Every year, the Organic Champions Awards honour individuals and organizations whose work embodies the spirit of organic agriculture: building healthier soils, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.
The 2025 recipients represent the breadth and depth of Ontario’s organic sector—innovators, educators, farmers, and community builders who are shaping the future of food.
This year, we extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who submitted nominations and to the many incredible people who were recognized. Each nominee reflects the strength of our movement and the collective effort that makes Ontario a leader in organic farming and food.
We are proud to present the 2025 Organic Champions:
Community Roots Award
Black Creek Community Farm
Located in one of Canada’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) is a green oasis in the heart of Toronto. Spread across eight acres of farmland, forest, and heritage buildings, the farm is within walking distance of eight schools and thousands of households.
BCCF grows more than 40 different vegetables and over 100 unique varieties, from purple carrots to callaloo, reflecting the diversity of its community. Certified organic through Eco-Cert, the farm uses practices that build soil health, preserve biodiversity, and minimize reliance on pesticides.
But BCCF is more than a farm, it’s a hub for community resilience. By offering sliding-scale pricing, educational programming, community baking days, and food security initiatives, the farm ensures that fresh, local, organic food is accessible to all. Each purchase supports not only the market garden, but also programs that preserve green space, promote food justice, and empower residents.
Market Garden Innovator Award
Marc McKerracher & Ruth Gatzke – Rumar Farm
Rumar Farm has long been known for its vibrant CSA and community engagement, but Marc McKerracher and Ruth Gatzke have taken their commitment to the next level. By investing in fruit trees and new processing capacity, they now transform “seconds” into organic juice concentrates, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
This innovation provides high-quality products to local restaurants, markets, and CSA members while closing the loop on food waste. Their holistic approach means everything is used; whether sold fresh, pressed into juice, or composted back into the soil.
Rain or shine, Rumar Farm shows up for its community. From market stalls to on-farm events, Marc and Ruth have built a loyal network of customers who feel connected to the farm and its mission. Their leadership demonstrates how small- to mid-scale organic farms can combine innovation, sustainability, and community to thrive.
Organic Trailblazer Award
Bill van Nes – St. Brigid’s Creamery
At St. Brigid’s Dairy, Bill van Nes is redefining what organic dairy can be on the land, in the marketplace, and across the sector. His pasture-first system centres on soil health, rotational grazing, and diverse forages, resulting in resilient cows and nutrient-dense milk. By measuring outcomes like organic matter gains and biodiversity, Bill transforms organic compliance into continuous ecological improvement.
Through St. Brigid’s Creamery, his milk is churned into premium butter that reflects the true seasonality of pasture farming: golden in summer, paler in winter. Rather than hiding these natural rhythms, Bill uses them to educate chefs, retailers, and consumers about authentic organic practices.
Beyond his farm, Bill shares knowledge generously, mentors peers, and contributes to the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Organic Committee, ensuring policy reflects on-the-ground realities. His work proves that organic dairy can be principled, transparent, and premium, all at once.
Pollinator Protector Award
Gemma James-Smith – Bayfield Lavender Farm
For Gemma James-Smith, pollinator health is more than a priority, it’s at the heart of her farm. At Bayfield Lavender Farm, she cultivates not only expansive lavender fields but also diverse companion plantings that provide continuous forage for pollinators.
Her impact extends beyond the farm through workshops, tours, and partnerships that educate the public about pollinators’ essential role in ecosystems and agriculture. By encouraging pollinator-friendly practices in gardens and community spaces such as planting native species and reducing pesticide use, Gemma multiplies her farm’s positive impact across the region.
As a founding board member of Eat Local Huron, she also strengthens local food networks, showing how pollinator health, ecological farming, and community development can go hand in hand.
Steward of the Herd Award
Katrina McQuail – Meeting Place Organic Farm
At Meeting Place Organic Farm, Katrina McQuail is carrying forward her family’s legacy while shaping the future of organic livestock management. She oversees a diverse herd of cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry using rotational grazing systems that regenerate soils, sequester carbon, and foster biodiversity.
Her animal care reflects organic principles at their best: preventative health through genetics, nutrition, and low-stress handling rather than chemical interventions. The result is a system where animals, land, and people all thrive.
Katrina’s influence extends far beyond her farm. As president of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, a mentor to young farmers, and an active community member, she embodies the values of stewardship, leadership, and generosity.
Field Crop Leader Award
Phil Oegema – Oegema Grains
When Phil Oegema returned to his family farm in 2012, he set out to transition its 1,200 acres to organic production. Today, Oegema Grains is fully organic, growing corn, soybeans, edible beans, and winter cereals while pioneering new tools and techniques.
Phil was among the first in Ontario to adopt The Weed Zapper, a cutting-edge tool for controlling weeds with electricity. He actively shares his knowledge of cover crops, soil management, and weed control with other farmers, earning respect as both an innovator and collaborator.
In addition to his farm, Phil operates an organic elevator that provides drying and storage services for other organic farmers, always with fairness and flexibility. As the 2024 President of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Phil continues to represent and advance farmer-led solutions.
Organic Legacy Award
Canadian Organic Growers – Ottawa-St. Lawrence-Outaouais Chapter Members
Dick Coote, Jim Davidson, Lloyd Stachan, David Townson, Margaret Tourond-Townson, and Gary Weinhold
Few groups embody dedication like these six long-standing members of Canadian Organic Growers’ Ottawa-St. Lawrence-Outaouais Chapter. With more than 120 combined years of volunteer service, they have built programs and institutions that continue to shape their region.
Their legacy includes:
- Launching the Growing Up Organic program with school boards
- Creating the Seniors Organic Gardeners program
- Establishing and maintaining an organic demonstration garden at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- Hosting Eco Farm Day, an annual training conference now running for over 40 years
- Leading educational tours, workshops, and community events
- Publishing monthly newsletters to connect the local organic community
Their efforts have inspired thousands of eaters, gardeners, and farmers, and their vision continues to influence the organic sector regionally and nationally.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Organic Champions remind us that organics is more than a label; it’s a movement powered by people who care deeply for the land, for animals, and for each other. From urban farms to large-scale crop operations, from community advocates to legacy leaders, each champion helps weave the fabric of a stronger, healthier food system.
We celebrate their achievements and thank them for their leadership, innovation, and commitment. Together, they inspire us all to keep growing the future of organics.
Join us in celebrating their achievements this upcoming January 27-28 at the 2026 Guelph Organic Conference!
Already thinking about your organic heroes? 2026 Champion nominations will open September 2026.