Thank you to everyone who joined us for this event!
– Photo gallery –
– Discover the farm –
Take in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Saskatchewan while touring Axten Farms, learn about regenerative agriculture principles, and enjoy a home-grown meal.
Regeneration Canada is pleased to partner with Axten Farms Ltd. to invite you to a unique field-to-fork event. Come join us on July 29th in Minton, Saskatchewan as farmers Derek and Tannis Axten lead guests on an engaging journey through their multi-generational grain farm.
Speakers Antonious Petro, Executive Director of Regeneration Canada, and Joel Williams, soil health educator, will discuss regenerative agriculture and the impacts of biodiversity and soil covering on the health of the soil.
The afternoon will conclude with an Italian-inspired meal featuring grains grown at Axten Farms. The meal will be prepared by local chefs, Marco De Michele and his wife Tracy, owners of Solo Italia. Freshly baked goods will be provided by Regina-based Saltine Baking Company.
About the hosts
Axten Farms Ltd. is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Saskatchewan, where Tannis and Derek Axten own and operate their multi-generational family farm. On their land, they grow pulses, oil seeds and ancient grains with a focus on the crops both aboveground and on the life belowground: the soil microorganisms. By using regenerative practices such as reducing disturbance, intercropping, keeping the soil covered, and maintaining living roots as long as possible, the Axten’s work to create a healthy environment for their soil life. The Axtens built a food-grade seed-cleaning plant and flour mill on their property which enables them to offer their grains directly to companies looking for single-source products. Their goal is to create an environment that brings back life not only to the soil, but also to their community.
– Discover the farm –
About the speakers
Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator providing lectures, workshops and consultation on soil management, plant health and integrated approaches of sustainable food production. Joel has worked extensively in Australia, UK and Canada (where he’s currently based) and has been fortunate enough to lecture to farming audiences internationally. Joel has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (AUS) specialised in plant and soil dynamics and an MSc in Food Policy (UK) which focussed on food systems, intercropping and agroecological transitions.
Antonious Petro is the Executive Director at Regeneration Canada and a Master’s candidate in soil sciences at UQAT. He has an Undergraduate Degree in biology and a Graduate Diploma in community economic development. Antonious is interested in soil carbon sequestration in agricultural soils and in the ecological services of urban soils. He specializes in simplifying and making scientific concepts more accessible, and focuses on ecology, agri-food ecology, sustainability project management, and citizen mobilization around climate change.
About the chefs
Marco de Michele runs Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc. with his wife, Tracy. The couple moved from northern Italy to southern Saskatchewan in 2012, and Marco came with the desire to share his homemade Italian specialities. Solo Italia was featured by CBC News in 2018 for its success in small-town Saskatchewan. Marco will be serving spring wheat blend pizza, khorasan pasta, and spelt salad.
Saltine Baking Company is an artisanal bakery located in Regina that focuses on naturally leavened breads and pastries. Head baker and founder Ashley Schmalenberg felt inspired by the endless possibilities of baking and started her journey as a home-based business owner in 2014. Four years later, she moved into her first retail location where her growing team produce high quality bakings that highlight local organic grains, honey, fresh produce and more. Ashley will be creating a selection of treats for the event, including a sourdough bread featuring the Axtens’ flours that is also available at her shop throughout the month of July.
