Tannis Axten

at Axten Farms

Tannis Axten farms with her husband, Derek, at Minton, Saskatchewan. She has a Bachelor of Education with a Major in Biology. Tannis began farming with her husband in 2002 and has now found a way put her education to good use. Tannis completed four online courses offered by Dr. Elaine Ingham to further her knowledge on the soil food web, making compost and identifying microbiology in the soil. She then had the opportunity to spend 5 days of hands-on- training with Dr. Ingham. A microscope is used to assess their soils and the quality of their compost, teas and extracts. In order to restore the soil food web, Tannis determines what soil biology is lacking. They then work to create compost that can increase the diversity of biology within the soil. The microscope has become an invaluable tool on their farm.