Organic Climate Solutions Organic Council of Ontario

Organic and regenerative farmers across Ontario are committed to a suite of practices that reduce the need for emissions-intensive inputs and build healthy soils that capture and store carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more about how these practices benefit both the environment and business from our Ontario organic farmer series and the 2022 Guelph Organic Conference session recordings below!

Organic Climate Solutions Ontario Farmer Series

Exploring Rotational Grazing at Meeting Place Organic Farm

Although grazing animals plays a vital role in rejuvenating the ecosystems in which they live, modern grazing practices have led to overgrazing that clears the land of vegetation and degrades the health of our soils. How can farmers tap into the environmental benefits that grazing animals have always had? Follow Katrina McQuail from Meeting Place Organic Farm as she explores her methods of rotational grazing and their benefits to her soil,  her animals and her business.   

Exploring Cover Cropping at Harrow Organic Farm

Cover cropping is the practice of planting crops that will not be harvested in a field that would otherwise be left bare. Cover cropping is an excellent way for farmers to rebuild their soil health, protect waterways, break up weed and pest cycles, and improve local biodiversity. Join Dean Martin from Harrow Organic Farms as he explores the benefits of cover crops and learn from his suggestions for how beginners can get started.

   

No-till Farming at Phillips Family Organic Farm

Tillage is the process of turning up the soil to prepare it for the growing season. There is increasing research that shows that tillage can be  harmful to soil organic life and releases carbon into the atmosphere. So how can farmers limit their tillage without compacting their soil? Join Hugh Phillips from Phillips Family Organic Farm of Brampton, Ontario as he shares his journey with no-till agriculture and some of the amazing results Phillips Family Organic Farm has seen due to their transition to no-till.
This video was sponsored by Mama Earth Organics a proud partner of Philips Family Organic Farm.

Exploring Regenerative Organic on the New Farm

 What is organic and regenerative farming, and how can shifting to these practices make a difference? Join Gillian Flies from the New Farm in Ontario as she shares some of her farm’s regenerative and organic techniques and explains why this farming style is important to her and her family.
2022 Geulph Organic Conference Session Recordings

Organic Climate Solutions: Keynote Address 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

What is organic and regenerative farming, and how can shifting to these practices make a difference? Join Gillian Flies from the New Farm in Ontario as she Across Canada, food production systems are under threat from unpredictable weather caused by climate change, making it difficult for farmers to run their businesses and feed their communities. Despite these challenges, Canadian farmers are well-positioned to be part of the climate solution without sacrificing their bottom line. In this session, Farmers for Climate Solutions Director Brent Preston will discuss farmers’ potential to address today’s climate issues, focusing on the role organic farming plays in this growing movement. This session will explore policies and incentives available to help farmers adopt climate-friendly practices and discuss the need for additional policies to facilitate this transition. Learn more about how you can increase the use of science-backed farming techniques that are good for both business and the climate.

Designing Regenerative Field Crop Rotations in Organic Production 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Are you new to organic farming, transitioning or interested in trying something different? Join field croppers Brett Israel from 3Gen Organics, Jen Doelman from Bonnechere Haven Farms and Matthew Dewavrin from Les Fermes Longprés to hear about their experience with field crop rotations. Developing an effective crop rotation is critical to regenerating soils and meeting your organic production system’s needs. Crop rotations are proven to improve crop and soil health, break up weed and pest cycles and much more. Learn about the rotations the panelists are currently using, what works best in their region and what new rotations they are experimenting with. Located in Western Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec, these growers will provide regionally diverse insight to support the development of a crop rotation well-suited to your farm’s unique climate.
This session was sponsored by Canadian Organic Growers.

Review of the 2021 Ontario Organic Market Report 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Ontario’s organic market saw tremendous growth in 2020, with the demand for organic products far outpacing supply. Curious about how you can tap into premium pricing and a hungry consumer base? Join us for an update on Canada’s organic market from Kim De Lallo with Canada Organic Trade Association followed by a focused review of the 2021 Ontario Organic Market Report, including trends and observations from the past year and a glimpse at where your next business opportunity may lie from Carolyn Young.
Explore reports, data and statistics OCO has shared about the organic sector.
Browse COTA’s Organic sector data and research.

Rotational Grazing and Raising Beef Organically in Ontario 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Interested in learning about how rotationally grazing cattle can improve your farm? Curious about raising cows organically in Ontario? In this session, Van Groningen Meats’ Cory Van Groningen will discuss the benefits he has experienced since integrating rotational grazing into his farming system and explain why he has not chosen to certify organic. Next, hear from Katrina McQuail from Meeting Place Organic Farm, who will share her experience with raising certified organic beef in Ontario. Session moderator Gerald Poechman will support this conversation with an overview of the market for organic beef in Ontario, discussing the current challenges and how farmers are overcoming them.
This session was sponsored by the Prairie Organic Development Fund and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada.
Learn more about the market from Organic Beef in Ontario by reading OCO’s Premium Meat Marketing Study .

Considering the Benefits and Challenges of Different Approaches to Labour in Organic Production 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Labour is often the largest expense category in agricultural businesses. So it is important to carefully consider which forms of labour to use. Is free intern labor really free? What is involved with hiring migrant workers? Is it worth investing in automation? Join Ian Adamson from Greenbelt Greenhouse, Jessica Foote from Lunar Rhythm Gardens, and organic agriculture consultant David Cohlmeyer to discuss the challenges and benefits of this important topic.
This session was sponsored by the Prairie Organic Development Fund and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada.

Less is More: Reducing On Farm Food Waste in Organic Vegetable Production and Exploring Alternative Packaging 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

In Canada, it is estimated that approximately 13 percent of crops are disposed of or go unharvested at the farm level annually. The environmental and cost-saving benefits of reducing on-farm food waste are clear. But farming and storing crops is extremely time-sensitive and labour-intensive, and food waste can be affected by factors outside of a farmer’s control, like weather and customer demand. Additionally, packaging plays a role in preventing food waste as it travels to the end consumer, but it also contributes to our growing landfills. These issues are often exacerbated in organic agriculture—so how can farmers reduce waste within their control? In this session, you’ll hear from Pfenning’s Organic Farm and Amy Kitchen from Sideroad Farm as they discuss tips and tricks for reducing on-farm food waste in organic vegetable production. Outcast Foods’ CEO Dan McKeen will follow by sharing how potential food waste can be upcycled. Allen Kirkpatrick with the Canadian Corrugated & Containerboard Association will end the session by looking at sustainability in the packaging industry, focusing on corrugated and containerboard packaging, the importance of packaging in reducing food waste, and the changing packaging regulations in Ontario that will impact producers
This session was sponsored by Pfenning’s Organic Farm.
This session was sponsored by the Prairie Organic Development Fund and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada.

Eco-Scholar Spotlight: Bee Biodiversity in Regeneratively Grazed Pastures and Increasing Organic Field Crop Phosphorus Uptake 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Organic agriculture has many proven environmental and economic benefits, from improved soil and plant health to premium prices for organic producers. Ongoing research is essential to progress the uptake of organic regenerative practices. In this session, 2021 EcoScholars Michelle Carkner and Kyra Lightburn will share the findings of their award-winning research projects.Michelle Carkner will discuss her research on the physiological strategies used to increase phosphorus uptake in field crops on low phosphorus land and provide insight into field crop varieties best-suited to regenerative organic systems. Kyra Lightburn will share her research assessing bee and flowering plant biodiversity in organic and non-organic rotationally grazed pasture lands across Southern Ontario, the first study of its kind. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about these exciting new advancements in organic research!
This session was sponsored by Yorkshire Valley Farm.
Learn more about the Eco-Scholar Award.

Integrated Weed Management in Organic Production 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

A systems approach to managing weeds in organic production is crucial. Weeds can be particularly challenging in organic production. So it is important to integrate the many different practices available to farmers to suppress and remove weeds. Join this session to hear from University of Maine’s Eric Gallandt who will share his insight as to how farmers can harness the power of ecological processes to control weeds in field crop production and beyond. Next Jake Munroe from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will share his research on cover crop-based organic no-till soybean production in Ontario. Moderated by Ruth Knight
This session was sponsored by Pro-Cert Organic Systems
This session was sponsored by the Prairie Organic Development Fund and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada.

Seeds, the Foundation of the Agricultural System 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Join this discussion to learn how to achieve the best possible results from your seeds! Building on last year’s seed session, we will explore best practices for on-farm and backyard seed saving, seed storage and how to achieve successful germination, including special consideration of vegetative seeds. The presenters will share successful methods, strategies, and tricks of the trade they have gathered through first-hand experience and working with farmers in their community. Whether you are running a farm business or are a backyard gardener, this session will help you optimize your seed care.
Check out the Searchable Seed Resource Library!

Regenerative Organic Certification and Organic 3.0 Panel Discussion 2022 Guelph Organic Conference

Join Jennifer Bromm (Ecocert) Andrew Hammermeister (OACC)  and Program Manager Stuart Oke (OCO) in a wide-ranging conversation on the recently introduced Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) and what it means for the evolution of the organic sector and certification.  In the session speakers will explore what’s involved in ROC and how this new certification interacts with the Canadian Organic Regime (COR) and the evolution of the Canadian Organic Standard.
This session was sponsored by ECOCERT.