Our Nature is Organic
Farmers Know Best Do-It-Yourself Research
Soybean Production
FAL L 2 0 1 3 MAGAZINE .C O G .C A
Tillage & Appropriate Machinery
The
Canadian Organic Grower
D EPARTMENTS
F EATURES
Editor’s Corner ..................... 4 A note from Beth
In the field .................................................................... 6
In Memoriam ........................ 15
COG Donation Form ............ 20 Classifieds ........................... 29 The Last Word ..................... 30 The angst of the ‘Wifelady’
Farmer perspectives on growing soybeans organically are outlined in a series of interviews by Rebeca Kuropatwa.
Manitoba’s first century organic farm celebrates ..... 11 Janine Gibson reports on a day of celebration in Manitoba.
The greatest story never told ..................................... 12 Jane Rabinowicz talks about building seed security in Canada.
DIY research: why farmers know best ...................... 16 Av Singh explores new inventions, innovations and novel ideas generated by farmers in the Maritimes.
Minimum tillage and appropriate machinery for the micro-farm ...................................................... 22 Contributors: Jean-Martin Fortier, Janine Gibson, Rebeca Kuropatwa, Jordan Marr, Jane Rabinowicz, Av Singh
Excerpt from Jean-Martin Fortier’s newly translated book The Market Gardener: A handbook for successful small-scale organic farming.
Visit the new
Canadian Organic Grower website and share with your organic farmer networks: magazine.cog.ca
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Our Nature is Organic
Fall 2013 – 3
The
Canadian Organic Grower Co-Editors Beth McMahon / Lily Pepper editor@cog.ca Advisory Committee Roxanne Beavers, Matthew Holmes, Anne Macey, Stuart McMillan, Gwen O’Reilly, Av Singh, Elizabeth White Advertising contact COG office (see address below) or ads@cog.ca Subscriptions / COG Membership www.cog.ca Production Karyn Wright, Foxboro, Ontario The Canadian Organic Grower is published by: Canadian Organic Growers (COG) 1145 Carling Ave, Suite 7519, Ottawa ON K1Z 7K4 T: 613-216-0741 1-888-375-7383 F: 613-236-0743 office@cog.ca www.cog.ca COG Board of Directors: Daniel Brisebois, Sarah Dobec, Rochelle Eisen, Janine Gibson, Geneviève Grossenbacher, Sheila Hamilton, Jordan Marr, Tony Marshall, Beth McMahon, Elizabeth Nelson, Tegan Renner, Vlad Skotar The editor cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of COG. Editorial content may not be reproduced without permission. ©
Canadian Organic Growers, Inc. ISSN 1710-761X The Canadian Organic Grower Publications Mail #4076 8546
EDITOR’S CORNER A note from Beth Since joining The Canadian Organic Grower magazine’s editorial committee a decade ago, I have learned so much from the experience. First, I am awed by the passion and knowledge of organic growers across Canada. Sometimes, I wonder what is left to write about in TCOG, only to be overwhelmed by the number of new (and sometimes very old) ideas that appear in my inbox. I truly feel that farmers know best and believe this magazine and its new website (magazine.cog.ca) are the best showcase of this collective knowledge in Canada. Secondly, I give my thanks to TCOG’s editorial committee. This magazine wouldn’t be the same without them. These dedicated individuals from across the country have such a depth of experience and knowledge, I am humbled. As a volunteer-led publication, countless hours go into its development. Since becoming the volunteer editor last year, I have felt guilt that I can’t commit as much time to the magazine as it deserves and owes its readership, contributors and editorial committee. I also believe that ‘many hands make
light work’, and with that, reached out to find a new co-editor to work with me on the magazine. I am so pleased to announce that Lily Pepper has agreed to take on this new role with the magazine. Lily has proven to be an excellent copy editor for the magazine over the last year. Like me, Lily is located in Ottawa, and I believe the opportunity to work in person will also have tremendous benefits for TCOG.
I want to thank each one of you reading this and supporting COG and its magazine. As I write this on Thanksgiving weekend, I want to thank each one of you reading this and supporting COG and its magazine. Your financial support makes this unique magazine possible. Like most environmental charities in Canada, funding remains a challenge, so I just want to say thank you for making COG one of your priorities. COG has also launched a new monthly giving program, and I would also encourage you
Cost per issue: $9.00 Volume 10, Number 3 Fall 2013
Cover photo credit: Laura Telford Cover design: Irene Hawkings. The quilt on the cover was commissioned by Sue Black to commemorate her family’s century organic farm in Manitoba The award-winning fibre artist, Judy Morningstar, GoodslandManitoba, designed and quilted this 54” x 30” masterpiece. 4 – Fall 2013
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to consider signing up (more details on page 20) to help the organization—and magazine—in developing a reliable funding base. As author and futurist Joel Barker states: Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. I would like to think that COG and our magazine embodies the change we all seek. With appreciation, Beth McMahon Welcome to TCOG’s new CoEditor: Lily Pepper I am very pleased to be joining The Canadian Organic Grower as a coeditor. I’ve assisted with copy-editing the magazine for the past year and a half and have enjoyed reading all the first-hand accounts
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Get Involved with COG Today! • Volunteer Lily Pepper joins The Canadian Organic Grower team. from the frontiers of Canadian organic farming. My interest in farming and gardening comes from growing up in rural Eastern Ontario, and from WWOOFing and interning on small farms throughout North America. I’m glad to be able to combine my interest in farming with my passion for helping writers get their ideas out in a clear, accessible way. Lily Pepper
Our Nature is Organic
• Join a committee • Donate As Canada’s only national organic charity, COG is the voice for organics in Canada. Your support is essential to ensure we can continue our valuable charitable work. Visit www.cog.ca or contact office@cog.ca to find out how to get more involved.
Fall 2013 – 5
IN THE FIELD FARMER PERSPECTIVES ON GROWING SOY ORGANICALLY By Rebeca Kuropatwa
What follows are interviews with three farmers from three different regions of Canada who are successfully growing soy for market using organic methodology.
M
ark Bernard, President of Barnyard Organics Ltd. in Freetown, PEI, grows food-grade soybean for the feed market with good yields and the option to sell in the food market. Bernard grew up on a third generation farm. His father sold the dairy side of the operation when Bernard was young, focusing instead on growing conventional seed and table stock potatoes. When the potato market took a downturn, around the year 2000, Bernard returned to the farm after earning a business diploma at Holland College. When the family opted to rent the land to neighbouring potato farmers, Bernard resumed his studies at a different college, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, taking Agricultural Business/Plant Science and a Certificate in Organic Agriculture. After completing his studies, Bernard took the business plan he developed back to the farm, based on the organic livestock industry and its growing need for more livestock grain and protein growers. “At the time, people began talking about starting an organic dairy on PEI and the fact that the transitioning farmers wouldn’t have enough land for their feed requirements,” said Bernard.
Bernard purchased a [soybean] roaster to be independent from any GMO product streams. “The organic dairy did come to be. We sold some of our product and custom-roasted [soy] for farmers, but the organic dairy is no longer on PEI. Next, a farrow-to-finish organic hog farm set up shop and we sold almost all our grain to him for three years. 6 – Fall 2013
Mark Bernard of Barnyard Organics in P.E.I. grows his soybeans in 18 inch cultivated rows, well controlling any weeds. But he couldn’t continue, leading to us setting up our own feed mill on the farm. “We saw an opportunity not being filled. We purchased a roaster to be independent from any GMO product streams and set up grain cleaners to clean our own grain and custom-clean other grain.” Recently, Bernard’s operation became CFIAcertified for making customer formula livestock feed, increasing sales and leading to the possibility of a floor stock product. Although he has the feed option, he is keeping the door open for selling his clear hilum soybean to food markets. Today, the certified organic farm is 500+ acres of land owned and 60 acres of land rented (30 in New Brunswick and 30 in PEI). Bernard works the farm with his wife, Sally, and father, Wendell. The Bernards also have four young children who like to help out. In the last couple of years, Bernard has been buying a lot of beans to roast and sell, but now he is
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selling some of the beans to brokers for Ontario food markets. “I test all loads entering the farm with litmus paper to make sure there is no GMO contamination,” said Bernard. “Protein is sometimes challenging to get into the food markets, as is bean staining from mud tagging (dust sticking to damp beans) or from weeds (which turns the beans a touch green).” Focusing on balancing his organic production and soil fertility, Bernard adheres to a strict fiveyear rotation starting with two years of clover—the first of which has an oat underseed—followed by wheat, soybean, barley, or barley/field pea mix and oat underseeded.
Bernard’s main challenge is weeds. The soybeans are grown in 18 inch cultivated rows, well controlling any weeds. “I’ve had little-tono problem with diseases and marketing locally is never a challenge,” said Bernard. “Cross pollination isn’t an issue, but contamination is”. “My main challenge is weeds. We’re on top of the issue now, but some fields we transitioned too quickly, which hurt us for a long time. We should have taken our time. The benefits are worth it.” Now he starts with a stale seedbed that is created with a set of spine harrows, and followed with a finger weeder and a cultivator. While in school at NSAC, Bernard worked with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada as a summer student technician, while also transitioning his farmland. “A www.cog.ca
lot of the focus then was on grain and soybean crops, variety, row spacing, rotation and fertility, to name a few,” said Bernard. “I’ve since committed to having a small part of the farm as a research space to answer a question or test a theory. Last year we partnered with PEI Certified Organic Producers Co-operative, putting a food-grade variety trial on our land to assess yield and quality. This work is continuing this year with an added fertility component.” “We’ll also be revisiting a rotation theory from the Rodale Institute with the crop roller and no-till planting soybean into fall rye stubble. We tried it before, but found the flowering date of the fall rye too late to plant a crop of soybeans into. This time, we’ll be trying to use the heading date, tolerating a little volunteer growth from fall rye.”
*** When Harro Wehrmann first decided to grow soybeans, he admits he knew nothing about it, making the learning curve very steep. “We gleaned from neighbours what they knew and used the available information in the 1980s,” he said. Wehrmann grows a special high protein soybean for Ontario food manufacturer Sol Cuisine. He and his wife, Anke, farm on 900 acres in southern Bruce and northern Huron Counties, near Ripley, Ontario, growing a wide range of crops including soybeans, spelt, rye, sunflowers, canola and black beans. After studying agriculture in his native Germany, Wehrmann came to Canada 30 years ago and has been farming ever since.
Our Nature is Organic
“We started as a mixed farm, but since 1987, have been growing exclusively organic cash crops because of our processing plant. “It became a question of available manpower and profitability. Having a mixed farm in southern Ontario with the land prices as they are just wasn’t viable.” Wehrmann switched to organics and now has an organic processing plant, buying and selling organic products (e.g. soybeans, canola, wheat, corn and spelt) and processing them. Soy is part of his crop rotation and is a mainstay of the processing plant. Wehrmann processes soy as whole beans (cleaning and packaging) and markets them in Europe, the US and Japan. “The farm’s soil has a very high level of pH and calcium, so it’s ideally suited for our sort of farming,” said Wehrmann. “The challenge in organic soybean production is that the last crop is planted at the end of May and the weed pressure then is quite high.” To tackle this problem, Wehrmann learned how to do interval cultivation. “Soy needs a minimum soil temperature of 12 degrees Celsius, preferably 15, so it will germinate and emerge within four to five days. In a conventional operation, this doesn’t matter, because weed control can happen anytime before planting or two to three weeks after planting. “In organics, it’s imperative the bean takes off and doesn’t stall. If you plant the soybean into either wet ground or if it experiences a cold shock, it will be affected severely—stunting it,” noting diseases are not a concern due to the effectiveness of available disease Fall 2013 – 7
packages and the resiliency of the soybean. “We start the rotation and follow with red clover, using a plough to get rid of clover residue. Then we do one or two cultivations before planting. If we have an early spring, we’ll put in a cover crop of oats, which we’ll cultivate prior to putting down soybean. If there’s a late spring, we don’t do anything, just cultivate one or two times and then plant the soybean. “About three days after planting, we use a weeding harrow, and then use it again once the plant has emerged. We sow in 20 inch (50 cm) rows and do interval cultivation. You can cultivate as much as you like, but we always stop at the first flower. The plants themselves have some kind of inert intelligence and sense whether or not weeds are growing in the vicinity. With soybeans, if you can keep it weed-free for the first six or seven weeks, it doesn’t matter if there’s late infestation. By then, the genetic potential is set.
A major challenge is the availability of germplasm and seed varieties in this day and age of GMO. “What happens later, weatherwise and with weed pressure, may influence the size of the soybean, but not the podding. It won’t threaten yield; at most, maybe aesthetics. “When there’s moisture deficit into July, we must time the maturity rating of the particular seed we use and anticipate the moisture deficit to avoid high temperature 8 – Fall 2013
Roger Rivest’s soy fields. flowering without soil moisture. In a good year, we have enough soil moisture stored up. In a year without much snow, it’s more of a challenge. Overall, we’re better off planting in June than in May.” A major challenge said Wehrmann is the availability of germplasm and seed varieties in this day and age of GMO. “We’re constantly looking for more soybean growers. In the feed sector, there’s competition from organic international producers and sellers, but the food market is basically a contract market. Our customers have been with us for over 22 years. “Soybean is about 99 percent self-pollinating. The risk of physical (transportation, seed processing, etc.) contamination is much higher than the risk of cross-pollination. “Soybean is a very old plant which survived some 2000 years in Asia before arriving in North America. It’s almost bullet proof with our Ontario climate. The biggest challenge in the prairies is frost. “If you have good soil, aphids aren’t an issue. Spider mites are a nutrition and rotation issue, which The Canadian Organic Grower
you won’t see with regular rotation and balanced soil nutrition. “We’re hoping to grow and sell more soybeans. The organic soybean industry needs to put its heads together to see how to grow more varieties (an issue not isolated to organics). “We may have to contract farther away from home, in Manitoba or elsewhere. We provide a guaranteed market and payment, and we’re trying to increase that.
When you’re weeding you must be very aggressive. “Organic farming faces challenges, but the biggest challenge is profitability. The prices need to be reasonable to make it work on a large market scale and we need to work with breeders in Quebec, or elsewhere, to introduce more varieties.” *** In 1973, Roger Rivest returned to the family home and farmed about 750 acres conventionally. www.cog.ca
“Around 1987, my son was found to have a brain tumour and I started thinking maybe there was something going on here,” said Rivest. “It changed my mindset. “I started going back to row crops and began by playing with five acres without chemicals.”
The organic soybean industry needs to put its heads together to grow more varieties. In 1990, Rivest had his first organic farm certified and has been growing about 50 acres of organic soy ever since. Around the year 2000, his son joined him, and they expanded into 1000 acres of organic production. “The biggest challenge is the weeds,” said Rivest. “Over the years, we’ve evolved to working
the land a couple times in the spring, trying to get rid of some weeds. We’ve done that for the last three to four years and it’s worked out quite well. Pretty well every aspect of what we do is weed management. “When it comes to weeding, if you’re not pulling out crop, you’re not being aggressive enough. When you’re weeding you must be very aggressive. “The secret with organics—for soy or corn—is to get it to emerge within three to five days, planting it as deep as you can, because we’re planting late but have the heat and a lot of equipment,” said Rivest, who farms in Stables, ON, which gets similar weather to Iowa. “Even though we’re planting later, we still average better (yield) than our conventional neighbours. Just keep in mind that you need to plant at least 10 percent more than you would conventionally.
About five years ago, Rivest teamed up with Keystone Grain Ltd. and is now in charge of their organic division, buying for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, and a bit in Ohio and the South. “Most organic farmers in Western Canada are just getting into soybeans now, going through the learning curve, as soybeans are pretty new in that part of the country. But that’s great, as they’ll have the time they need to learn, and then be successful in their growing. “The market for organics is in continual growth and is pretty stable in price. I’m hoping to get production up next year or even buy some land in Manitoba and further west. Global warming is providing all sorts of new opportunities. Farming will continue to diversify with more options going further north.”
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Fall 2013 – 9
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10 – Fall 2013
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IN MEMORIAM ~ RAYMOND LOO On September 16, 2013, Raymond Loo, of Springwillow Farms, PEI, peacefully left this world at just 51 years old, surrounded by his family.
Those who knew Raymond were struck by his passion for organic farming and his inspired vision for agriculture in PEI and the Maritimes. In addition to being the fifth generation to farm the land near Springfield, PEI, Raymond was founder and president of the P.E.I. Organic Producers Cooperative, a past board member of the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) and
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the Organic Federation of Canada. In 2007, he developed Anne’s PEI Farm, an organic export business in Japan for PEI’s organic and nonGMO canola and soy, black currants, dandelions and other products (www.annespeifarm.com). In 2011, he was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship, using it to study marketing agriculture products from islands. Raymond inspired those around him, welcoming WWOOFers from around the world and encouraging aspiring farmers. An upcoming documentary film will also feature Raymond and his vision for establishing PEI as a non-GMO province. Blake Loo, Raymond’s eldest son, is now hoping to carry on farming Springwillow Farm as the sixth generation. Raymond also leaves his wife Karen, son Adam and daughter Bridget. For those interested in making a donation, the Organic Agricultural Centre of Canada Foundation, is hoping to raise enough funds to start a scholarship in Raymond’s name. Go to w w w. o r g a n i c a g c e n t r e . c a / D O C s / O A C C donationsForm.pdf
Our Nature is Organic
Fall 2013 – 15
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Our Nature is Organic
Fall 2013 – 29
THE LAST WORD The angst of the ‘Wifelady’ One thing that keeps my ego in check is the frequency with which people get my name wrong. People usually go with Jason, though at my very first Chamber of Commerce event a couple of years back, the event coordinator chose Jonathan. “Jonathan, in just a minute I’m going to introduce you to the group and you can talk about your farm,” she informed me. Awkwardly, I told her that while I love how Jonathan rolls off the tongue, it wasn’t what brought me in for lunch. She apologized, then promptly turned around and made her announcement. “JONATHAN WILL NOW TALK ABOUT HIS FARM, EVERYONE.” I went with it. Jonathan did a great job, and even sold a veggie subscription that night. This sort of mistake doesn’t bother me. People can call me Mary if they’re willing to buy some of our produce. My three brothers do anyway, whether they’re buying or not. What concerns me a lot more is the title I, or others, use when describing how I make my living. You’d think it’d be straightforward. Primarily, I grow vegetables. So I’m a Gardener, right? This title is a bit problematic. Because of its strong association with backyard recreation, it is too ambiguous to effectively describe what I do. In Great Britain, the title of Market Gardener is wellknown and quite apt; however, here in Canada, it tends to elicit a lot of confused looks. Ditto with Horticulturalist. Agriculturalist? Too stuffy and self-important. 30 – Fall 2013
by Jordan Marr
Husbandman? My feminist partner would slap me. Wifelady? I’m not that secure. So how about plain old Veggie Grower? Simple! Concise! Here’s where I ruin everything by saying that I don’t just grow veggies. On our farm we have an orchard, grow hay, care for a couple of horses, and manage a few acres of forest. We’ve had bees and goats. Elsewhere, I’ve produced beef and eggs. My ego is big enough that this matters to me. Well, how about Farmer then? What’s wrong with that, Jason? Actually, not much, when I’m talking to the public. The problem with Farmer is that it’s a focal point for many insecurities and petty rivalries among my fellow Wifeladies. Rather than rally around the things we have in common, our country’s dwindling population of agriculturalists squabble over who’s got more credibility. That sheep producer over there is not a real farmer because her income doesn’t depend on it. That wheat grower? He’s not a Farmer. He’s too reliant on corporate chemicals. And Justin? Don’t get me started on Justin. He grows veggies on less than two acres in Peachland. That ain’t farming.
in my region who, like me, came from an urban upbringing. When we first met, he was surprised to hear me refer to myself as a Farmer. For him it was about experience and skill. “I grew veggies for 20 years before I felt justified using that title,” he told me. Fine then. I guess that makes me a Farmie, which is the new title I suggest we use to describe a Farmer on training wheels. Hope to see you all this weekend: we’ll have a stall at the Farmies’ Market in Penticton.
Jebediah Marr grows certified organic veggies at The Homestead Organic Farm in Peachland, BC.
I would assume that this is just another example of my neuroses at work, but I’m not the only one who thinks about this. True, my fellow young agrarians are pretty eager to identify themselves as Farmers. Ask one of them to babysit your goats for the weekend, and you’ve apparently given them license to use that term. On the other end of this spectrum, though, is a veteran Veggie Grower
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