Industry wrestles with regenerative certification

Industry wrestles with regenerative certification

Canada needs flexible, farmer-driven standards to guide regenerative agriculture, experts say

Standardizing regenerative agriculture could make the system easier to market, but too much rigid definition could also alienate farmers and undermine grassroots progress, experts worry.

Opinion: Does soil health pay the bills?

Opinion: Does soil health pay the bills?

The answer to that simple question is very complex, recent research shows

Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers are under tremendous pressure these days to factor soil health into their management decisions. While there are lots of opinions about the benefits of healthy soils to the environment and society in general, it’s not always clear what’s in it for the farmer. Building soil health, often referred to as regenerative […] Read more


Microbes could help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers

Microbes could help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers

Science Notes: Coated bacteria improve germination rate of a variety of seeds

Production of chemical fertilizers accounts for about 1.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. MIT chemists hope to help reduce that carbon footprint by replacing some chemical fertilizer with a more sustainable source — bacteria. Bacteria that can convert nitrogen gas to ammonia could not only provide nutrients that plants need, but also […] Read more


Editorial: Let’s be careful not to greenwash regenerative

Food companies like to use descriptors such as “non-GMO”, “gluten-free”, “humane certified” and numerous others to try and differentiate their products in the marketplace. These often follow consumer trends, usually initiated by lobbyists for environmental, animal welfare, nutrition and health groups.  They can also be considered greenwashing when they are used incorrectly, or fraudulently.  The […] Read more

Corporate commitments to regenerative agriculture would suggest that the number of farms and acres following the practice is exploding. However, actual statistics remain difficult to find.

Regenerative agriculture reaches a crossroads

The jury is still out on whether the production philosophy will become a niche brand or a mainstream practice

Glacier FarmMedia – In early August, Prince Charles gave his stamp of approval to regenerative agriculture. While addressing an international soil conference held in Glasgow, the Prince of Wales said regenerative farming is the future of food production. “We have to be proactive in encouraging regenerative agriculture, with a diversity of plants and of grazing […] Read more

Photo: McCain Foods Ltd.

McCain acquires predictive crop technology

McCain Foods Ltd. has purchased predictive crop intelligence technology from Resson, a ‘vision intelligence technology’ firm headquartered in Fredericton, N.B. McCain has been a long-time partner with Resson, working together for nine years to develop algorithms that forecast farm yields using remote sensing technology. The technology will enable producers to make more appropriate decisions through […] Read more


Signage outside McCain’s Farms of The Future site at Florenceville-Bristol, about 110 km northwest of Fredericton. (Photos courtesy McCain)

Learning from McCain’s regenerative farming practices

Potato processing giant aims to 'de-risk' practices for growers

In 2021 McCain said it was going to launch three regenerative potato farming operations by 2025 and would label them “Farms of the Future.” The first, just outside of Florenceville-Bristol, N.B., now offers data to reflect on the effectiveness of the practices at the potato farm after its first fully operational season. “If we don’t […] Read more

There are synergies between regenerative and organic agriculture, and a new program that allows growers to be certified in both is available.

Global organic sector seeks synergies with regenerative movement

Canadian research centre director helping craft ‘Organic 3.0’

The global organic movement is stalled at what Andy Hammermeister refers to as ‘Organic 2.0’ – where aspiring organic producers must make changes to achieve a list of requirements in the standard, and once they do there’s no need for further improvement as long as they stay within the rules. Hammermeister, director of the Organic […] Read more