Canada’s Largest Organic Event. Something for Everyone!
Friday, January 27th, 2023
Paul Holmbeck, director Holmbeck EcoConsult, stepped down in 2020 after 25 years as CEO and Political Director in Organic Denmark (Økologisk Landsforening). Organic Denmark represents organic farmers, consumers, food professionals and food companies, representing 90% of organic sales in Denmark. Since 1995, Paul has played a leading role in developing Denmark’s and the European Union’s ambitious organic goals and policies, including the world’s first National Organic Action Plan and first EU Organic Action Plan.
Paul’s lobby work is credited with securing support for organic policy from 10 of 11 political parties in the Danish parliament, and he is co-author of much of the broad policy framework in Danmark for organic innovation, market development, farm conversion and 60 percent organic in all public kitchens. Policies that won a UN Future Policy Award for development of Agroecology in 2018.
Paul was pivotal in unifying the organic movement in Denmark; and in creating Organic Denmark in 2002 as a driving force for market development, farm innovation, consumer support and strong organic food politics. Much of this through a unique level of collaboration across the supply chain and with a range of policy makers and NGO actors.
Paul also spearheaded the close strategic collaborations between Organic Denmark and major retailers in Denmark. These partnerships are– together with effective consumer communication– credited with making Denmark number one in the world for organic sales, with 13 percent of the food market, and organic market shares of 30-50 percent for many basic products like milk, oats, flour, eggs and a number of fruits and vegetables. Over 80 percent of Danes buy organic food, and over 75 percent now buy organic food every week.
Today, Paul advises governments, business associations, NGOs, retail leaders around the world on organic policy development, market strategies and communication. Most recently (June 2022) delivering a strategy for a new organic policy framework and market growth in The Netherlands. He is also advising in Ireland, France, UK, Uganda, Tanzania, USA and, of course, Denmark, and has been key note speaker on organic policy and market development in parliaments, ministries and summits in most of these countries. Paul is the 2021 Grand Prix winner of the One World Award for agroecology. In September, 2021 Paul was elected to the IFOAM – Organics International World Board.
More info: https://paulholmbeck.com/ and Linked In.
Rick Clark is a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, IN. The main goal on the farm is to build soil health and achieve balance with Mother Nature. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. He is most proud of incorporating regenerative farming practices with all acres being certified organic. He calls it regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage. He will suppress weeds and build soil health with cover crops and no tillage. Rick also cares deeply about human health, as it is another important driver behind the organic no till style of farming. Rick is building a system that will be viable and profitable for generations to come.
This session is sponsored by: Suresource
Saturday, January 28th, 2023

Crop production, soil quality, and economic analysis:
Organic legume cover crop farming in Southern Ontario
For the past 9 years, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Researchers and Harrow Research and Development Centre have been evaluating the efficacy of using legume cover crops in organically managed soybean-winter wheat/cover crop-corn rotation in Harrow, Ontario.
They looked at cover crop biomass and biomass N accumulation; grain yields; impacts on selected soil health parameters; and an economic analysis was conducted for grain production under cover crop involved organically managed and no-cover crop conventional rotations.
Dr. Xueming Yang will share their results of this 5 year study.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPEAKER:
Dr. Xueming Yang is a research scientist in the AAFC Harrow Research and Development Centre where he studies soil health with special interest in the relationships between agronomic management practices (tillage, rotation, cover cropping) and soil carbon and nitrogen charateristics and dynamics.

COTA Series: The latest in Organic Data – all you wanted to know!
Join COTA’s Executive Director, Tia Loftsgard, who will provide a deep dive into the production statistics, consumer perceptions, and high-level overview of sales with a national and Ontario specific focus.
LOCATION: UC 442
SPEAKER:
Tia Loftsgaard is the Executive Director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association.
With extensive experience working in the organic food industry, Tia co-founded Camino (La Siembra Co-operative) in 1999, going on to become the organic and Fairtrade cocoa company’s Director of Sales until 2009, when she joined Fairtrade Canada. As its Business Development and Licensing Director, she led strategy, building the not-for-profit’s membership base and encouraging sustainable & ethical sourcing standards. In 2013, she moved over to Fairtrade America, where as its Chief Operating Officer, she successfully developed advocacy initiatives and grew U.S. market opportunities for small farmers via the Fairtrade model. Tia joined COTA as the Executive Director in March 2016.

Improving the market for Organics: Lessons from Europe Q & A
Join Paul Holmbeck, the former director of Organic Denmark in an open Q&A on how policy and market development efforts are moving Organics forward in Europe. There will be a particular emphasis on organic dairy, poultry, eggs and meats.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKER:
Paul Holmbeck, director Holmbeck EcoConsult, stepped down in 2020 after 25 years as CEO and Political Director in Organic Denmark (Økologisk Landsforening). Organic Denmark represents organic farmers, consumers, food professionals and food companies, representing 90% of organic sales in Denmark. Since 1995, Paul has played a leading role in developing Denmark’s and the European Union’s ambitious organic goals and policies, including the world’s first National Organic Action Plan and first EU Organic Action Plan.
Pauls lobby work is credited with securing support for organic policy from 10 of 11 political parties in the Danish parliament, and he is co-author of much of the broad policy framework in Danmark for organic innovation, market development, farm conversion and 60 percent organic in all public kitchens. Policies that won a UN Future Policy Award for development of Agroecology in 2018.
Paul was pivotal in unifying the organic movement in Denmark; and in creating Organic Denmark in 2002 as a driving force for market development, farm innovation, consumer support and strong organic food politics. Much of this through a unique level of collaboration across the supply chain and with a range of policy makers and NGO actors.
Paul also spearheaded the close strategic collaborations between Organic Denmark and major retailers in Denmark. These partnerships are– together with effective consumer communication– credited with making Denmark number one in the world for organic sales, with 13 percent of the food market, and organic market shares of 30-50 percent for many basic products like milk, oats, flour, eggs and a number of fruits and vegetables. Over 80 percent of Danes buy organic food, and over 75 percent now buy organic food every week.
Today, Paul advises governments, business associations, NGOs, retail leaders around the world on organic policy development, market strategies and communication. Most recently (June 2022) delivering a strategy for a new organic policy framework and market growth in The Netherlands. He is also advising in Ireland, France, UK, Uganda, Tanzania, USA and, of course, Denmark, and has been key note speaker on organic policy and market development in parliaments, ministries and summits in most of these countries. Paul is the 2021 Grand Prix winner of the One World Award for agroecology. In September, 2021 Paul was elected to the IFOAM – Organics International World Board.
More info: https://paulholmbeck.com/

Organic magic with worms – Turn your food scraps in black gold
Discover how worms convert organic matter (food scraps and paper) into nature’s finest soil amendment known as castings. Worms are going to play an ever-increasing role in waste management, soil production and therefore food security. Taking care of food scraps is one way we can all help mitigate climate change. Feed the soil, not the plant. This simple solution is suitable for everywhere. Cities with small living space, cottage country where wildlife may be attracted to outdoor composting and business looking to save money and enhance their grounds naturally.
It’s the 20th anniversary of Cathy’s Crawly Composters. Over 75,000 have seen my presentation. As a Laughter Yoga Teacher, my sessions more engaging than ever.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPEAKER:
Cathy Nesbitt is a Worm Advocate and Founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters. Established in 2002 this environmental business specializes in vermicomposting (indoor composting with worms) and organic diversion. Vermicomposting is a leading-edge answer to our organic waste problem.

COG Series: Planning for Climate Change Resilience panel and discussion
What can you do as a farmer to track your farm’s resilience to climate change? Did you know there are simple, affordable on-farm soil health tools you can use to help you determine the impact of your management decisions and whether you are on the right track? These normally qualitative tests are best used in conjunction with soil lab tests, but can be quantified and replicated to show improvement over time. This session presents an overview of these tools, how they can be used alongside soil lab analysis, and recommends a protocol for tracking your soil health over time.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPEAKERS:
Gillian Flies owns and operates The New Farm with her husband Brent Preston. The New Farm provides high quality, organic produce to fine restaurants and specialty retail stores in the Toronto and Collingwood areas.
Gillian grew up on a sheep farm in rural Vermont. After graduating from the University of Vermont, Gillian joined the Peace Corps and spent two years teaching math in Botswana. She went on to work for human rights and democratic development organizations on four continents, and organized observer delegations for landmark elections in Nigeria, Indonesia, East Timor and elsewhere.
Gillian worked as a management consultant in Toronto for six years before abandoning her successful career and moving to the farm in 2003. Since then, Gillian and Brent have built The New Farm into a thriving business and a leading light in the good food movement, providing organic vegetables to some of the best restaurants in Canada and raising almost a million dollars to make local, organic food accessible in low income communities. Gillian is also a Board Director and Ex-Officio President with Canadian Organic Growers.
David has been interested in farming his entire life. After university, his grandmother sold him a quarter section of land (640 acres), and his farm has grown ever since. David chose organic and gluten-free farming because he is interested in growing not just a commodity, but food for his community.
David loves playing sports with his 3 kids. He feels that the most challenging aspect of farming is climate change, as erratic weather and climate make every year an adventure. His favorite thing about farming is being proud of the food he grows and knowing that he is feeding other families. He is excited to share his knowledge and passion for farming with his kids, as they grow older and are becoming interested in learning more.
Vivian Kaloxilos is passionate about the natural world, assisting and documenting life and biodiversity as it bounces back from states of degradation. She is an ecologist who specializes in soil ecology and applied soil life regeneration. She sees herself as a support system to farmers and landowners who are at the front lines of the regenerative movement. Through her company Docterre, founded in 2015, she has been educating, supporting and accompanying farmers in their processes of regenerating soil biodiversity, understanding the connection between the health of subterranean biodiversity and above ground plant and ecosystem health and performance, and helping them to develop the practical skills needed to do so. She has been looking at agricultural soils and composts across Quebec and Ontario under her microscope for a decade, supporting the work of ecologically innovative farmers and documenting their trials this way. Vivian is a master compost maker, providing compost inoculums that are ecologically balanced and biologically rich, which her clients use to make liquid compost extracts on farm. She has guided many farmers in on farm compost extract production, on farm composting, microscopy, and understanding the agroecological systematic approaches needed to go hand in hand with soil ecology for results in the field. She’s seen the reality of applying regenerative practices on many types and scales of farms. Before founding Docterre, she taught and mentored Dr. Elaine Ingham’s soil consultants around the globe, was a graduate of McGill’s School of Environment and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in applied field ecology, and completed her Permaculture Design Certificate. Today she sees herself as an ecologist at the service and support of a farmer-led regenerative movement, and her wish above all else is to see a renewed and thriving culture, reintegrated in ecology, and that the natural balance be restored.
Ken Laing farms with his wife Martha and daughter Ellen at Orchard Hill Farm near St.Thomas, Ontario. Ken has a degree in Horticulture from the University of Guelph. In his 40+ years of farming he has grown a wide variety of field crops, small fruit and vegetables organically. For the last 3 years his farm has been a Living-Labs site for Agricuture and Agri-Food Canada and EFAO. This was EFAO’s horticulture site and Ken was developing no-till strategies for organic vegetables.

The Best Perennial Crops for Northern Food Forests
Using his three priorities for selecting perennial plants and crops: productivity, ease of cultivation, and palatability, Ben Caesar will highlight fundamental features in a properly designed and maintained food forest – from crops, nut trees, fruit trees to berry bushes, perennial vegetables and salad greens. He will cover cultivation details, site location, sun/shade preferences, and how to use the produce in the kitchen.
These perennials will not only provide healthy, organic food without much work, but also help you cultivate a deep relationship with the land that resides just outside the kitchen door.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPEAKER:
Ben Caesar brings 20 years of experience growing a wide variety of perennial crops, and 10 years operating a nursery devoted to providing the best food-producing perennials for Ontario. “I’ve experimented wildly over the years, and have developed a set of favourite perennials that supply a large portion of my meals.”

COTA Series: Changes in the Regulatory Landscape for Organic; Challenges and Opportunities
Join COTA’s Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations Manager, My-Lien Bosch, and Executive Director, Tia Loftsgard, to stay abreast of regulatory and policy issues that not only present opportunities, but also presents new challenges to the organic sector.
LOCATION: UC 442
SPONSOR: COTA
SPEAKER:
Tia Loftsgaard is the Executive Director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association. With extensive experience working in the organic food industry, Tia co-founded Camino (La Siembra Co-operative) in 1999, going on to become the organic and Fairtrade cocoa company’s Director of Sales until 2009, when she joined Fairtrade Canada. As its Business Development and Licensing Director, she led strategy, building the not-for-profit’s membership base and encouraging sustainable & ethical sourcing standards. In 2013, she moved over to Fairtrade America, where as its Chief Operating Officer, she successfully developed advocacy initiatives and grew U.S. market opportunities for small farmers via the Fairtrade model. Tia joined COTA as the Executive Director in March 2016.
My–Lien Bosch is the Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Manager at the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). Prior to joining COTA, she was the Director of Technical Services at the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada and had worked for several companies on technical, regulatory and certification files. My–Lien has a MSc in food science and also has a background in food manufacturing and product development for human and animal food.

Livestock Grazing Planning & Management
Along with air and water quality, high quality, species-appropriate nutrition is the foundation of health. Join esteemed veterinarian Dr. Susan Beal in this ninety minute session focused on the next steps that farmers and ranchers can do to improve and fine-tune their grazing planning and management. This session will be appropriate for all classes and types of stock, poultry included. Attendees will leave the session with an understanding of everything from starting out making a making a farm map and grazing plan, all the way to finessing their already-in-place rotational grazing plan.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPONSOR: Bio Ag consultants and Distributers
SPEAKER:
Dr. Susan Beal, DVM is the Agricultural Science Advisor for PASA: The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.
Dr Beal comes from a long background of holistic veterinary practice, ranging from mixed practice through emergency medicine, equine, and companion animal practices. Before joining the team at PASA, Dr Beal was employed by Big Run Healing Arts, a non‐speciated veterinary practice dedicated to providing holistic care for animals and the environment.
She also provided educational programs, consulting and coaching for her clients as well as farmers, producers and consumer groups. Susan is particularly interested in whole farm/whole system pasture based ecology, and offers common sense advice and counsel with the goal of health from the ground up – thriving individuals and ecosystems.

COG Series: Innovations in Cover Cropping (Intermediate to Advanced)
Cover cropping is an organic regenerative practice that can help increase on-farm soil health, crop health and water retention. Cover cropping is an integral part of increasing your farms resilience to the threats of climate change. This session offers an expanded overview of innovations in cover cropping in Ontario and across Canada and how you can apply them to your farm.
COG developed the curriculum for the cover cropping course as part of Farmers for Climate Solutions Farm Resilience Management (FaRM) Program. FaRM is a free learning hub offering online resources,
access to experienced farmer mentors, and a network of farmers in your region and across Canada to help you adopt practices that reduce emissions and build resilience.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPONSOR: COG – Canadian Organic Growers
SPEAKERS:
Raised just outside of Kingston, Ontario Stuart Oke grew up in a non-farming family. After an accidental season spent working on organic farms in Ireland, as a member of WWOOF, he turned to farming full time in 2009. Since then, Stuart has farmed throughout Ontario and in Quebec. He has had the privilege of learning from and apprenticing under some truly inspirational and professional farmers over the years. In 2017 he co-founded Rooted Oak Farm, a vegetable and cut flower farm serving the Ottawa and Kingston area. Stuart is a proud member of the National Farmers Union and has worked as an organizer at the grassroots, provincial and national level of the organization. He served as the National NFU Youth President for three years. He is the current Vice-President of Canadian Organic Growers and is a passionate advocate of ecological and organic production. He chairs the NFU Climate Committee and works in various capacities for the farmer coalition Farmers for Climate Solutions. In the winter months and when not otherwise working you can hear him on the Who Will Feed Us Podcast where he is a producer and co-host.
Brent worked as a human rights investigator, election observer and journalist on four continents before becoming a farmer. For the past fifteen years he has run The New Farm, a wholesale vegetable operation near Creemore, Ontario, with his wife, Gillian. The farm supplies specialty retail stores and some of the best restaurants in Canada. Brent speaks often on food and farming issues, and has written for the Huffington Post, Globe and Mail, and other publications. His memoir of starting a sustainable farm was a national bestseller.
Brent is the President of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.
Anne Verhallen is a Soil Management Specialist Horticulture at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Agronomy Building.
Areas of Focus:
- Field demonstration trials in cover crops, soil quality and irrigation scheduling
- Provide technical support in the area of wind erosion control, compaction, irrigation scheduling and other soil management issues related to the production of horticultural crops
- Editor of the Cover Crop Best Management Practices book

The Camphill Biodynamic Market Garden: lessons for community, ecology and the climate crisis
Social inclusion and biodynamic agriculture have been at the heart of the world-wide Camphill movement for almost 9 decades now. Camphill has inspired many new forms of agriculture in the world, especially the CSA movement, Land Trust Co-operative Farming, and Social Farming. In their discussion Annette and Allan will explore how their Market Gardening at Camphill Community Ontario grows not only ecology and community, but regrows our ability to reconnect with the fundamental life systems of our planet, perhaps establishing a way out of our current existential climate crisis.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPONSOR: COG – Canadian Organic Growers
SPEAKERS:
For the past twenty-three years Allan Kuhn has been working in Organic Agriculture. He completed both the Provincial Apprenticeship and the Demeter Apprenticeship and graduated from Organic Agriculture Management College all in North Rhein Westphalia, Germany. Since 2007 Allan has been with Camphill Communities Ontario, helping their five-acre Market Garden Program.
For the past twenty-eight years Annette has been working in Organic Agriculture. She completed her training in the Horticultural Program at Banting in Alliston. Since graduating she has been part of the Agricultural Day programming at Camphill Communities Ontario, helping in the Market Garden, the Herb Garden and with the Maple Syrup.
OMRI Canada Lunch Meet & Greet
Join us to find out about OMRI Canada’s
Review Program!
Light Lunch will be served in Room UC 332 at noon.
Ignatius Farm Lunch Meet and Greet
Join us to learn more about our
Immersion internships and New Farmer Training!
Bring your lunch.
UC334
Becoming an intern is an excellent way to learn farming skills and theory, make farming connections, and gain hands-on experience! Ignatius Farm interns work alongside farm staff and join the weekly online Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program.
Ignatius Farm in Guelph hires 3-5 interns every season and we are excited to meet the next season’s candidates! Join Farm Educator, Lisa Conroy for an informal Q&A/meet and greet on January 28th over the lunch break. Bring your questions and your lunch to room XXX at 12pm.
Are you interested in learning about the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program? Or have you already taken part in NFTP programs and webinars?
We want to meet past and future participants! Come say Hi and share your farming journey/aspirations!
Meet in room UC 334 at 12pm.
Your ad could go here. Contact communications@organiccouncil.ca for details.

NFUO series: A Modern Spin on Traditional Craft: Exploring Value-Added Livestock Operations
Want to add more value to your livestock operation production? Are you seeking inspiration on how to put a modern spin on traditional value-added craftmanship? Whether you are a small or large livestock operation, join this panel to learn how others have expanded their operation to include diversified upscale artisanal handicrafts.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPONSOR: NFUO
SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Osborn is the artist and farmer at All Sorts Acres Farm & Art Studio along with her partner Tim Fisher. Starting in 2007 on just over an acre outside of Guelph with the goal of creating an integrated art-farm, the two persevered until finally purchasing the land they currently farm in 2016. The 50-acre farm, located an hour north of Guelph, is managed using regenerative, ecological, permaculture, and circular economy principles and practice that revolve around sheep. With a certified commercial kitchen, wool processing facility, and on-farm store and gallery, almost all of what the farm produces is processed on farm creating value added sheep milk gelato, yogurt, cheese, kefir, milk, wool items, and pastured lamb. Bees, ducks, chickens, berries, and willow contribute to the farm identity and product base that includes charcoal, paint, honey, eggs, flavours for their gelato, and farm inspired artwork that includes original pieces and plantable greeting cards. In addition to products, in 2022 they opened a space for reactive dogs and their people to visit.
Brenda Hsueh is a Chinese Canadian woman farmer, who has been farming Black Sheep Farm in Grey County since 2009. She first came to farming single and jaded from years of working a desk job in Toronto. Now she farms with her partner Skyler, and their daughter Emma, often tired and pessimistic about the state of the world, but ever hopeful, watching nature’s regenerative cycles in action. They produce organic vegetables on a no-till 1 acre garden for CSA members, and raise sheep for their regenerative grazing to combat the climate crisis, while producing meat for food, fibre for clothing, fertilizer and mulch, and compost for fertility for the vegetable garden. Brenda is passionate about all things sheep and fleece related and is hopeful for a future where wool is valued, processed, and used more extensively in Canada.

Integrated weed management panel and discussion
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 Rick Clark and his experience controlling weeds on a thousand acres in Indiana. Plus, Jamie Israel form 3Gen will share his insights from an Ontario perspective.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPONSOR: Sylvite Agri Services
SPEAKERS:
Change-maker Rick Clark offers a practical, proven example of how regenerative farming methods can transform global agriculture… and so much more! Rick Clark is a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, IN. The main goal on the farm is to build soil health and achieve balance with Mother Nature. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. He is most proud of incorporating regenerative farming practices with all acres being certified organic. He calls it regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage. He will suppress weeds and build soil health with cover crops and no tillage. Rick also cares deeply about human health, as it is another important driver behind the organic no till style of farming. Rick is building a system that will be viable and profitable for generations to come.
Jamie Israel — 3Gen Organics – named for the three generations who own and operate the farm – takes a holistic and systems-based approach to farming. With this holistic approach, the Israels began to transition their entire operation to organic in 2015. Over the course of the next five years, they certified their hog operation and all their fields and continued to grow their business by renting new land in the area.
They are able to make cover crops work with any of their field crops and even seed a four-species blend into their standing corn while maintaining strong yields. “[The] cover crop looks great and helps break down corn residue, and we’re still getting 150-180 bushel corn.”
Currently they grow soft red winter wheat, hard red spring wheat, winter and spring barley, cereal rye, hybrid rye, triticale and peas for forage production. Most of the grain and all of the forage is fed to the pigs, either fresh or ensiled. They are able to market most of their wheat locally through 1847, a Foodland Ontario artisan miller in Fergus.
Mary–Howell Martens and her family farm 2000 acres of certified organic grain, forage and dairy in upstate New York. They have been certified organic since 1992. Additionally, she owns and operates Lakeview Organic Grain, an organic seed and animal feed operation serving dairy, poultry and vegetable farmers throughout the Northeast. She served on the USDA Advisory Committee for Agricultural Biotechnology, the Cornell University Dean’s Advisory committee, and the NOFA-NY Board of Directors. In earlier years, she worked in the grape breeding program at Cornell University and taught biology and plant physiology at Finger Lakes Community College. She has a BS in Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University, and a MS in Plant Breeding/Vegetable Crops from Cornell University. She also loves to bake with home-grown, home-ground grains!

EFAO Series: Finding a market for your small organic grains
Thinking about growing something different this year or approaching a new buyer? This session is the place to be.
Join EFAO Small Grains program lead, Jackie Clark, Hugh Martin, former OMAFRA organic specialist, Geoff Smith from Agricorp, and representatives from 1847 Milling, The Andersons Group, Beechwood Agri Services, Crooked Creek Acres, Field Farms Marketing, Jones Feed Mill, King Grain, SureSource Commodities, and Wehrmann Grain to learn about trends in organic field crops and how each company works. After initial introductions, buyers will break out for more one-on-one networking and discussion. We are also excited to launch something new so please join us!
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPONSOR: EFAO
Carolyn Young (OCO),
Hugh Martin,
Jackie Clark (EFAO),
Geoff Smith (Agricorp),
Melissa Mckeown (1847 Milling),
Amanda Peer (The Anderson Group),
Andrew St. Jean (Beechwood Agri Services),
Rob Langford (Crooked Creek Acres),
Rita Felder (Field Farms Marketing),
Mike Edwards (Jones Feed Mill),
Marshall King (King Grain),
Rob Wallbridge (SureSource Commodities),
and Harro Wehrmann (Wehrmann Grain).

NFUO Series: Farm Labour Unity – Empowering Farmworkers
Farmworkers are making moves! Until recently, the corporate agricultural industry has dominated the narrative of the so-called “farm labour crisis” and glossed over the in-the-dirt realities of migrant and domestic farmworkers in Canada. Similarly, the often-innovative labour performed by both farm operators and their aspiring farmer staff on organic and agroecological farms has escaped public attention. A 2020 NFU-O Farm Labour Report, a 2022 OCO labour market research project, a brand new NFU farmworker membership category, and a November/December 2022 Briarpatch article written by progressive farmworkers are placing the challenges, realities, and opportunities of farm labour on agroecological farms in an age of unprecedented agricultural crises in perspective. Join the Briarpatch writers and an OCO representative to understand the “farm labour crisis” in a new light and learn how together we can empower each other to raise the value and profile of farm labour.
LOCATION: UC 442
SPONSOR: NFUO
SPEAKERS:
Hannah Kaya is a farm worker working and living in unceded Anishinaabeg territory. She serves as the Farm Worker Organizer for the National Farmers Union.
Briana Vanular is a Policy and Research Coordinator with OCO working on the Labour Project. While studying Human Environment and Environmental Assessment at Concordia University, she became passionate about organic and regenerative farming as one solution to the environmental challenges we face today. She is particularly interested in themes of food sovereignty, accessibility, and community food operations.

Vertical organic aquaponics system for food, education, and community benefits
This workshop is a practical introduction to Vertical Organic Aquaponic System for home and community-oriented growers. They will relay the principles, challenges and opportunities of co-culturing fish and plants in urban settings. Principles discussed will include choice of inputs and practices for organic compliance. Possible solutions to challenges will also be discussed ranging from water quality to plant health and economic feasibility. Finally, we will present on the opportunities of aquaponics in various settings and scales (e.g., large off-grid farms, small in-home and multi-residential building systems) as well as different uses. Uses go beyond food production and include (1) providing education centred on sustainable urban agriculture, ecology and organic food, and (2) attendant health benefits of bringing natural elements into buildings. Workshop participants will come away with enhanced understanding of how aquaponics can be done effectively and organically.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPONSOR: Presented in Partnership with HiGarden
SPEAKERS:
Phil Fung, P.Eng., is the President and Founder of HiGarden who helps run an indoor, community-centre farm in Markham, as well as an off-grid container farm (with aquaponics) for City of Brampton.
Dr. Matt Hammond is an ecologist and urban agriculture specialist who helps run an indoor, community-center farm in Markham, as well as an off-grid container farm (with aquaponics) for the City of Brampton.

COTA Series: Protecting Organic Integrity and Actions You Can Take
Join Canadian Biotech Action Network’s Heather Lee and Canada Organic Trade Association’s My-Lien Bosch, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations Manager, for a deep dive into two threats that organic is currently facing: proposed government changes that would allow some genetically engineered seeds and feeds onto the market without risk assessments or information for farmers, and increases to the maximum allowed residue levels of glyphosate.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPEAKERS:
Heather Lee is a co-founder of No-More GMOs, a CBAN member group based in Toronto that is focused on local advocacy and education. She studied Canada’s regulatory and policy-making framework for GE Foods for her undergraduate and graduate theses and has given talks on GMOs everywhere from community events and farmers’ markets to national academic conferences. She has collaborated to raise awareness, and counter misinformation, about GE foods with community groups, co-ops, the Organic Council of Ontario, the National Farmers Union, and non-GMO focused distributors, farmers, producers, and retailers. Heather is also a founding member of the Toronto Non-GMO Coalition.
My–Lien Bosch is the Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Manager at the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). Prior to joining COTA, she was the Director of Technical Services at the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada and had worked for several companies on technical, regulatory and certification files. My–Lien has a MSc in food science and also has a background in food manufacturing and product development for human and animal food.

EFAO Series: Exploring No-Till Strategies For Larger Scale Organic Vegetable Growers
Ken Laing brings to this workshop a lifelong passion for soil dynamics, cover crops, organic crop production and machinery construction and modification. Ken’s participation in the Living Lab – Ontario project, in collaboration with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO), has allowed him to explore diverse techniques for no-till organic vegetables at mid-large scale. At this scale it means finding or modifying machinery that will plant into large quantities of residue that are necessary for weed control. In this workshop Ken will share the challenges and his experience with many different strategies and crops.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPEAKER:
Ken Laing farms with his wife Martha and daughter Ellen at Orchard Hill Farm near St. Thomas, Ontario. Ken has a degree in Horticulture from the University of Guelph. In his 40+ years of farming he has grown a wide variety of field crops, small fruit and vegetables organically. For the last 3 years his farm has been a Living-Labs site for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and EFAO. This was EFAO’s horticulture site and Ken was developing no-till strategies for organic vegetables.

Insect Frass: An Emerging Fertilizer and Soil Amendment in Ontario & Worldwide
Insect frass is nutrient-rich, dry insect excrement that is emerging as an alternative fertilizer and soil amendment in Canada and internationally. It is the primary coproduct from the growing insect agriculture industry with supporting research demonstrating its utility to improve crop performance, yields, and soil health. In this session, attendees will learn about four key aspects of insect frass:
1. The significance of insect agriculture for food security and the circular economy;
2. Why frass is an interesting fertilizer and soil amendment;
3. Research studies demonstrating how frass can help boost crop performance; and
4. How to access frass for the 2023 season.
This session will include a 20-30 minute presentation with 20-30 minutes for discussion and Q&A. Please feel free to write to Kels with any questions in advance at kelsey.jensen@aspirefg.com.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKER:
Kels is an Environmental Scientist leading Aspire’s Frass R&D initiatives with an approach that is rooted in authentic collaborations, strategic planning, and scientific rigour. In leading these interdisciplinary efforts in the frass space, she plays a small – but “contagiously passionate!” – part in the global movement towards regenerating the strength and resilience of our planet & soils, growing more nutritious food to feed the world, and transitioning to a true circular economy.
She has fifteen years of experience working in corporate sustainability, environmental stewardship, and organic horticulture, with the last five years focused on the research and commercialization of cricket frass. Kels studied at Queen’s University, earning a BScH in Environmental Science; obtained a certificate in project management from York Schulich School of Business; and has training and certificates in LEAN business, SME management, marketing, and communications. She’s also completed Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Living Soil Foodweb Courses, the Canadian Compost Council’s Compost Facility Operator Training Course, and a Sustainable Medicinal Cannabis Production Managers Mastercourse.

Growing Edible Organic Beans
Join Ben Cullen, owner of Canada’s only Canadian grown organic canned beans company, Cullen’s foods, and a Panel of Farmers and experts on the challenges, and opportunities of growing organic edible beans. From farmers looking to hone their techniques to farmers looking into diversifying with organic edible beans this panel is informative and educational for all levels of experience with organic edible beans.
LOCATION: UC 442
SPONSOR: Cullen’s Foods
SPEAKERS:
Ben Cullen is the Founder of Cullen’s Foods, an organic food company that promotes Canadian organics by working directly with Canadian farmers and offering full traceability from the consumer to the farm. Ben shares a weekly column in the Toronto Star with his dad Mark Cullen, where they write about a range of environmental topics from gardening to agriculture, and recently co-authored a book together, Escape to Reality: how the world is changing gardening, and gardening is changing the world. Ben holds a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. Ben believes in the potential of organic agriculture to address the dual climate and biodiversity crises while feeding the world.
Ben is also the President of the Organic Council of Ontario.
Mary–Howell Martens and her family farm 2000 acres of certified organic grain, forage and dairy in upstate New York. They have been certified organic since 1992. Additionally, she owns and operates Lakeview Organic Grain, an organic seed and animal feed operation serving dairy, poultry and vegetable farmers throughout the Northeast. She served on the USDA Advisory Committee for Agricultural Biotechnology, the Cornell University Dean’s Advisory committee, and the NOFA-NY Board of Directors. In earlier years, she worked in the grape breeding program at Cornell University and taught biology and plant physiology at Finger Lakes Community College. She has a BS in Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University, and a MS in Plant Breeding/Vegetable Crops from Cornell University. She also loves to bake with home-grown, home-ground grains!
Phil Oegema is an organic farmer in St. Thomas Ontario. Him and his father grow corn, soybeans, wheat, spelt, and dry edible beans for the organic market. They started transitioning their farm to organic in 2013 after a long history of conventional crop farming. They are now fully certified on all of their 1100 acres.
Andrew St Jean is an organic farmer from St Mary’s, Ontario and the organic manager for a local elevator dealing exclusively in organic grains.
Klaas Martens grew up farming intensively with chemicals; now he and his wife Mary-Howell are organic devotees operating a thriving farm and grain mill helping boost the regional economy in upstate New York.
Tyler Robertson is a 6th generation farmer outside Ridgetown, Ontario. As the youngest among Cullen’s growers, Tyler is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph with an innovative approach to farming – including home-built equipment to deal with the constant weed pressure of organic farming.
Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada focused on the development of sustainable, economical, environmentally safe weed management strategies using integrated weed management principles in field and horticultural crops
Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada focused on dry bean disease screening and development of germplasm with disease resistance and emerging threats for Ontario dry beans

Organic Science Impact – Part 1: Uptake and Success Stories
This panel discussion focusing on success stories about how organic science has led to adoption and impact. OACC is evaluating the impact of the organic science research that has been happening across Canada over the past 10 years. The goal is to demonstrate and communicate how research has translated into impacts. There will be presentations by;
- Dr. Andrew Hammermeister on research work happening in the Organic Science Cluster
- Dr. Emmanuella Ellis on research impact assessment process and factors influencing impact
- Invited speakers (3 to 4) who will share success stories about new organic practices being developed and adopted.
The invited guests will be made up of stakeholders in the organic industry specifically, producers, researchers and industry representatives. The audience will then be given some time to ask questions and provide comments.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPEAKERS:
Panel Chair: April Stainsby
Andrew Hammermeister – Introduction to the Organic Science Cluster
Liette Vasseur – Brock University – Cover cropping in organic vineyards
Aabir Dey – SeedChange – Participatory vegetable breeding
Kim Schneider – University of Guelph – Potential of struvite as a phosphorus source in organic agriculture.
Dr. Andrew Hammermeister is the Director of the OACC and Science Director of Canada’s Organic Science Cluster. He has been leading national organic science priority setting and Cluster proposal technical development since 2008.
Dr. Emmanuella Ellis is a research Associate with the OACC. Her work has focused on studying the impact of organic science on stakeholders.
Ontario Organic Farmers Co-operative Meet & Greet
Join us between 5:00 – 6:00 in Room UC 334

Guelph Organic Social
Join the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) for our annual Guelph Organic Social in the midst of the exciting Guelph Organic Conference. We look forward to another evening of socializing and celebrating organic together. We thank EcoCert for your sponsorship of this event!
TIME: Sat, 28 January 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
PLACE: The Bullring 107 Trent Ln Guelph, ON N1G 1Y4
Come join your fellow industry and organic supporters for snacks, drinks and good company!
$20 plus tax early bird price (until January 13th 11:59 PM EST)
$25 plus tax regular price (January 13-January 27)
$30 plus tax at the Guelph Organic Conference trade show at COTA’s Booth 29 or at the door on Saturday, January 28th
Your first featured beverage is on us and there will be yummy appetizers to nibble on!
FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Yes – guests must be 19 years of age with a valid ID.
Where is the event happening?
The event takes place on the University of Guelph Campus. The Bullring is a separate building from where the main conference is happening. Check the signs on campus. Doors open at 7pm.
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
Sunday, January 29th, 2023

Glyphosate in agriculture: health science, pesticide regulation, and organic knowledge to support Canada’s international leadership
Organic growers risk losing some of their production to pests, but pesticide contamination risks the status of some or all of their enterprise. Glyphosate is a common problem. An accessible overview of the chemistry, ecology and human health effects of glyphosate-based herbicides will be followed by a brief overview of present regulatory and legal challenges related to Canada’s, and indeed the world’s, most-used pesticide. In December 2022 in Montreal, at COP15, Canada joined an international consensus on pollution prevention and reduction – Convention on Biological Diversity Target 7. This includes cutting risks from pesticides by half, by 2030. The presentation will lay groundwork for a discussion of: – potential roles for the PMRA to support organic agriculture; and – how Canada can cut in half the risk from pesticides by 2030.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKER:
Meg Sears PhD is a scientist leading the national group Prevent Cancer Now, working to make “least-toxic” the norm. She champions healthiest choices by individuals, and by governments on behalf of the public. Meg brings over two decades of scientific, policy and public health engagement on pesticides to a discussion of Canada’s “pesticide management.” This includes reducing the pesticides portfolio and use, and the need for more effective, healthier practices to prevent and manage pests as achieved with organic practices.

Introduction to Organic Beekeeping
During this workshop, Luc will discuss his transition from Industrial to Organic beekeeping practices. You will learn about the role of workers, drones, and queen bees in the honeybee colony. Luc will discuss the tools, time, and costs required for beekeeping, Ontario beekeeping regulations, including the Ontario Bees Act and the Apiary Inspection program, and best practices for Organic beekeeping methods. You’ll also learn about the yearly cycle of a honeybee colony, the responsibilities of a beekeeper over the course of a season, and the major problems facing honeybees in the industry today. In particular, you’ll learn about the major pests, diseases, and problems affecting honeybee health – and how to treat them. Finally, there will be time to ask questions and discuss best practices in beekeeping today.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPONSOR: In partnership with HumbleBee
SPEAKER:
Humble Bee Inc was founded by Luc Peters in 2013. They are primarily urban beekeepers, managing hundreds of hives at over 30 locations in the greater Hamilton area, including the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton Port Authority, McMaster University and roof top hives at the Cotton Factory. In addition to their Hamilton business, Humble Bee also manages hives for the Toronto Beekeeper’s Collective at the Fairmont Royal York, Ontario Science Centre, Black Creek Community Farm, and Downsview Federal Park. Humble Bee’s philosophy is to put the needs of the bees first, with the understanding that maintaining healthy, thriving colonies is in the best interests of both the bees and the beekeeper. Our colonies are managed without the use of antibiotics or synthetic miticides, and they select for gentle, disease-resistant and hygienic stock.

Alternative Ways to Access Land
Learn about a variety of practical ways to address the barrier of Land Access. Sophie Clark of Trout Lily Nursery will share lessons learned and best practices from her experience leasing Land. Ginelle Skerritt of Adinkra Farm will share her expertise on traditional Susu savings associations as a way to get land for Black farmers. Following the panelist’s presentations there will be a Q and A with the audience so bring your questions!
LOCATION: Peter Clark Hall North
SPEAKERS:
Sophie Clark has been with Trout Lily since 2015, first as assistant manager and then taking the leap at age 24 to become owner and operator. Her interest in helping farmers find suitable and fair land access comes from her own experiences of negotiating contracts for the business sale and land rental when Trout Lily’s ownership transitioned, as well as having the all-too-common experience of exploitation on some farms early in her farming days. Sophie has seen situations for land use crumble to leave farming pals in stressful spots, and she’s also seen some great successes. Her hope for this panel is to encourage folks seeking land, and those leasing land, to create detailed and formal documents to clarify terms of any agreement and safeguard all parties against harm. A good faith handshake is great until it isn’t!
Ginelle Skerrit is the Programme Director at Adinkra farm, as well as a senior leader, international public speaker, moderator, facilitator, trainer and coach with a broad range of experiences including administration, social enterprise development, fundraising, youth development, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion training, organizational development, communications and economic inclusion. Her current focus is on promoting community safety, policing reform, Food Sovereignty and African Indigenous Knowledge. Her current focus is on promoting community safety, policing reform, Food Sovereignty and African Indigenous Knowledge.

Regenerating your soil
The Glen Road Organics presents a workshop focused on educating all growers on the advantages of growing biologically. We teach how using The Soil Food Web increases your soil health and productivity. With the use of previous success stories with farmers and our own growing experience we aim to show how biological growing increases production and decreases costs in agricultural soils, market gardens and in greenhouse settings. The workshop will include a brief introduction into The Soil Food Web and composting, followed by success stories from clients and how we implement biological strategies in our own farm as well.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: The Glen Road Organics
SPEAKERS:
John is a Holistic Soil Consultant, teaching people how to heal their soil. John has studied with Dr. Elaine Ingham of The Soil Foodweb Inc at Rodale Institute, and the University of Guelph. He believes that you should feed your soil so your plants will feed themselves. Also that “there should be a microscope on every farm!” (Dr. Elaine Ingham). John has practiced sustainable land use over the last 40 years in erosion control, bio remediation, landscape design, construction, project management and organic farming.
As operations manager of The Glen Road Organics and The Glen Road Natural Landscapes for 20+ years John takes great pride in producing bio-diverse compost and potting mixes, and teaching organic farming and gardening practices. The farm is a leader in teaching and producing thermal compost, organic regenerative farming practices and in building healthy, resilient biologically diverse soils.
Nicole grew up on a conventional farm in Southwestern Ontario. She has since graduated University of Toronto with Honours Bachelor of Science and a diploma from Durham College. Since then she has taken interest in regenerative agriculture practices and organic food production.
At The Glen Road Organics Nicole manages the market garden plot as well as works making compost and potting mix.
Nicole is currently working towards becoming a certified soil consultant.

Circular Economy Food Solutions from Across Canada
A circular economy promotes three simple principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. This minimizes impact on the environment, reduces demand for virgin resources, and maximizes the value of resources and product life. It also represents a potentially powerful economic strategy to capture value from the $49 billion worth of value of food—from farm to fork—lost or wasted every year in Canada. This session will introduce how circular economy principles are being applied in agriculture, fishing/aquaculture and food sectors, drawing from innovative examples from across the country.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPEAKER:
Stephanie Cairns: Stephanie Cairns, M.Sc., is the 2022-23 Kinross Chair in Environmental Governance, a knowledge exchange chair at the University of Guelph. She has singular breadth from working on circular economy, climate and clean energy, natural capital, and ecological restoration, alongside depth and perspective developed over three decades with leading NGOs, policy institutes, expert panels, and advising political leaders. She served on the 2021 Council of Canadian Academies’ Expert Panel on Circular Economy, and led the circular economy program of Smart Prosperity Institute from 2017 to 2021. She usually lives in Coast Salish territory in British Columbia, where she is actively engaged in protecting, stewarding and restoring Gulf Island ecosystems.

Indigenous knowledge for a changing climate – A meditation on remembering what it means to be a human.
How do you interact with the earth? She is listening… In this presentation Mkomose shares his personal experiences utilizing traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to add richness and beauty to interactions with the natural world. Opening our hearts and minds to the mysteries of creation is a reminder that as human beings we have many responsibilities. Together, with support from our relatives, under the guidance of the Ancestors, our relationship with our mother earth can be renewed, and we can thrive again. Learn ways to immediately apply Indigenous strategies for project developments and a sustainable future.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKER:
Mkomose (Dr. Andrew Judge) is an Assistant Professor of Anishinaabe Studies at Algoma University. He has lectured at Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, The University of Waterloo, and coordinated Indigenous Studies at Conestoga College, where he established a network of Indigenous leaders to restore land. Mkomose specializes in Anishinaabe cultural knowledge, ethnomedicine, and land-based learning. Mkomose has learned from, worked and consulted with, and served Indigenous Elders and community leaders for over a decade. He has founded several community-led Indigenous knowledge-based programs at elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels and works tirelessly to promote Indigenous land-based sustainability practices.

Towards Resilient Bees in a Time of Climate Emergency
Climate Change, more accurately labelled Climate Emergency, is already having a profound effect world wide on both honey bee and native bee populations. Our reliance on bees as pollinators of many food crops, and their position as keystone species in ecological pyramids, requires that we respond with our best efforts to support them. This presentation does not promise to fix the problem but to identify some of the major, and some of the subtler, ways in which Climate Change is creating havoc for bees and to propose some first steps in mitigation using best practices from organic, ecological, biodynamic and permaculure approaches.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPEAKER:
Fran Freeman studied Apiculture and Sustainable Urban Agriculutre at University of Guelph, has taken numerous beekeeping workshops, and completed her Permaculture Design certificate ten years ago. She has managed or co-managed a number of small scale apiaries using organic/ecological practices in a variety of rural and urban settings since 2005. Currently, She runs bee yards at two Humber College campuses as well as the Humber Arboretum, all in Toronto. She developed and teaches a 45-hour Sustainable Urban Beekeeping course at the Centre for Urban Ecology at Humber. She is a returning speaker at GOC. Additional speaking engagements include: Apimondia International Congress (Montreal, 2019), the Eastern Apicultural Society Conference (Guelph, 2015), the Green Living Show (Toronto, 2015) and the Urban Agriculture Summer School (UQAM, Montreal, 2014).

NFUO Series – Who Will Feed Us: Meet the Podcast Co-hosts
In 2022, a group of young farmers launched “Who Will Feed Us,” a popular podcast exploring the forces that shape Canadian agriculture and the solutions needed to build a more just and ecological food system. Over the course of nine episodes the co-hosts invited guests to delve into such issues as the corporatization of food and policy, land access and the financialization of land, migrant worker solidarity, the climate crisis and farming, the true cost of food and fair wages, rematriating seeds and decolonizing food systems, and embracing agroecological solutions. In this Guelph Organic Conference panel, podcast co-hosts will talk about the core issues underpinning “Who Will Feed Us,” and what farmers can do and are doing to challenge a food system that “serves no one a healthy meal”.
LOCATION: Peter Clark Hall North
SPEAKERS:
Aliyah is the owner and operator of Lucky Bug Farm, a one quarter acre market garden located on leased land just outside of Kitchener, Ontario. In her second season, Aliyah grew a variety of vegetables and herbs for a 30+ person CSA utilizing minimal tillage, ample compost and other, ecologically friendly growing practices. Though she is now a farmer, Aliyah graduated from the University of Waterloo with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies in 2019 and worked briefly as an Urban Planner before becoming immersed in farming. She lives in Kitchener with her partner Thomas and her cat Frankie.
Raised just outside of Kingston, Ontario Stuart grew up in a non-farming family. After an accidental season spent working on organic farms in Ireland, as a member of WWOOF, he turned to farming full time in 2009. Since then, Stuart has farmed throughout Ontario and in Quebec. He has had the privilege of learning from and apprenticing under some truly inspirational and professional farmers over the years. In 2017 he co-founded Rooted Oak Farm, a vegetable and cut flower farm serving the Ottawa and Kingston area. Stuart is a proud member of the National Farmers Union and has worked as an organizer at the grassroots, provincial and national level of the organization. He served as the National NFU Youth President for three years. He is the current Vice-President of Canadian Organic Growers and is a passionate advocate of ecological and organic production. He chairs the NFU Climate Committee and works in various capacities for the farmer coalition Farmers for Climate Solutions. In the winter months and when not otherwise working you can hear him on the Who Will Feed Us Podcast where he is a producer and co-host.

Making the Business Case for Soil Health
What is the business case for soil health practices? Regenerating soil ecosystems often pays dividends for both organic and conventional farmers. Hear advice and experiences from farmers Ken Laing and Jamie Richards as well as the findings of a new report, “Towards a Business Case for Soil Health: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge on the Economics of Soil Health Practices in Ontario”, from the Greenbelt Foundation and researchers at the University of
Guelph. Find out what we know and don’t know currently about the economics of soil health on farms in Southern Ontario to aid decision-making by farmers. Using current research data and representative farm-level financial
models, the study determines a range of net returns from the adoption of different soil health practices, including tillage intensity, cover crops, diverse crop rotations, organic amendments, and rotational grazing. Incentives to
support these practices are also discussed. Join two of the report authors, Dr. Aaron De Laporte and Paul Smith, along with organic farmers Ken Laing and Jamie Richards to hear about their experiences with the costs and benefits
of soil health practices.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPEAKERS:
Paul Smith is a sustainable agriculture consultant engaged with the Greenbelt Foundation and lives in Guelph with his family. Paul worked for the Ontario government for 30 years at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and other ministries. He worked on a variety of agri-environmental topics including soil health, nutrient management, the Environmental Farm Plan, Federal-Provincial agricultural programs, and on-farm biodiversity. He holds degrees from the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo and is currently on the board of the Ontario Soil Network.
Jamie Richards has managed Am Braigh Farm, a year-round market garden for the last 27 years. Inspired by the work of Eliot Coleman, he offers a range of vegetables year-round using minimal heat, relying on season extension techniques. Although using complex rotations and lots of compost, he has come to the realization that his on-farm sources of fertility are not adequate and his level of soil disturbance was not creating long term soil health. Now utilizing a range of regenerative practices, he has seen a dramatic improvement in soil structure, yields, and resilience to drought and rain events. The farm generated fertility is now showing significant economic returns.
Dr. Aaron De Laporte is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on the economic and environmental effects of beneficial management practice adoption. He employs financial and economic analysis tools that integrate biophysical and spatial modeling. He has examined soil health, wetland conservation, bioenergy, nitrogen management and other practices in Canada and the United States. He is the co-author of 15 academic publications, along with numerous reports, including assessments of soil health and greenhouse gas mitigating practices with the Greenbelt Foundation and Farmers for Climate Solutions.
Ken Laing farms with his wife Martha and daughter Ellen at Orchard Hill Farm near St. Thomas, Ontario. Ken has a degree in Horticulture from the University of Guelph. In his 40+ years of farming he has grown a wide variety of field crops, small fruit and vegetables organically. For the last 3 years his farm has been a Living-Labs site for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and EFAO. This was EFAO’s horticulture site and Ken was developing no-till strategies for organic vegetables.

NFUO Series – Flower Power: Sustainable Floriculture is a Blooming Business
This panel will explore the colourful explosion of local, sustainable flower production, novel co-operative marketing methods, and value-added operations that are disrupting the environmentally-disastrous globalized floral supply chains. If you are thinking about adding colour to our communities, contributing to a green economy, and starting your own blooming business, this panel is for you!
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPONSOR: NFUO
SPEAKERS:
Krista Long is a passionate advocate for family farms, farmland protection, ecologically viable farming practices, and local, equitable food systems. She has over 20 years experience in the not-for-profit sector with a variety of organizations including the Canadian Organic Growers, the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable, and the Ontario Farmland Trust. She brings her experience in fundraising, policy, research, and program development to her role at the NFU-O.
Theresa manages Garden Party – a 4 acre cut flower farm outside of Kitchener Waterloo. Before switching to specialty cut flowers in 2012, Theresa operated a certified organic CSA. She switched as a retirement project, but unknowingly found herself in the rapid escalation of the ‘field to vase’ movement in North America. She has sold flowers in multiple channels including: CSA/subscriptions, farmgate, farmers’ markets, weddings/events, wholesale to designers & food hubs, and cut-your-own. In 2023, she is beginning (finally) her retirement and is focusing on selling wholesale to designers and selling specialty cut flower plugs (small plants) to other flower farmers.
Organic Retailer Meet and Greet
Join Canadian Organic Growers for an organic retailer and producer meet and greet! The event will take place Sunday January 29th from 12-1 pm over lunch in the Peter Clark Hall Lounge Area of the trade show in University Centre (University of Guelph).
This will be an excellent opportunity for organic producers to have direct networking opportunities with organic retailers. Bring your business cards and let’s connect on organic!
Your ad could go here. Contact communications@organiccouncil.ca for details.
Your ad could go here. Contact communications@organiccouncil.ca for details.

Labels, Labels, Labels, Promoting Ontario Organics in the face of a Crowded Playing Field
Organic has been challenged in keeping up with the dietary needs of the market place. For example, with demand for gluten free product rapidly rising, health product retailers often cannot access gluten free certified organic product. Filling the shelves with these non certified alternatives is a missed market opportunity for the organic sector and detrimental for the consumer seeking health. Consumers mistakenly assume natural health food stores supply beneficial product whether certified or not. It behooves the consumer to be not only aware, but to step up and help the organic sector grow in meaningful ways, for it is their dollars supporting the non certified alternatives in their search for health. There is much to be learned about these changes in the market place. Join this session to discuss the issues and find out what the Ontario Organic Council has planned to build a stronger presence for Ontario Organics.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKERS:
Kelly is OCOs Communications and Membership Manager. She is a communications and marketing professional with a formal education in graphic arts and brand development. She holds a diverse portfolio including many iconic Canadian brands. Her campaign development experience has given her the opportunity to develop culinary tasting events showcasing local chefs and produce. As the former Executive Director of a national not-for-profit, she was tasked with building the movement for proportional representation in Canada. She also comes from a long line of family farmers. When not working as a communications professional, she and her partner run a regenerative, rotational grazing, farm-to-fork business serving the GTA.
Aaron is the father of three, husband of one, and an aspiring amateur weekend athlete. He is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working within the natural, organic, and wellness industry for over 18 years. Aaron has led the health divisions for both food and non-food at Canada’s largest grocery retailer (Loblaw Companies), as well as co-founded Canada’s 16th fastest growing company, GreenSpace Brands (2018 Maclean’s Growth 500).
Aaron is passionate about improving the health and well-being of Canadians through the support and activation of people, products, and organizations in the health and wellness industry.
Kate is a certified nutritionist and healthy food systems advocate. For 10 years her work at The Big Carrot has focused on championing organic agriculture, building better food literacy, and fostering creative partnerships in the community.
The Big Carrot is a worker-owned natural food market that has been committed to local, organic, non-GMO and sustainable food systems since 1983. Growing from 9 founding partners to a thriving worker-owned business, The Big Carrot is run in the same democratic manner as when it first opened. Its approach to health includes creating and protecting sustainable, robust food systems and facilitating community innovation. Each year The Big Carrot funds two grant streams: Carrot Cache and Natures Finest Fund which support sustainable farming and equitable food systems in Ontario.

Full-season care for the small orchard
This workshop is for the farmer or homeowner keen to improve their skills in fruit tree care, whether they have one tree or a 1-acre orchard. I’ll discuss the key features of a management plan for the orchard year, highlighting how various organic practices integrate with each other throughout the year. Topics will include Integrated Pest Management (IPM), pruning, branch training, fruit thinning, understory management, and more. A significant portion of the workshop will be determined by the questions attendees have – there are opportunities to address questions of propagation, the best species for our area and their unique needs and challenges, rootstock choices, breeding, and so on.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPEAKER:
Matt Soltys is a fifth-generation Guelphite and a long-time community orchardist. Matt managed Ignatius Farm’s community orchard from 2019-2022, and in 2021 he founded his business, The Urban Orchardist, specializing in fruit tree consulting and pruning, and operates a diverse fruit & nut tree nursery. He completed a permaculture design certification in 2005, organized food security projects like the Guelph Fruit Tree Project throughout his 20s, and recently graduated from an interdisciplinary biology and philosophy degree at the University of Guelph. He lives with his family on a large urban property which he has turned into a diverse food forest with more than 25 species of fruit and nuts.

COTA Series: Upcoming Events and Opportunities with Canada Organic Trade Association
Join Kim DeLallo, COTA’s Membership and Business Development Manager, to learn about the initiatives that COTA is involved in and how you can get involved and benefit your organization. She will cover everything from COTA’s Organic Transition Program, business to business matchmaking services, the Organic Directory, trade and regulatory assistance as well as advocacy at federal and provincial levels.
LOCATION: Peter Clark Hall North
SPEAKER:
Kim De Lallo is the Member Relations & Business Development Manager for the Canadian Organic Trade Association.

EFAO Series – Growing Regionally Adapted Seed for your Farm or Market Garden
Join this discussion to learn how to achieve the best possible results to achieve high wuality, regionally adapted seed! We will explore best practices for on-farm and backyard seed saving, seed storage and how to achieve successful germination. The presenters will share successful methods, strategies, and tricks of the trade they have gathered through first-hand experience seed saving and working with farmers in the community. Whether you are running a farm business or are a backyard gardener, this session will help you optimize your seed care.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPONSOR: EFAO
SPEAKERS:
Aaron joined High Mowing Organic Seeds in the summer of 2020 as a Commercial Grower Sales Representative, working with farmers throughout Canada. He spent the previous decade managing organic farms in western Washington state. In addition to growing diversified vegetables, he’s grown seed crops on contract for High Mowing and other seed companies, has participated in variety trials on a regional and national level, and has developed his own breeding projects in addition to collaborating on breeding projects with industry and research partners.
Hanna Jacobs grew up on a horse farm just north of Toronto and spent much of her 20’s travelling throughout Europe and North America visiting various sustainable farms and alternative communities whose focus included renewable energy resources, co-operative living and local food delivery systems.
She attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, where she received certificates in both culinary and patisserie arts, allowing her to spend over a decade in restaurants and pastry shops.
In 2006 after the birth of her first child, she began Matchbox Garden & Seed Co. to provide reliable and safe food for her family and others in the community. A passion for feeding people quickly transformed from cooking meals to farming vegetables and herbs. Inspired by her first chef, Hanna‘s mantra in the kitchen and on the farm is always, “your meal is only as good as your raw ingredients”.
Matchbox Garden now resides in Haldimand County where Hanna focuses on seed production, soil health, and garden education. No till methods, celestial planting, and biodiversity are cornerstones for all the gardens. When Hanna isn’t farming or teaching others about it, she can be found teaching yoga or at her local Karate club.
In 2006, Paul Irwin and his wife fell in love with a 100-acre farm located outside of Rocklyn, Ontario. It reminded him of his Scottish heritage and a rallying point called Boars Rock for all of Clan McLaren to meet. So, they decided to call the farm Boars Rock to become a rallying point for their family’s agricultural future.
Not long after, Irwin purchased 5 bulbs of Music garlic from a local farm store with no idea on how to grow it. As all garlic farmers know, 5 grew into 30, and after a couple of years, they outgrew their little garden. Irwin started planting up to an acre from their original garlic seed. In a couple more years, they got their organic certificate from EcoCert and expanded to 50,000 acres. That was the year that disaster struck and they lost almost 90% of their seed stock and had to cancel a big contract of selling a large portion of the garlic.
What was left was about 10,000 cloves to plant and a tiny portion that Irwin’s wife, Lorraine asked if she could use to dehydrate and produce garlic powder. Irwin was not very supportive until he saw how fast she sold out of it at a farmers’ market. People wanted to know what was put into it and they both said nothing but pure music garlic. Those 10,000 cloves have now grown into 3 acres and over 120,000 garlic plants. They continuously grow their original seed stock and have expanded to produce some of the best garlic products available under the name of Pure Music Garlic by Boars Rock Farm. All of this was possible by replanting their clean seed stock that has adapted very well to their soil and environment.

Establishing a record-keeping system that enables effective decision-making
For 22-years I managed a $900,000 year-round market garden with 8-15 employees. For 10-years following this I have consulted with numerous market garden and orchard operations. One of my most beneficial practices has been to establish useful record-keeping that enables profitable decision-making. It all starts with an appropriate Chart of Accounts and Field Records. Analysis of this data quickly confirms the best decisions.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPEAKER:
David Cohlmeyer learned how to operate his organic market garden as a successful business. After retiring from the farm, he has been consulting with many producers to develop effective ways to increase income and reduce expenses – to have more time and money for enjoying a chosen lifestyle. Good record-keeping is the best tool for enabling this. David will share practices he has learned to simplify the process of recording farm activities; then using this information to optimize decision-making.

COG Series: Addressing the Gaps in the Domestic Organic Supply Chain
While many farmers transition to organic production, barriers to getting products to market remain a critical risk. Learn about the systemic, cultural, and sectoral barriers that persist in the Canadian organic supply chain and discover solutions that everyone can act on. This is the first time that findings from COG’s recently completed three year study on barriers and solutions to Canada’s organic supply chain will be shared publicly. Presented by Deirdre Laframboise — COG’s Executive Director — and Harry Cummings — Director at Harry Cummings & Associates.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 113
SPEAKERS:
Deirdre Laframboise is the Executive Director of Canadian Organic Growers. Her career has focused in the areas of sustainability and health in the not-for-profit sector. She co-founded and led the charity Clean Air Champions to international and national awards for its ground-breaking, curriculum-connected programming in air quality, climate change and health. She went on to lead two other national charities as Executive Director including the Canadian Climate Forum and the Canadian Water Resources Association. Deirdre also served as Director, Knowledge and Sector Development at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities where she led a team responsible for designing two national energy efficiency and affordable housing programs. She has served on several national science and research advisory and is a two-time certified trainee of The Climate Reality Project. Deirdre has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (minor in Biology) and a Master’s in Environmental Resources Management (minor in Business Administration). She was a member of a national sport team and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and being active outdoors.
Harry is the Director of Harry Cummings and Associates (HCA) which was established in 1997. Harry has a Masters and Ph.D. in Geography from Clark University in Massachusetts and a B.A. (HON) Geography from Western University in London, Ontario. He is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and Credentialed Evaluator. He speaks English, Indonesian and French fluently.

Managing Water in the Garden
Encouraged by many municipalities and regions, Fusion Gardening ® blends LID (rainwater handling) with xeriscaping (drought-tolerant gardening) and folds in plantings to enhance biodiversity. Learn about the backbones of these disciplines to landscape for water management, soil health and beauty.
LOCATION: Thornbrough 1200
SPEAKER:
Named by Landscape Ontario as 2020 and 2021’s Garden Communicator of the Year, gardening has been Sean James’ hobby and profession for almost 40 years. A graduate of Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, a Master Gardener, writer, and teacher, Sean focuses on eco-gardening techniques, which makes sense since he grew up surrounded by nature near Crawford Lake in Campbellville. He has spoken from the Maritimes to Seattle and landscaped from Nova Scotia to California. Sean has had the honour to be part of creating the new Ontario Landscape Tree Planting Guide, the Grow-Me-Me-Instead guide, the Ontario Horticultural Apprenticeship Curriculum and the national Red Seal Occupational Standard, and the Master Gardeners Reference Manual. He has participated in chairing the Environmental Stewardship Committee for Landscape Ontario, the Environmental Committee for the Perennial Plant Association, moderating the Master Gardeners of Ontario Facebook page, judging the All-American Selections garden competition and Hamilton’s Monarch Awards. He has been the Ontario spokesperson for Garden Days Canada, He has appeared on many radio shows and on television. Sean owns ‘Sean James Consulting & Design’ and instructs at Mohawk College.

Organic Science Impact: Uptake and Success Stories — Part II
This panel discussion focusing on success stories about how organic science has led to adoption and impact. OACC is evaluating the impact of the organic science research that has been happening across Canada over the past 10 years. The goal is to demonstrate and communicate how research has translated into impacts. There will be presentations by;
LOCATION: Peter Clark Hall North
SPEAKERS:
Panel Chair: April Stainsby
Andrew Hammermeister – Introduction to the Organic Science Cluster
Caroline Halde – Universite Laval – Soil health in organic field cropping systems in Quebec
Goretty Dias – University of Waterloo – Assessing the environmental performance of organic field crops
Dr. Andrew Hammermeister is the Director of the OACC and Science Director of Canada’s Organic Science Cluster. He has been leading national organic science priority setting and Cluster proposal technical development since 2008.
Dr. Emmanuella Ellis is a research Associate with the OACC. Her work has focused on studying the impact of organic science on stakeholders.

Understanding Soil Microbes and their Role in Healthy Soil.
A key role in developing healthy soil is to create strong soil biology by taking advantage of the soil food web. This seminar will look at the life of microbes so you understand the conditions they need to prosper. We’ll look at ways to measure the soil microbes to understand your current soil health and then we’ll look at various methods for increasing their population. We’ll examine some common concepts like the fungal-bacterial ratio, compost tea, commercial microbe products and the effect of tilling.
LOCATION: Alexander Hall 100
SPONSOR: New Society Publishers
SPEAKER:
Robert Pavlis is a chemist, biochemist and longtime gardener who frequently lectures on soil, plant science and composting. He is also the author of several books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Microbe Science for Gardeners.

Making Organics Accessible: Exploring Organic Values and Food Sovereignty
A social system that fails to support equitable access to healthy food often leads to disdain for organic as “elitist” and not useful. Yet organic has often led the way in improving access to nutritious good food and gardens. Join Taylor Stanley of MadeGood, Markus Pfenning of Pfennings and Kate McMurray of The Big Carrot as they explore organics, accessibility and the challenges and opportunities with Organic values of health, fair labour, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility.
LOCATION: MacNaughton 105
SPONSOR: Pfenning’s
SPEAKERS:
Taylor Stanley brings with him a diverse background in international business development, where he has always maintained a focus on sustainability. After completing his B-Comm undergrad, Taylor realized his passion for travel and combined that with post-graduate studies in International Development Management. Taylor has worked in Canada, Australia, Mexico, and most recently China before returning to his hometown of Oakville in early 2020. Today, Taylor leads Riverside Natural Foods’ sustainability efforts in collaboration with the many sustainability champions across the organization. Current initiatives Taylor is focused on include developing internal communication & governance systems to embed Riverside’s Sustainability Strategy, leading the development of the organizations Product Life Cycle Assessment initiative, and supporting Scope 3 Value Chain Emissions measurements and future reduction strategies.
Markus Pfenning grew up on Pfenning’s Organic Vegetable farm in New Hamburg, which was founded by his grandparents Wilhelm & Barnhild Pfenning in 1981. After a few years away from the farm, he has returned to work alongside his family. This means he can work on what he values most – growing nutritious, delicious, and safe food! And to do so in a way that honours not only the environment (now and in the future), but also the people that grow it. He is involved in just about every aspect of the farm business: crop planning, managing plant health, making deliveries to customers, preparing for inspections, ensuring traceability records are in good order, and tracking sales.
Kate is a certified nutritionist and healthy food systems advocate. For 10 years her work at The Big Carrot has focused on championing organic agriculture, building better food literacy, and fostering creative partnerships in the community. The Big Carrot is a worker-owned natural food market that has been committed to local, organic, non-GMO and sustainable food systems since 1983. Growing from 9 founding partners to a thriving worker-owned business, The Big Carrot is run in the same democratic manner as when it first opened. Its approach to health includes creating and protecting sustainable, robust food systems and facilitating community innovation. Each year The Big Carrot funds two grant streams: Carrot Cache and Natures Finest Fund which support sustainable farming and equitable food systems in Ontario.