREAD BASKET IS

GETTING HOTTER AND DRIER... PAGE 8

ORGANICS IN ALBERTA... PAGE 10

REVISING THE ORGANIC STANDARDS IN THE

CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE... PAGE 12
 SPRING 2024
MISSION: To represent and support
Alberta's entire organic industry.
VISION: A strong, sustainable and
united organic community in Alberta.
EDITOR/SUBMISSIONS
Cari Cowley
780-932-2534
cari.cowley@organicalberta.org
ADVERTISING
Cari Cowley
780-932-2534
cari.cowley@organicalberta.org
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Cari Cowley
780-932-2534
cari.cowley@organicalberta.org
BOARD MEMBERS
Representatives elected by region:
(N) North, (S) South, (C) Central,
(M) Member at Large,
(CR) Consumer Rep
President: Becky Doherty (M)
403-332-3898
info@stonepostfarms.ca
Vice-President: Daniel Wall (N)
780-926-7609
Secretary: Pierre Fillion (N)
780-837-0679
pjfillion@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Greg Wedman (C)
780-232-2309
gwedman11@gmail.com
Andy Wagman (S)
403-866-4220
andywagman@gmail.com
Dylan Joshua Edmiston (CR)
403-554-6951
dylanjoshuaedmiston@gmail.com
Megan Neudorf (M)
780-841-9438
mustangneudorf@gmail.com
Agnes Kulinski (C)
780-430-0319
hello@pierogerie.ca
Andrew Mans
403-360-5663
ahmans@gmail.com
Alex Villeneuve
780-994-7112
alex@ceres-ab.com
Summer 2024 deadline is June 7th.
Please send comments, suggestions,
ads, and/or articles to
cari.cowley@organicalberta.org.
2 WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
By Iris Vaisman, Executive Director,
Organic Alberta
As you are aware, this marks the end
of my time as Executive Director
with Organic Alberta. Though a
challenging decision, my departure
stems from a passion and
admiration for the organic
community. The people who make
up the community are incredibly
kind, committed, and hard working.
Over the past eight years, my
journey with Organic Alberta has
allowed me to nurture my profound
passion for plants, soil, seeds,
biodiversity, and food. Working
alongside an exceptional team,
whose dedication and enthusiasm
for organics are unparalleled, has
been a privilege. Moreover,
collaborating with both current and
former board members has been an
enriching experience.
As I step aside, I am confident in the
capable hands that will guide
Organic Alberta forward. Our staff
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
has diligently worked to ensure
the success of current and
upcoming initiatives.
During our recent AGM, we
celebrated our achievements in
2023 and outlined our aspirations
for 2024. We extend a warm
welcome to our new board
members, Megan Neudorf and
Alex Villeneuve. Megan brings 14
years of organic farming
experience, managing a family
flour mill that produces organic
flour. Alex's journey includes
transforming Ceres Farm into the
largest certified organic specialty
mushroom farm in the Canadian
prairies, with a commitment to
providing high-quality, affordable
organic food. A heartfelt thank
you goes to Tracey Smith, our
outgoing Board President, for her
six years of service.
I eagerly anticipate the future of
Organic Alberta, knowing it will
continue to flourish. To all readers,
I urge you to engage more deeply
with our organization. Whether
through attending field days,
participating in conferences, or
considering board membership,
you'll discover a supportive
community brimming with
valuable knowledge and
camaraderie.
Wishing everyone a fruitful
growing season ahead! For
inquiries or concerns, please don't
hesitate to reach out to the
Organic Alberta team at
info@organicalberta.org.
SPRING 2024
WE’RE LAUNCHING AN EXCITING NEW PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
HOLISTIC SUPPORT TO ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE PEACE REGION
Commencing January, 2024 and
running until December 2025, the
Peace Region Organic Success
Program (PROSPr) will provide holistic
support to organic farmers in the
Peace region of Alberta. PROSPr has
been made possible through a
partnership with Clif Bar, who will
contribute $298,000 USD to the
program over its two-year duration. The
program will be run by Organic Alberta,
a non-profit association that
represents, supports, and grows
organics in Alberta through leadership,
networking, education,
communication, and advocacy.
The Peace Region of Alberta plays a key
role in organic oat production,
distinguished by the superior quality
and volume of oats grown in Canada,
and distributed both locally and
globally. PROSPr will work with
regional partners, industry, and
counties to build a resilient agricultural
sector and provide support to continue
growth in the region.
“The Peace Region Organic Success
Program (PROSPr) recognizes the
valuable contribution of the Peace
Region to domestic and international
organic markets. Working side by side
with farmers, industry, and regional
stakeholders, PROSPr will help build
the resilience that is needed for
ongoing success and future growth of
organics in Alberta”, says Iris Vaisman,
Executive Director at Organic Alberta.
The program will utilize the key
principles of regionally adapted
solutions to create resources tailored
to local growing conditions, markets,
and communities; a holistic approach
to provide farmers with the right tools
in agronomy, marketing, and
community well-being; and
collaborative work among
stakeholders to ensure local
commitment, and long-term
resilience. An additional component of
the program will be the hiring of an
organic agronomist, a unique
opportunity to provide farmers with
tailored and specialized on-farm
support.
"The Peace Region's important
contribution to agriculture is often
understated. I'm very excited to see a
well-known brand like Clif Bar
recognize and support our capability
to produce some of the world's best
quality organic oats. Farmers and
industry can all gain from this
collaboration” says Pierre Fillion, an
organic producer in the Peace Region.
The Peace Region Organic Success
Program builds off the success and
relationships formed through Organic
WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
Alberta’s Mackenzie County Organic
Success Programs (2018-2022), which
worked to support agricultural and agri-
food entrepreneurs in the region to
diversify into organic production and
build practical agronomic and market
information to diversify production.
A key supporter and regional partner of
Organic Alberta, The Mackenzie Applied
Research Association (MARA) will
continue to work closely with the
organization and expand support and
capacity for farmers in the Peace Region.
“PROSPr aims to bring prosperity and
resilience in the organic farming
systems in the Peace region and will
help in enhancing the efficiency of
organic systems along with marketing
strategies while considering
environmental sustainability. It will help
strengthen the ground further, for
collaboration of diverse groups of
stakeholders including public, private
and producers for the continuing
success of Organic farming in the
region” says Naveen Arora, Research
Manager at MARA.
Scheduled to conclude at the end of
December 2025, the program aims to
strengthen Alberta’s organic sector,
recognizing the vital role of organic
farmers in the region’s agricultural
landscape.
3
 SPRING 2024
CREATIVE FUNDING SOLUTIONS FOR FARMS
Written by Tori Ames, Young Agrarians
So you’ve decided to take on a new farm
projector add an enterprise - great! Now,
how will you afford it?
If you don’t own land you can use as
collateral, loans might be inaccessible.
So what other options exist to fund a
new project?
Ultimately, there are two ways to finance
new farm projects: bring in money from
outside sources or decrease expenses of
existing farm projects to free up liquid
capital to spend on new projects. In this
article, we’ll explore creative options for
funding your project using outside
sources.
*Please note that the following
information is provided to give
perspective and inspiration for funding
avenues, and that when considering
how these options could be applied to
your individual situation, nothing beats
the advice of a trained professional.
Consult an accountant in your area and
access a lawyer for advice before
entering into any legal agreements.
Getting Organized
Many new farmers will need to borrow
money to make their farm dreams a
reality. Remember, lending money can
be risky. It’s your job to show potential
lenders that you have a sound plan to
pay them back.
4 WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG
The first step is to get your financial
statements in order. Most financial
bodies, investors and even friends will
need to know you can repay what you
borrow, so they’ll need to see your plan.
Your plan is expressed in the following
documents:
Business Plan
Balance Sheet
Income Statement
Cash Flow Projection
For help developing these documents,
check out the Young Agrarians’ Farm
Business Tools:
www.youngagrarians.org/tools/business
/#farm-business-tools
Sources of Funding
Friends, Family and Neighbours
Asking for money can feel
uncomfortable. However, a good plan
can boost your confidence! You might
be surprised by how willing loved ones
are to provide financial assistance,
especially if you have a clear business
plan with financials that demonstrate
exactly how you will pay them back.
Financial assistance from those close to
you can take the form of no- or low-
interest loans, gifts, donations, or an
investment where lenders receive a
stake in the business. What’s more, they
may be able to accept a more flexible
repayment schedule, as long as
everyone agrees. The option to defer
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
repayment until revenue starts to trickle
in can give you a whole lot of breathing
room, as long as you can ensure that the
money you expect to come in after
harvest is enough to cover the loan
payment.
Write it Down and Sign it
A handshake deal made in good faith can
ruin a relationship if things don’t go to
plan. Putting the terms of the deal down
on paper aligns everyone’s expectations.
Clearly outline the exact amount
borrowed, the interest rate expected (if
any), the rate of repayment (how much
you’ll pay per month), the total term of
the contract, and consequences for
defaulting. Formalizing the agreement is
a good thing! It protects you and the ones
you love. For large sums, have a lawyer
draft the contract - keeping a good
relationship will be worth the fees
associated with consulting a professional.
Be a Good Borrower
Money can complicate relationships, so
make sure to be a model borrower,
especially to family, friends, and
neighbours. Prioritize timely repayment
of any money borrowed from loved ones
to keep your relationship in good
standing.
Non-Monetary Exchanges
Help doesn’t necessarily always need to
take the form of money - neighbours can
help by lending machinery, offering
employment, or by providing advice. Are
there ways you could decrease the overall
cost of the new project by borrowing,
SPRING 2024
buying used, or reusing “waste” materials
from neighbours? Communicate clearly to
determine how reliably you can use these
assets and what kind of back-up plan you
need.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding raises funds through
donations collected via an online platform.
It can be a great way to engage your
customer base and promote your business.
Crowdfunding campaigns can be
structured in many different ways. A
common format is the tiered rewards
system. In this system, donation amounts
are suggested with future “perks'' offered
as incentives. These perks are distributed
after the funding cycle is finished and the
funds are used for their intended purpose.
It’s important to be realistic about your
funding goals. Some crowdfunding
platforms force you to return all the
money raised if your target isn’t met. The
same goes for perks. Be sure you can
deliver. Be clear about what you’re
offering and why they should invest in
your project.
Three commonly-used crowdfunding
platforms are Kickstarter, GoFundMe,and
IndieGoGo.
Communication, Communication,
Communication
The keys to a successful crowdfunding
campaign are storytelling and promotion.
If you love to share your farm vision and
have a knack for marketing, crowdfunding
can be an enjoyable experience. However,
if you struggle with marketing and
promoting, consider enlisting the help of a
friend who has strengths in these areas.
Share your crowdfunding page with as
many people as you possibly can.
After the funding period is over, keep the
channels of communication open. Thank
your donors and keep them updated on
the progress of the project. Give them a
realistic timeline in which to expect their
perks and stick to it. Let them know where
they can find your product, and how they
can continue to support your business.
These folks could turn into your most
enthusiastic supporters and customers!
Grants
There are lots of grants out there for
farmers in Canada. However, they are
often project specific. For an in-depth look
at How to Apply for Farm Grants in
Canada, head over to Young Agrarians’
blog post all about it!
It takes work to find grants that fit your
farm’s needs. Be ready to get creative! For
example, a grant that provides funding to
fence off wetland areas on your farm for
conservation purposes may
simultaneously improve your grazing
infrastructure, and therefore help fund
your farm project. Keep in mind that many
conservation-based grants require you to
have an Environmental Farm Plan, or to be
in the process of developing one. Some
local associations and organizations may
be able to help you through the process.
Get ready to do some recordkeeping, as
many grants require you to report on what
you did with the money. Also, remember
that grants won’t necessarily give you
100% of the funding needed to complete
the project. Every grant is different, so
know that you may need to prove that you
can complete the project with or without
the grant in order to qualify.
Head over to the Canada Business
Network website to look for grants that
might fit your operation.
Government-Backed Loans
Government-Backed Loans are generally
provided by the federal government and
administered through lending institutions.
They were created to increase farmers’
eligibility for agricultural loans through
traditional lenders, often at much lower
interest rates than other types of loans.
When considering taking out a loan,
consider what the payback term will be, as
well as the monthly repayment amount
including interest. Can you afford that
amount even in the lean months? This is
where you’ll need to look at your cash flow
projections to see if you can reliably cover
these costs.
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VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
Know that most agricultural lenders will
have a “norm” they are looking for. This
can be a challenge. A good plan can help.
Ask your lenders if they facilitate the
following government loans.
Government Loans
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA):
Guarantees repayment of 95% of a net loss
on an eligible loan. Start-ups, part-time
farmers, existing farmers, and agricultural
cooperatives all qualify.
Advance Payments Program (APP): A
program run through the federal
government that provides cash
advancements to agricultural producers
across Canada. Interest rates on the first
$100,000 are 0%, the rest at prime.
Repayment only required when the crop is
marketed, with an ultimate deadline to
repay on December 30th.
Credit Cards and Line of Credit
Credit accounts provide easy access to
funds, but their high interest rates mean
that you will pay much more in the long
run. Credit cards can be a great way to
cash flow operating expenses, but be
careful as their interest rates can range
between 20-30%. Lines of credit often have
lower interest rates than credit cards, and
offer flexibility by allowing you to borrow
money as you need it. Be careful not to
borrow more than you can reasonably
repay, because the longer you carry the
debt, the harder it is to pay off.
Managing Debt
When prioritizing repayment of different
types of debt (e.g. credit cards, loans), aim
to pay the debt with the highest interest
rate first. This will save you money by
quickly paying the debt that is costing you
the most in interest.
If you have debt in multiple places
including a credit card, you can
consolidate your debt into an account with
lower interest rates. This means that you
can move your expensive credit card debt
into a line of credit or a loan to decrease
the overall interest rate, sometimes quite
substantially.
Closing Thoughts
The biggest barrier to finding funding for
your farm project is giving into
discouragement from rejected
applications. Be ready to hear lots of “nos”
before getting a “yes”. Keep trying, keep
applying, and be ready to use several of
the above sources in conjunction to fund
your project.
5
 SPRING 2024 VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01

6 WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG
SPRING 2024 VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01

WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG 7
 SPRING 2024 VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01

Emmanuel Mapfumo (left) and Dick Puurveen (right) are co-authors of a research review
showing that the Prairie provinces have become hotter and drier over the last 120 years.

CANADA’S AGRICULTURAL BREAD BASKET IS

GETTING HOTTER AND DRIER, STUDY SHOWS

Republished with permission from the
University of Alberta. Written by Bev
Betkowski.
Canada’s most important crop-
producing areas — the Prairie
provinces — have become hotter and
drier over the last 120 years, University
of Alberta research shows.
A review of various scientific literature
looked at the effects of climate
change on the cropland of Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba from 1901
to 2021, showing a consistent trend of
higher air temperatures in winter and
spring, less snowfall and more
disruptive weather, such as frequent
and intense rainfalls.
The review is among the first to
explore the impact of climate change
on cropland specifically in the Prairie
provinces, and may ultimately help
farmers adapt to their local
conditions, says Emmanuel Mapfumo,
adjunct professor in the Faculty of
Agricultural, Life & Environmental
Sciences, who led the study, co-
authored with U of A researchers
David Chanasyk and Dick Puurveen.
“Our report highlights the state of
knowledge about the Prairies and
where we can go from here,” says
Mapfumo, who is also an associate
professor at Concordia University of
Edmonton. “There’s so much regional
variability, it’s important to have data
particular to an area to create
adaptation strategies that will help
protect crops.”
As Canada’s largest and most
productive agricultural region, the
Prairie provinces, along with parts of
Ontario and Quebec, are essential to
Canada’s economy, Mapfumo adds. In
2022, crop production accounted for
$30.6 billion of Canada’s gross
domestic product and employed
118,300 workers.
“It’s vital to find ways to mitigate
local climate change, which affects
the ability to grow various crops and
hence affects crop yields, and has
ripple effects such as higher food
costs.”
The review looked at historical
changes since 1900 to air
temperature, precipitation, drought
and crop yield, based on articles
published in scientific studies and
websites, books and government
documents.
Several of the source materials
reported increases of up to 6 C in
average, minimum and maximum
daily air temperatures over time in
the Prairie regions.
Particularly concerning was a
consistent finding across the data
that minimum air temperature, or the
lowest temperature recorded during
the day, increased anywhere from 1 C
to 4.5 C.
“That is a significant finding because
it means winters are getting less
cold,” Mapfumo says. “That can result
in mid-season snowmelt, lower snow
levels and less moisture in the early
spring, which is important for
sustaining early-stage crop growth.”

8 WWW.ORGANICALBERTA.ORG
SPRING 2024
Combined with maximum air
temperatures, which also increased,
the warmer growing environment
makes conditions ripe for higher
evaporation rates of moisture from the
soil, he adds.
“It means more rain would likely be
needed to get enough moisture to
keep crops healthy and growing.”
Growing degree days and corn heat
units — measures of heat
accumulation related to crop maturity
— also rose over time, the researchers
found.
While those warmer temperatures
could allow for northward expansion of
crops such as corn, that could be
outweighed by drier conditions, an
increased likelihood of disease and
earlier emergence of pests in other
crops such as the wheat midge,
Mapfumo says.
“Crop producers could have a longer
period of time where they are
struggling with these issues.”
The review also revealed a trend
toward drier conditions across Canada,
including the Prairies. Since 1950,
levels of yearly snowfall and snow
cover duration in Canada have
decreased, and the number of frost-
free days has risen since 1900. Levels of
off-season precipitation between
October and April — which is crucial to
keeping soil moist for the growing
season — also declined.
“Combined with an overall increase in
average temperatures, these factors
can make crop production much more
challenging and could reduce crop
yields,” Mapfumo notes.
The review confirms, on a larger scale,
the findings of a 2022 study of data
dating back to 1901 from the U of A’s
Breton Plots, which had similar
findings of climate change on a local
level.
Collectively, the findings are the first
steps to creating strategies, such as
changing or rotating crops, for
agricultural industries and farmers to
adapt to these drier conditions on a
regional level, says Mapfumo.
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VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
“We know climate change impacts
different regions and communities in
different ways, so having more local
knowledge will allow for an adaptation
strategy that is ideal for each area or
region.”
The research also supports Canada’s
National Adaptation Strategy, geared
to creating safe and secure
communities in the face of climate
change, he adds.
“To do that requires knowledge of
climate change impacts at local and
regional levels.”
The review is a “good starting point”
to future Prairie-specific crop
research, he adds.
”The more data we have, the easier it
becomes to develop policy and
adaptation strategies for different
parts of the Prairies. There’s a lot more
work that we can do.”
The study was funded by the Natural
Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada.
9
 SPRING 2024
By Zachary Day, Communication &
Membership Coordinator, Organic
Alberta
The data from this report includes
data from every certifying body that
operates within Alberta apart from
one certifier. This means the totals do
not reflect the total number of
producers in the region. Additional
data related to organic certification
cancellation was acquired from the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) and Statistics Canada.
Organic data is difficult to collect,
Organic Alberta and our partner
organizations are always working to
collect better data and improve our
understanding of it. This data is
important to helping the organic
sector develop, and your support goes
a long way in improving the data.
Organic Production by Region
Mackenzie county and the
northwest region still lead in
organic production in Alberta.
Despite a reduction in numbers,
discussed further below, across the
province all the regions continue to
have similar proportions to 2018
(the last year data was fully
collected).
The large number of organic
producers in the northwest and
Mackenzie County region is even
10
ORGANICS IN ALBERTA
more impressive when you compare
its population to the rest of Alberta.
The northwest and Mackenzie County
hold <5% of Alberta’s population,
while having around 50% of the
province’s organic producers. When
broken down by county, the north
has less of a hold on the top spots,
with the south holding a few of the
top spots.
COUNT OF
COUNTY CERTIFIED
PRODUCERS
Mackenzie County 266
County of
20
Northern Lights
Lethbridge
18
County
Calgary Region 15
County of Grand
13
Prairie No. 1
Organic Certification Cancellations
Organic cancellations can be used to
understand the general state of
organics within Alberta. Unlike
Organic Alberta’s information on
certified producers, this information
encompasses all producers. It is
important to remember cancellations
do not directly relate to a change in
the number of organic producers.
Producers can be recertified, and new
producers are always entering
certification.
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VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01
Despite there being 205
cancellations between 2020 and
2022, COTA reports the number of
organic operations in Alberta has
changed from 725 in 2020, to 655 in
2022, a decline of only 70 producers.
With the rapid growth in organic
production in Alberta over the past
decade, there has also been a rise in
the number of organic cancellations.
2023 is the first year to see a
meaningful decline in the number of
cancellations since its rise in the mid
2010s. This suggests the producer
market is starting to stabilize.
It is hard to say if in 2024 we will see
a continued decline of organic
farmers.
When looking at cancellations by
region for 2023, Mackenzie County’s
number may be the largest, but this
is to be expected due to their large
number of producers. All the regions
have amounts that match their
respective number of producers, and
no region has been overly
contributing to cancellations over
the past 4 years.
YEAR CANCELATIONS
2019 46
2020 54
2021 76
2022 75
2023 63
SPRING 2024 VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 01

What Grain Farmers are Growing TOTAL Organic Fruit & Vegetable
Numbers for crops are based on CROP TYPE Production
PRODUCERS
organic certification. Which means It is difficult to draw insight
Oats 327
they do not reflect what is grown on a regarding data from certifying
Legumes 162
year-to-year basis, but rather what bodies on vegetable farming
producers are growing throughout a Wheat 104 because the fruit and vegetables
multiyear period. Crop production is Barley 99 are often clumped into broad
interesting to look at as it tells us a groups.
Peas 73
general breakdown of what is
Alfalfa 70
produced within the province. This is a In conclusion, while the data
rough compilation of what is being Hay 43 provided in this report offers valuable
grown. It is important to remember Oats/Peas 20 insights into Alberta's organic
we don't know the end use of the farming landscape, it's crucial to
Alfalfa/Grass 14
crop, so some crops might be recognize its limitations, particularly
Flax 13
misrepresented on this list. the exclusion of one certifier which
may not fully represent all producers.
Cereal grains make up much of the Organic Livestock Production The complexity of organic farming
list, which is to be expected in Other than organic beef, livestock highlights the ongoing challenge of
Alberta as the main organic cash makes up a small portion of the data collection. Organic Alberta and
crops. overall organic producers within its partners are committed to
Legumes follow behind Alberta. improving data accuracy and
unsurprisingly, as they play a vital interpretation. Your feedback and
role in organic crop systems, TOTAL support are integral to this process.
LIVESTOCK
coupled with their popularity in the PRODUCERS Please contact Zach at
organic food market. Beef Cattle 20 zachary.day@organicalberta.org with
Oil seeds are the least represented Eggs 6 any insights or suggestions for
crop type on the list with flax being improvement. Together, we can
Dairy 4
the only oil seed crop in the top advance the organic farming industry
ten. Pigs 2 for a sustainable future.

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 SPRING 2024
REVISING THE ORGANIC STANDARDS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Republished with permission from the
Organic Federation of Canada.
Written by Janet Wallace.
Climate change and food production
are connected in many ways. Just look
at the news stories of 2023 and you’ll
learn about Canadian farms suffering
from drought, flooding, intense
storms, and erratic weather patterns.
These challenges aren’t new but as
the result of climate change, they’re
becoming more intense and more
common.
Farming is not just affected by climate
change – it can also contribute to the
problem. For example, greenhouse
gases (GHG) are produced in the use
of synthetic fertilizers. As stated by
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
“the application of nitrogen (N)
fertilizer in particular results in nitrous
oxide (N2O) emissions, a potent
greenhouse gas with a global
warming potential 265 to 298 times
that of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a
100-year period.”
The use of diesel and gas for farm
machinery and transport trucks also
add GHG to the atmosphere.
Ruminant livestock release methane, a
potent GHG. Fortunately, certain
farming practices, such as growing
perennials, can have a beneficial
12
effect -- through carbon
sequestration, GHG can be captured
from the air and held in the soil.
What responsibility, if any, should
organic farmers have in mitigating
climate change?
Organic farming is based on four
principles, including the Principle of
care, which states “Organic
agriculture should be managed in a
precautionary and responsible
manner to protect the health and
well-being of current and future
generations and the environment.” As
climate change is an ever-growing
threat to people all around the globe,
it can be argued that organic farmers
should take steps to reduce their
contribution to climate change.
How is climate change addressed in
organic standards?
In the Canadian Organic Standards,
the topics of climate change and
energy use are not specifically
addressed – the only link is the
Principle of care in the introduction
(0.2). The EU standards state that
organic production is based on “the
responsible use of energy and natural
resources” and organic operators
should minimize their use of non-
renewable resources” (6b).
Certain other organic standards
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clearly address the need for energy
efficiency. For example, the Bio Suisse
standard (Switzerland) has detailed
requirements for energy efficiency in
greenhouses. In addition, it states that
by 2030, “80% of the energy used for
heating (including dry heating) for
protected cultivation must come from
renewable energy sources.”
Sweden’s KRAV organic standard
requires that “all electricity you
purchase must come from renewable
sources” (3.7.3). Also, all large farms and
heated greenhouses of any scale must
conduct energy audits.
Germany’s Naturland organic standard
provides details on on-farm biogas
plants because “Generating energy by
fermenting biomass can be an
important component of future energy
supply within the context of renewable
energy as a whole, besides wind, water,
solar and geothermal energy and
combustion of organic materials like
wood.”
How can the Canadian Organic
Standard address climate change?
Consultant Jean Duval created
“Greenhouse gas reduction measures
and organic farming”, a comprehensive
guide for the Union des producteurs
agricoles (UPA) to illustrate how the
Canadian Organic Standards (COS) can
SPRING 2024
be amended to include both measures
to reduce greenhouse gases and
measures to adapt to climate change.
Jean states “Greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction measures affect agricultural
activities through the management of
carbon in its many forms. Agriculture
uses, captures, produces and releases
carbon compounds: use of fuels and
other inputs, soil reserves (residues
and decomposed organic matter),
emissions from animals, plants and
soils, harvests, and so on. The
measures to be taken to reduce GHG
emissions from agricultural activities
therefore encompass all these aspects,
and all stages of each type of
agricultural production.”
Distinguishing between organic
standards and good practices
“A guide to good practices and
standards to be respected are two
different things,” Jean writes. “Organic
standards are rarely very precise in the
means (practices) to be implemented
on a farm. They will generally indicate
an objective (e.g. keeping the soil
healthy), prohibit certain practices
and substances, but otherwise leave it
up to the farmer to choose the
practices to meet the objective. In
livestock and specialized production
(greenhouse, maple syrup, etc.), there
are a few more specific standards to
meet. Organic standards are by no
means production guides, however.”
For example, in livestock production,
Jean lists a variety of ways to improve
feed to help reduce methane
emissions from ruminants. These
measures include consulting
nutritional consultants, harvesting
high-quality forage, and storing
forage properly to improve
digestibility. Jean suggests that such
measures should be
recommendations rather than
prescriptive requirements.
In crop production, reducing tillage
and using diversified crop rotations
including fall cereals and perennial
forage crops can help reduce a farm’s
GHG load by reducing fossil fuel use
and capturing more carbon in the
soil. Also, when planning a crop
rotation, farmers can consider how to
best store carbon. It would be too
complicated to add specific
requirements for these, however Jean
lists specific targets that could be
added, such as keeping soil covered
year round and using cover crops.
The review of the Canadian Organic
Standards is underway with a revised
standard expected to be published in
late 2025. Several petitions either
specifically address climate change
and or indirectly address the issue by
recommending changes to improve
soil and livestock health and
therefore enabling farms to reduce
their GHG emissions, sequester more
carbon and/or improve their
resilience to climate change.
Examples include:
Fuel for maple syrup evaporation.
One petition states that “organic
maple syrup production consumes
too much fossil fuel.” The
petitioner suggests that “organic
maple syrup production should
promote the transition from fossil
fuels (fuel oil, propane and natural
gas) to renewable energies
(electricity and biomass or pellets).
Organic maple syrup production
should be exemplary in terms of
environmentally friendly practices
(in keeping with the Principle of
health in 0.2 of CAN/CGSB-32.310-
2020). Replacing oil evaporators
with wood, pellet or electric
evaporators significantly reduces
CO2 emissions.
Another proposal notes the value
of native ecosystems in holding
carbon in the soil. To discourage
destruction of native stem, they
recommend a mandatory 10-year
wait period between converting a
native ecosystem and having that
land certified.
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A petition for more clarity on the
requirement for crop rotations to
ensure all crop rotations are at least
three years long and all include
cover crops.
A petition to strengthen the
requirements for tillage would
reduce fossil fuel use and sequester
more carbon. The petitioner
suggests adding: “The use of
responsible tillage practices must be
adopted in order to: a) maintain or
improve the physical, chemical and
biological condition of soil, b)
minimize damage to the structure
and tilth of soil, c) reduce soil
salinization, and d) minimize soil
erosion. “Responsible tillage is
described as: The use of tillage
strategically and purposefully within
cropping systems to enhance
management and productivity in
cropping systems while minimizing
soil degradation. Practices may
include reducing the frequency,
intensity, aerial extent, and depth of
tillage, as well as minimizing topsoil
inversion and maintaining surface
residue. Responsible tillage systems
will also incorporate practices to
mitigate risks of soil degradation
from erosion, compaction/plow pan
formation, salinization, and soil
organic matter loss.”
Petitions to require that livestock,
including poultry, have more
outdoor access would likely result in
more perennial forage being planted
(which can sequester carbon) and
lower inputs of imported feed (which
requires fossil fuels for
transportation).
Meanwhile, organic farmers who want
to learn more about how to reduce their
contribution to climate change and
improve their operation’s ability to
adapt to the new climate challenges
can find ideas in Jean Duval’s excellent
report entitled “Greenhouse gas
reduction measures and organic
farming.” For more information on the
Standards Review, visit
www.organicfederation.ca.
13
 SPRING 2024
DIGGING DEEP FOR HEALTHY SOIL
Republished with permission from the
National Observer. Written by Patricia
Lane & Tori Waugh.
This in-their-own-words piece is told
to Patricia Lane and co-edited with
input from the interviewee for the
purpose of brevity.
Tori Waugh helps farmers share their
wisdom on soil health. As executive
director of the Ontario Soil Network,
she uses soil science, adult education
principles, facilitation and conflict
management skills to support farmers
to move into leadership in their
communities. Tori also advises other
groups interested in soil health and
was recently named a Clean50
Emerging Leader for her influence on
the way an estimated 2,500 Ontario
farmers treat the soil across 180,000
acres.
Tell us about the Ontario Soil
Network.
In 2019, agriculture emitted 72.7 MT of
CO2e in Canada. One of the most
effective ways to cut these emissions
is to rebuild organic matter in our
soils and sequester more carbon. This
also improves the quality, yield and
sustainability of our food systems.
But change proposed by outsiders is
often resisted by the tight social
networks that are such important
14
parts of life in rural communities. The
Ontario Soil Network (OSN) equips its
farmer members across southern
Ontario to lead their communities
into a better future for everyone.
Agricultural science might caution
against tilling but a dairy farmer who
has always tilled will be more likely to
stop if he hears a fellow dairy farmer's
positive experience with the change.
Innovators often attract negative
feedback from those resistant to
Tori Waugh with a farmer's 5-foot-long
earthworm found in Coteau des Prairies during
a summer storm. Photo credit: Woody Van Arkel.
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change and this can feel isolating and
risky. If you are at the local coffee
shop and hear disparaging remarks
about the much more productive, but
messier, cover crop you just planted,
that can feel hurtful. Our social
networks matter to us. Our training
equips farmers ready to innovate to
use these moments as opportunities
for relationship building and deeper
connections, rather than face
discouragement and divisive anger
alone.
In any innovation there are risks. We
offer farmers a community to consult
when they run into the inevitable
snags that are part of any transition.
How did you get into this work?
I was raised in urban Oakville by
parents who worked in the world of
data and ideas. During my first
semester at the University of Guelph,
I was concerned about people going
hungry in this country of plenty and
began volunteering at a soup kitchen
and food bank. I took a summer job
growing and harvesting fresh
produce in local backyards for the
food insecure. It was transformative
for me to make the hands-on
connection between the soil and food
we eat.
After I finished school, I wanted to
farm. I worked as a roaming farm
SPRING 2024
hand and then rented land to work on
my own. I almost starved. I made no
money at all the first year. In the
second year, I just about made back
my initial $2,000 investment. There
had to be a better way.
I worked for a farmer who taught me
everything he knew about his way of
farming. Because I was now paid an
hourly wage, I could afford further
education and I took courses on soil
science. I became fascinated with the
intricacies of the eco systems within
healthy soils. But at the same time, I
was tilling wet earth and could see the
damage I was doing as I left behind a
trail of packed mud.
I realized I was more interested in soil
than farming. A local conservation
authority took a chance on me and
hired me to provide outreach and
education about soil health to local
residents. I am forever grateful. I
reached 3,000 people in three years
and I am proud to say their gamble
paid off.
In my current work, I combine my
passion for soil health and my
understanding of community
organizing with my profound respect
for the people who work our land to
bring us food.
What makes it hard?
My skin is not all that thick. I still
doubt myself when I hear older
farmers cast doubt on new
approaches. But I like to think this
allows me to listen respectfully and
work with them to include their
concerns rather than brushing them
off.
What do you see if this goes well?
We are preparing to reach out across
Canada. Re-generation will become
synonymous with our country’s
agriculture.
What gives you hope?
An amazing team and so many
farmers all moving in the same
direction. When I hear the work we
did has helped our members
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transform negative chat at the coffee
shop into a community-building
moment or they have been
approached by another farmer for
advice about soil health, I feel a
profound sense of satisfaction.
What would you like to say to other
young people?
My path has been meandering. But I
have found my passion and
understand my skill set. Take the time
to discern how and where you can
make a difference. You will be happier
and more productive than if you just
follow along a convenient
unquestioning route.
What about older readers?
I would be nothing without my
mentors and those who have
connected me to others. When you do
that for young people, you multiply
their effectiveness.
To learn more about Ontario Soil
Network and their work, visit
www.ontariosoil.net.
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