Soil Champions
Soil Champions began with support from Glacier Farm Media and a 2021 donation from Ruth Butt of Woodstock, ON. With backing from Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and early leaders like Lynda Tityk, Don Lobb, and Jay Bradshaw, the group grew into a committee. In 2023, Soil Champions formally joined the Soil Conservation Council of Canada as the Soil Champions Committee.
Our Vision
Statement
of Purpose
In order to support our vision and purpose we will seek partnerships and fund projects that will improve the general public’s awareness that without healthy soil there is no chance of a healthy society. No soil, no society.
To be the catalyst that ensures the care and protection of agricultural soil for the enduring benefit of society and the environment.
Advance education and transfer knowledge to provide a broad societal appreciation for healthy soil
To foster the protection, and care of soil health and productivity to ensure its capacity to produce reliably and sustainably.
About the Soil Champions
The origins of the Soil Champions can be traced to the leadership and sponsorship of Glacier Farm Media (GFM). Then in 2021 when Ruth Butt of Woodstock, ON made a donation directed to soil conservation the ball really started rolling. Ruth was a neighbour and supporter of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) and with GFM helped foster the startup of the Soil Champions. The original Soil Champions included Lynda Tityk from Glacier Farm Media, Don Lobb, a well-known soil conservationist and farmer, and Jay Bradshaw a leader in the Canadian agricultural industry and former president of Syngenta Canada. Other committee members were recruited and in 2023 the Soil Champions joined the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) and became the Soil Champions Committee.
Supporting
Activities
Promote soil in all activities as an essential, strategic natural resource. Partners should include a wide variety of entities through society, the agri-food industry and government.
Provide a forum for collaboration on soil care – practices, outcomes and standards. Partners include consumers, food processors, retailers, ag business, farmers, academia, policy makers and communicators.
Facilitate national roundtables to better detail the definitions of soil health and sustainable agriculture. Partners include all stakeholders.
Promote research and demonstration that aligns with government, social, industry and agricultural capability, requirements, and expectations.
Participate in activities that support soil health and sustainable agriculture practices.
If you are interested in partnering on a project or seek funding for soil health or conservation awareness in Canada, please e-mail us at info@soilcc.ca.
Soil Champions Committee Members
Jay Bradshaw
Committee Chair
Ian Boyd
SCCC Chair
Rod Delahey
Committee Member
Andy Graham
Committee Member
Danielle Maynard
Committee Member