Michael Ferguson, Co-founder of Collective Impact, is a fourth-generation farmer with dedication to driving out-of-the-box practices that shift modern agriculture into sustainable farming. Based near Melfort, Saskatchewan, Michael’s family has been farming for generations, with 3,000 acres of land cultivating canola, oats, wheat, barley, pulses, and forages. The farm also partners with local ranchers to create grazing opportunities.

While strongly connected to his family farm, Michael was always encouraged to explore opportunities beyond agriculture. However, he continually found himself drawn back to the land, bringing knowledge from his financial education to the operation. After earning finance and accounting diplomas from NAIT, he officially joined the family farm in 2010. Recognizing the need to advance his career due to the farm’s size, he began consulting in the same year, focusing initially on grain marketing and risk management.

In 2017, Michael expanded his consulting work to the sustainability and traceability sector. What started as small projects quickly evolved into larger initiatives as industry interest grew. His approach is hands-on—rather than simply discussing opportunities, he believes in first implementing them on the farm to understand their practical applications. This philosophy allows him to demonstrate real-world examples to other producers, where he can provide education and assist in the planning and implementation phases of their operations.

Through his work with Collective Impact, Michael continues to collaborate with farmers who share his vision for a resilient and sustainable agricultural industry. His expertise in finance, risk management, and sustainability makes him a valuable leader in this space.