About the Program

Organic Alberta is committed to building a resilient organic industry in the province. Given the tremendous growth in number of organic producers in the region as well as their high-quality production which attracts buyers from across the country, Mackenzie County is a particular area of focus for Organic Alberta. In 2018, organic operations in Mackenzie County grew from 180 to 272, over 40% of total organic operations in the province.

The Mackenzie County Organic Success program builds off the success and relationships formed through the first Mackenzie County Organic Success Program (2018-2020), which worked to support agricultural and agri-food entrepreneurs in the region to diversify into organic production.

Organic producers understand the importance of producing the high quality, staple crops of the region, while also diversifying production to create resiliency in the organic system. However, refining growing practices and introducing new crops presents significant challenges when it comes to marketing, production, financial management, and long-term planning. The goal of the Mackenzie County Organic Success program is to provide support for success in crop production, marketing, and diversification.

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Activities

Support activities include knowledge transfer tailored to the farming community in Mackenzie County. Field days, workshops, on-farm trials, trade shows, and a conference will provide focused details on organic crops, and practical agronomic and marketing information. Monthly grain market information sessions will share timely news on markets, value-added and farm direct-marketing, and bring new investment opportunities to the region by connecting farmers with buyers, and businesses. A farmer scholarship program will support farmer-led learning through tailor-made agronomy and marketing solutions provided by Organic Alberta’s network of verified agronomists and agri-coaches. These tailored supports will provide the region with information to integrate into farming and business practices to produce high quality crops and build resiliency into organic systems.

Spring Workshop Final

Organic Summer Field Days

Summer field days are a great time for hands-on and in-field learning as we come together.
Join us July 22nd at the Fort Vermilion Experimental Farm for a soil health presentation with Joel Williams, organic equipment and trade show, and walk the MARA organic research plots.
 
Then on August 4th, join our field tour of three organic farms with Agronomist, Scott Gillespie of Plants Dig Soil.
 
See you in the field!
capacity building

Capacity Building Grants

Certified organic and transitioning crop farmers and local businesses are invited to apply for the Mackenzie Organic Success Grant to access funding for either agronomic services or to strengthen market development opportunities for organic grain processing and distribution. Three scholarships are available to organic and transitioning grain and crop farmers in Mackenzie County for one-to-one agronomic coaching. Additionally, up to $2000 is available per applicant to supplement a diverse range of market development and capacity building initiatives that promote diversification, resiliency, and economic development in the region for organic crops.

spring workshop

Spring Workshop: Wednesday, April 6th

Join Organic Alberta for an interactive half-day workshop. Come together and dig deeper into organic production! Topics will focus on crop design, weed management, record keeping and Organic Alberta updates.

organic crops

Selling Your Organic Crops: Monthly Farmer Calls

Dial in and get updates on organic grain and crop markets, hear from buyers and processors on what they are looking for, and learn first-hand from farm direct marketers who sell flour and specialty crops into local markets. Each call will feature 2-3 industry speakers and a Q&A session. The series will cover a range of crops and market information tailored to the Mackenzie County region. All are welcome!

These calls are not online, grab your phone and dial in!

Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Toll-Free Number to Join: 1-866-613-5223

Access Code: 9817492