Transitioning To Organic

Resources DriftWatch is now active across all three Prairie provinces! Whether you’re a farmer, applicator, or beekeeper, this platform is here for you.  Visit Drift watch and map your farm here: https://mb.driftwatch.org/ Find more information and a walkthrough on how to map your farm here: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/driftwatch Sponsors This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. Credits Host: Hailey Proutt Narrator: Marika Dewar-Norosky Producer: Marika Dewar-Norosky Editor:  Brandon Janzen Podcast oversight committee:  Scott Beaton, Marika Dewar-Norosky Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Manitoba Organics.

Resources linksThere are many online resources to help with getting started in organic certification that are continually updated. Canadian Organic Growers has a detailed overview of the steps to transition. https://cog.ca/transitioning-to-organic/SponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bioMelanie Rivard is an independent organic inspector and evaluator with over a decade of experience in organic certification, having worked in the sector since 2010. She lives near Miniota with her husband, Marc, and various two- and four-legged animals.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Manitoba Organics.

Resources linksLearn more about struvite from the Manitoba Cooperator:https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/struvite-fertilizer-from-winnipeg-sewers/Organic Federation Canada published a detailed article on Phosphorus cycling in organic systems that can be found here:https://mailchi.mp/organicfederation/phosphorousstruviteSponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Conservation Trust.  If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected].  Guest bio  Ian and Jo-Anne Cushon, along with their son Liam, operate Moose Creek Organic Farm at Oxbow, Saskatchewan.   The farm is in southeast Saskatchewan in the thin black soil zone.  The primary crops grown are wheat, oats, flax, hemp, and alfalfa seed. Ian started farming in 1981 and began converting to organic farming in 1985. After 30 years of organic farming, protecting and improving the soil and managing fertility with crop rotations and off-farm inputs on 5000 acres, requires continued learning, experimentation and lots of patience. 

Creating a nutrient budget will help you evaluate the effect of nutrient management on your fields’ sustainability and help you assess efficiency and improve resource allocation. The Nutrient Budgeting Web App was developed to help with multi-year nutrient management planning, especially for producers that rely on biological nitrogen fixation and/or occasional inputs of manure or other soil fertility amendments. This multi-year approach to nutrient management planning can help to optimize production while decreasing nutrient loss to the environment by doing a better job of matching soil nutrients to crop needs.The Nutrient Budgeting App will help you calculate whether nutrients are accumulating or being depleted from your fields over time.  It makes it easy for you to add up the nutrients you are bringing onto your fields (including through N fixation by legumes) and subtract the nutrients that leave your fields to help you plan your crop rotations and soil amendments. The NBA is meant to be used alongside other nutrient management tools, such as soil testing.Whether you are an organic producer, transitioning to organic production or a conventional producer wanting to better understand how legumes in your rotation can help you reduce synthetic nitrogen use, the NAB will help you understand the efficiency and flow of nutrients in your fields.Resources linkshttps://pivotandgrow.com/resources/grain-resources/grain-production/nutrient-budgeting/SponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Conservation Trust and Farmers for Climate Solutions. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bioJoanne Thiessen Martens Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens is Assistant Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. She teaches and conducts research on soil fertility and nutrient flows in agroecosystems, especially phosphorus dynamics and alternative crop production systems, including organic production. Her current research focuses on the interactions among soil, plants, and fertilizers, especially with recycled phosphorus inputs like struvite, as well as strategies to increase sustainability and resilience in prairie cropping systems. Joanne has worked with farmers, agronomists, extension personnel, and researchers across Manitoba and Canada, as well as internationally.

Resources linksCanada Grazing ExchangeA free online platform connecting livestock owners with landowners across Canada who have available grazing land or cover crops. A great tool to help improve soil health and make the most of forage opportunities. www.canadagrazingexchange.comGateway Research Organization (GRO)Based in Westlock, Alberta, GRO is a local Applied Research Association offering practical, science-based information on topics like soil health, pasture management, and livestock. They host regular winter "CropTalk" sessions and pasture webinars—perfect to catch live or rewatch later. Many producers enjoy tuning in while working in the field. Listen to recorded sessions on Podbean: Gateway Research Organization | PodbeanFaRM Learning HubThe FaRM (Farm Resilience Mentorship) Learning Hub is a go-to resource for Canadian farmers looking to build climate-resilient farms using regenerative agriculture practices. It offers self-guided learning modules, videos, and practical tools focused on grazing, soil health, and cover crops. The hub also features six free mini-courses that walk you through creating a grazing plan, covering key topics like paddock and cell design, fencing, record keeping, and more—perfect for getting started or refining your current system.https://www.farmlearninghub.ca/pages/about-grazingSponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Beef Producers and funded in part by Farmers for Climate Solutions and Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program.If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bio Ward MiddletonWard and his wife, Jo-Anne Middleton, own and operate Midmore Farms in Sturgeon County, Alberta.  Their operation has been certified organic for 28 years. The operation is an eclectic mixed farm that strives to find synergies between organic grain production and utilizing a custom grazing/feeding operation for nutrient import and soil health.  DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Manitoba Organics. 

Today Scott talks with John Cote who runs John Boy Farms near St. Agathe Manitoba. John shares about his experience growing vegetables for the local market and how and why he chose to focus on garlic. They also cover a few other topics such as soil health, cover crops and inputs.

In this episode, Scott interviews Cody Straza and Ian Cushon in a live panel format, recorded at the Organic Connections show in Saskatoon. Both are experienced organic farmers and they cover a wide variety of topics including species diversity, green manures, soil fertility, livestock and more.

Resources linksRodale Institute has some excellent information around composting as wellhttps://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-farming-practices/composting/

Resources linksOne fantastic way to build soil health and improve the water infiltration capacity of your soil is to integrate livestock onto your land.  For grain farmers who don’t own livestock, MOA and MFGA have built a website to help facilitate partnerships between grain and livestock farmers. It’s a great way to terminate and reincorporate your green manure and build your soil biology. FInd out more here: https://manitobagrazingexchange.com/The panel mentioned Mark Shepard’s keyline permaculture design, so we thought we’d include a link to a presentation he made last year at Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c8302QJk5kIf you’re in Manitoba, you can out more about the programs and support offered by the Watershed Districts and find out who your local district is here: https://manitobawatersheds.org/In Canada, other groups providing watershed and soil health support include Ducks Unlimited https://www.ducks.ca/ , and ALUS https://alus.ca/. SponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by the Canadian government through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Prairie Organic Development Fund and the Conservation Trust. MOA is also thankful for its gold sponsors, Millview Farms, La Milanaise, SeCan, Kroeker Farms and XiteBio. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bio Ryan CanartProducer and Manager, Assiniboine West WatershedRyan Canart received a degree in Natural Resource Management at Thompson Rivers University in 2002 but began his love of working with the land in 2000 when his family purchased their property near Hargrave Manitoba. Ryan has a passion for regenerative land management, which started with a keen interest in agroforestry. He applies that passion by managing his grass-backgrounding ranch with AMP grazing, planting trees, growing food, and taking advantage of the many opportunities rural living provides. Ryan has been involved with the watershed district program since 2003. Currently he is the General Manager of the Assiniboine West Watershed. He has also been involved with organizations over the years including the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council, the Prairie Improvement Network, and the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative.Henry WilsonResearch Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, BrandonHenry Wilson has been a Research Scientist with AAFC in Brandon, Manitoba since 2011. He conducts research on the hydrology, nutrient cycling, and stream ecology of agricultural systems. His current research is focused on developing knowledge to reduce eutrophication and flooding problems in agricultural watersheds, design of more sustainable and resilient production systems, and understanding potential environmental benefits and trade-offs associated with agricultural management changes. He earned his Ph.D. from the Watershed Ecosystems program at Trent University, in Ontario and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship through the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, USA before becoming a Research Scientist with AAFC.

Resources linksYou can contact Neal Wagar, Manitoba Technical Sales Rep via email [email protected] or  phone (204-218-2221) for any questions about Ecotea.Recent study results have been uploaded to our website as well in the Resources section: https://manitobaorganicalliance.com/podcasts/season-3-episode-6-biologicals/http://www.eco-tea.ca/https://youtu.be/sIsfmR7NK1Yhttps://youtu.be/KZzACqUuSYkwww.overtonenvironmental.cawww.ecotea.caSponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was sponsored by Overton Environmental Enterprises and funded in part by the Canadian government through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Prairie Organic Development Fund. MOA is also thankful for its gold sponsors, Millview Farms, La Milanaise, SeCan, Kroeker Farms and XiteBio. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bio Dale OvertonI am a highly motivated and hard working individual interested in applied ecology and sustainable landscape management. My goal is to work with industry partners to create realistic and economical solutions to complex ecological problems. I am also interested in developing, manufacturing and marketing various biological soil amendments and organic fertility products (Eco-Tea and Essential Organics). I am also involved in waste reduction and transformation projects using advanced composting techniques. Currently, I am involved in many innovative research projects both in Canada and Internationally, which focus on organics waste management, sustainable agri-systems, soil ecology and revegetation.My family and I live on a 97 acre farm in the boreal-parkland transition ecoregion. My wife and I share a beautiful daughter and son. We have dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and chickens all raised as holistically and sustainably as possible.