On July 24th, the Organic Council of Ontario participated in a Producer Club meeting hosted by local farmer Ron VanBakel on his farm just outside Stratford, Ontario. The gathering brought together a wide range of producers, from certified organic farmers to those in transition to others who are integrating organic and regenerative practices without formal certification.
Ron welcomed participants with a tour of his farm, including a look at a Johnson-Su bioreactor and a demonstration of how biological inputs are extracted and applied to fields. The innovation and resourcefulness on display highlighted the creativity and care that many Ontario farmers are bringing to their land management practices.
What made the day especially valuable were the conversations that followed. Farmers openly shared their experiences, challenges, and choices. Discussions touched on whether to till or not to till, how to approach weed control, the role of livestock, and the shifting priorities of consumers. Some spoke about stepping away from organic certification due to shifting market demands or logistical constraints, while others described how certification continues to guide and support their approach to sustainable farming.
The growing interest in regenerative agriculture was a key theme. While it does not always involve formal certification, it is driving important changes in how farmers think about soil health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience. These diverse perspectives reflect the complexity of farming today. There are many paths, and no single approach fits all.
At OCO, we are committed to supporting producers across this spectrum. Producer Clubs offer a valuable space for peer learning, practical knowledge exchange, and community connection. We are grateful to Ron and all participants for making this event both engaging and insightful.
OCO looks forward to continuing to support Producer Club meetings that reflect the real conversations happening on farms across the province and that help strengthen the broader farming community in Ontario.