Organic Heroes

Honoured at Organic Connections 2018

Debbie

Debbie and her husband Ian moved to the Miller family farm at Lisieux in 1979. By 1990 farming wasn’t fun anymore. They were poisoning their land and themselves with their intensive chemical use. This was not an environment they wanted for their children, Dustin and Nancy. They bit the bullet and began the transition to organic production. By 1993 all 1100 acres were 100% certified organic. Farming was fun again.

At that time there was very little information available on how to farm organically. Synergy magazine published a story about an organic farmer located in southern Saskatchewan. Ian found his number and called him. Together they founded OCIA chapter #8 to make it easier for farmers to share information. The chapter attracted so many like-minded farmers that Debbie quit her day job and became the first chapter administrator. Debbie learned at a young age that if you see something that needs doing – you do it. She saw a need for people to help in setting up new organizations and to work on organic standards, certification and accreditation systems. So, she did it. Her work took her to several interesting places across Canada and around the world. She visited farms growing everything from coffee to beans to rice. Witnessing the strength and endurance of farmers everywhere was a humbling experience. She learned there were really no differences at all.

Sample of Debbie’s organic involvement:
- Organic Connections Founding President
- International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) accreditation committee
- Member first Organic Value Chain Round Table
- Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International President as well as service on several international level committees
- IFOAM Accredited Certification Bodies Association Founding President
- Columnist for Canadian Organic Growers Magazine
- Editor, Organic Alberta magazine
- Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (SOD) Administrator, Board member, Chair of Production Manual Committee, and Food Miles Committee
- Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) voting member
- OCIA Canada Regional Manager
- SOD Organic Agriculture Protection Fund (OAPF) Advisor
- Organic Ag Centre of Canada (OACC) Board Member
- U of S Trade/Market Analyst Steering Committee Member
- U of S Prairie Research Coordinator Steering Committee Member
- Canada-Ukraine Farm Program: project consultant/partner
- Invited guest to Terra Madre slow food conference in Italy
- Organic Regulatory Committee member
- Canadian National Organic Coalition (CNOC) founding member
- Organic Alberta Finance and Member Services Manager

Ian passed away in 2012. Debbie left the farm and moved to Alberta to work with Organic Alberta. She enjoys living closer to her daughter Nancy and is delighted that her son Dustin and family have moved back to the farm and are re-imagining it in new and wonderful ways.

Honoured at Organic Connections 2018

Arnold Taylor

Arnold was born and raised on a farm east of Kenaston, Saskatchewan. He and his wife Sharon started farming conventionally in 1972. They have an organic grain and beef operation since 1992 with their son, his wife and family. He has been involved with the organic industry in the following capacities:
• Former National President of Canadian Organic Growers
• Past President of Saskatchewan Organic Directorate
• Chair of SaskOrganics/Organic Agriculture Protection Fund
• Former Saskatchewan Representative on Organic Federation of Canada
• Former Vice President of the Organic Federation of Canada
• Voting member of the C.G.S.B. Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture
• On the SOD Food Miles Committee
• Founding Board member of Organic Connections Conference
• Twice Past President of the Kenaston Lions Club

Arnold was first certified in 1992 and at that time and in subsequent years he used the statement "organics put the fun back into farming". It is still fun!

Organic Pioneer

Honoured at Organic Connections 2004

Ray converted to organic in 1987, and it became a passion for him. When he was joined by his nephew, the farm supported 5 families. He was an innovative producer, never afraid to try new crops. He was pivotal in establishing the organic producer/certifier group OCIA chapter 5, often referred to as the Marysburg chapter as well as an important marketing cooperative for organic grain. Ray was an example and a mentor to many, from local farmers to people who became leaders in the organic community. Although he would not accept the term “expert”, he embodied the very spirit of organic, sharing freely with the organic community. He was gentle and encouraging, wise and practical, and he always had a twinkle in his eye.

Organic Pioneer

Honoured at Organic Connections 2008

Alfred Galarneau of Radville Saskatchewan has farmed chemical free for 30 years. In the early 1980’s he marketed his first load of grain to a premium market. Alfred began looking for reliable independent 3rd party certification that would assure his customers that his product was everything he said it was. Alfred was pivotal in forming the first Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) chapter in Western Canada to meet this need. By the late 1980's, Alfred and his family built a cleaning plant and began working with other farmers to meet the growing consumer demand. They eventually installed a full cleaning line so they were able to offer mill-ready grain. By the mid 1990's, they formed Prairie Heritage Seeds. Today the company markets grain from more than 50,000 acres, and Alfred remains an integral part of the operation.