The Northern Plains Program, in collaboration with Collective Impact, is an innovative initiative to support producers in adopting regenerative agriculture and precision farming practices in North Eastern and North Central Saskatchewan. Launched by General Mills, this program has grown into a network group for producers, agronomists, and industry leaders where they can collaborate, explore new practices, and connect with like minded growers which will give them access to innovative tools and resources.
2024 was a Successful Year
The Northern Plains Program has been so well received since inception, that in 2024 there were 130,000 acres that have been impacted by the program. The initiative has provided producers with access to variable rate technology (VRT), intercropping trials, and other helpful tools to familiarize with these new BMPs.
What the Program Offers
- Complimentary Services for Producers Engaging in Trials
- Opportunities to try new regenerative practices at minimal cost and risk.
- Variable rate technology (VRT) and mapping assistance.
- On-farm seed separation through CI’s Quick Clean mobile unit, allowing farmers to clean their own seed without hauling it to a commercial facility.
- Supplying seed and the equipment to seed marginal acres to convert them to forage acres.
- Support for cover cropping and underseeding trial education, including guidance, plant counts, soil health monitoring, and moisture probes.
- Assistance for producers trying intercropping, with access to zone maps and soil testing.
- Support for organic producers through organic field trials, sharing information from past trials, and networking with other organic producers
- Research & On-Farm Trials
- Trial assistance on ¼ sections typically.
- Demonstrate the benefits of cover crops, intercropping, and other best management practices (BMPs) on soil moisture, soil health, fertility, and overall farm productivity and resiliency.
- Moisture research trials, which use soil probes and weather stations to study moisture conditions, mobility, and infiltration in different soil and cropping systems.
- Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration
- Producers are encouraged to share experiences and learn from others through meetings, networking, and peer support.
- Future webinars will cover topics requested by producers, including conventional and regenerative farming, livestock integration, precision agriculture, and intercropping.
- Engaging First Nations communities to build awareness of regenerative agricultural practices on their lands.
- Community collaboration initiatives to support health, well-being, and agricultural education for youth.
- Peer Networking
- Ability to connect with through sharing and learning from other producer who have tried or are interested in trying new practices
Why Participate in 2025?
- Northern Plains Program subsidizes costs, minimizing investments, and mitigating risk
- Access to new technology, variable rate prescriptions, soil testing, and agronomic tools, including support on how to utilize them.
- Get hands-on experience with BMPs that improve soil health and crop resilience.
- Build strong relationships with agronomists and receive expert advise
Enrollment & Next Steps
Enrollment is open until April 1. Interested producers and agronomists can contact Kris Babbings [email protected] for more details and to discuss their participation.
If you’re a producer or agronomist looking for a better path forward in 2025 and beyond, this program is your chance to explore regenerative practices with full support and minimal risk.
For more details, visit: Northern Plains Program