Agriculture has always faced uncertainty, but today’s growers are navigating a unique combination of challenges. Drought, rising production costs, changing weather patterns, labour shortages and global instability are all affecting how farms operate and plan for the future.
To explore these issues, Agrotek recently brought together Juan Paez of Wild Flight Farm, Robby Gass of ALBA Organics, and Dr. Deborah Henderson from the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
What followed wasn’t a conversation about one product or one farming practice, it was a discussion about how healthier soils, practical management, research and technology all play a role in helping farms adapt to an increasingly unpredictable future.
One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion was the importance of organic matter.
Drawing from his experience at Wild Flight Farm, Juan explained that fields with higher organic matter consistently perform better under difficult conditions. Healthier soils retain water more effectively during dry periods, improve drainage after heavy rainfall and create a stronger environment for root development.
“We’re seeing that plots with higher organic matter are more resilient.” — Juan Paez
Robby reinforced that message, describing organic matter as the foundation of resilient farming.
“Building organic matter is fundamentally the most important action a farmer can take.” — Robby Gass
Dr. Deborah Henderson added the research perspective, explaining that scientists are placing increasing attention on the biological side of soil health. Rather than looking only at nutrients, researchers are also studying microbial activity and biological indicators that help explain why some soils are naturally more resilient than others.
Together, their perspectives painted a clear picture: healthy soils don’t happen overnight, but they are one of the best long-term investments growers can make.
Improving soil health isn’t only about what goes into the soil—it’s also about how the soil is managed.
Juan shared how Wild Flight Farm has changed several cultivation practices over the past few years, reducing aggressive tillage, investing in cover crops and adapting irrigation practices to improve soil structure while reducing compaction.
Robby expanded on that idea, explaining how repeated cultivation can create compacted layers beneath the soil surface, making it harder for roots to access both water and nutrients.
The discussion also challenged the common belief that applying more fertilizer automatically leads to healthier crops. Instead, the panel emphasized that soil biology plays a critical role in making nutrients available to plants.
Dr. Henderson illustrated this with a simple analogy:
“When you give the plant everything it needs, it’s like living beside a McDonald’s. You never learn how to cook.” — Dr. Deborah Henderson
Her point was that healthy soils rely on complex biological relationships. While fertilizers certainly have an important place in agriculture, long-term resilience depends on maintaining the living systems that naturally cycle nutrients and support plant growth.
The conversation then shifted from soil to technology.
Dr. Henderson highlighted how quickly innovation is moving across agriculture, from sensors and automation to robotics and biological products. At the same time, she noted that growers face an increasing challenge: deciding which technologies truly deliver value.
Many of the projects at KPU involve helping companies validate new agricultural technologies under real farming conditions, giving growers more confidence before investing in new tools.
She also introduced a challenge many growers may not have considered: “dashboard fatigue.” As more technologies enter the market, farms often end up managing multiple platforms that don’t communicate with one another, making it harder—not easier—to make decisions.
Juan agreed that technology adoption remains difficult for many growers, particularly when new equipment requires significant investment, training and changes to existing farming practices.
Robby offered another practical reminder: while biological products continue to evolve, nature rarely responds to a single solution. Instead of relying on isolated microbial products, he encouraged growers to think about supporting the entire soil ecosystem and allowing natural biological communities to do the work they were designed to do.
While each speaker brought a different perspective—as a grower, consultant and researcher—they consistently returned to one idea: agriculture’s biggest challenges cannot be solved by one person, one company or one technology alone.
Growers bring practical experience from the field.
Researchers help validate new ideas and technologies.
Industry develops tools that support better farming practices.
Governments play an important role in maintaining the infrastructure that agriculture depends on.
As climate, markets and production continue to evolve, conversations like these help bridge the gap between research and practice, giving growers practical ideas they can apply to their own operations.
Agrotek would like to thank Juan Paez, Robby Gass and Dr. Deborah Henderson for sharing their knowledge and experience, and everyone who joined us for the discussion.
This webinar is part of Agrotek’s webinar series, bringing together growers, researchers and industry leaders for real conversations about the challenges and opportunities shaping agriculture today.
Agriculture has never been easy, but today’s growers are navigating a unique combination of challenges. Rising input costs, global uncertainty, and increasingly frequent drought conditions are forcing farmers to adapt while continuing to produce the food our communities depend on.
To help foster practical conversations around these issues, Agrotek Industries is launching a new educational webinar series designed to bring together growers, researchers, and industry experts to share insights and lessons from the field.
The first webinar, Global Conflicts and Drought Season: Farming Smarter Under Pressure, will take place on July 16, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (PT).
We are pleased to welcome:
At Agrotek, we believe innovation happens when growers, researchers, and industry organizations come together to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
This webinar marks the beginning of a broader series of conversations we plan to host throughout 2026 and 2027, covering topics such as post-harvest planning, farm finance, food security, and food sovereignty.
Global Conflicts and Drought Season: Farming Smarter Under Pressure
📅 July 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 a.m. (PT)
💻 Online
✅ Free
Register today: https://bit.ly/4aCf7cY
We look forward to seeing you there.
At Agrotek, we’ve always believed that meaningful innovation in agriculture happens where science meets real-world conditions.
That’s why we’re excited to share an important milestone: during Agrishow 2026,one of the largest agricultural trade shows in the world, we officially signed a partnership with AgNest, an agricultural innovation hub in Brazil focused on testing and validating technologies in real field environments.
Brazil is one of the most dynamic and influential agricultural markets in the world. With its scale, diversity of crops, and complex growing conditions, it offers a unique opportunity to test solutions that are both resilient and adaptable.
For us, entering the Brazilian ecosystem is not just about expansion. It’s about learning, collaborating, and contributing to a broader conversation around the future of agriculture.
Through this partnership, Agrotek will begin testing its humic acid-based solutions in Brazil.
Derived from high-quality leonardite sourced from our own mine in Saskatchewan, Canada, our products are designed to work where it matters most: in the soil. By improving soil structure, increasing water retention, and enhancing nutrient uptake, humic substances help farmers get more out of the inputs they already use.
In practical terms, this means:
This work is closely aligned with the principles of regenerative agriculture — an approach that focuses on restoring soil health, improving biological activity, and building long-term resilience in farming systems.
Rather than relying solely on increased inputs, regenerative practices aim to improve how the system functions as a whole. Healthier soils lead to better water retention, more efficient nutrient cycling, and ultimately, more stable yields.
AgNest provides an ideal environment for this next phase of Agrotek’s work. As a hub that brings together researchers, companies, and field trials, it allows technologies to be tested, adapted, and validated under real agricultural conditions.
This is critical. What works in theory must prove itself in the field, and under the specific challenges that farmers face every day.
We’re planning to begin field trials in Brazil’s upcoming planting cycle, starting in September and aligned with the main soybean growing season, and are looking forward to building strong relationships within the Brazilian agricultural ecosystem.
This partnership represents more than a new market. It’s an opportunity to connect knowledge, strengthen innovation across borders, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for agriculture.
The recent escalation of conflict involving Iran and the continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz are once again exposing how vulnerable global fertilizer and fuel supply chains remain.
For farmers, these moments are more than headlines. They directly affect:
When nitrogen, sulphur, diesel, and crop protection products rise together, every input decision carries more weight.
At Agrotek, we see moments like this as an important reminder that input efficiency is no longer just an agronomy conversation. It is a business resilience conversation.
When markets become volatile, the instinct is often to focus on cost alone.
But long-term resilience comes from another question:
How can crops access and use nutrients more efficiently?
This is where soil health becomes one of the most practical tools growers have.
Healthy soils support:
The goal is not necessarily to apply more.
The goal is to make sure more of what is applied can actually be used by the crop.
Global shocks remind us how dependent conventional agriculture can still be on fragile supply chains.
This is why more growers are exploring humic acid, biologicals, and organic-compatible soil solutions as part of their fertility strategy.
Humic substances help improve the soil environment around the root zone, supporting:
These tools are not about replacing every conventional input.
They are about making the overall fertility program work harder and smarter, especially when margins are tight.
For many growers, the biggest opportunity in a volatile year is not simply finding cheaper products.
It is building a system that is:
That is why the industry conversation around biologicals and organic-compatible solutions continues to grow.
The farms that will be best positioned in the next few years are the ones investing not only in products, but in soil systems that improve efficiency over time.
Price shocks will continue to come from geopolitics, climate events, logistics issues, and shifting regulations.
Growers cannot control those forces.
What they can control is how resilient their soil systems are when those pressures arrive.
At Agrotek, we believe the future of farm profitability starts below the surface:
That is where resilience begins.
In February 2026, Agrotek joined the AgTech Mission to Brazil, organized by the Trade Commissioner Service and the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo, with the support of Export Development Canada.
The mission brought Canadian agritech companies to São Paulo, Campinas, Jaguariúna, Piracicaba and Ribeirão Preto, offering a comprehensive look at one of the world’s most significant agricultural markets.
For Agrotek, the visit marked an important step in strengthening international relationships and assessing long term opportunities in regenerative agriculture.
Engagement with research and institutional leaders
The mission began in São Paulo with a visit to FAPESP, where Agrotek was welcomed by institutional leadership and introduced to Brazil’s agricultural research priorities. A sector overview from Rabobank Brazil provided additional perspective on market trends, challenges and emerging opportunities within the Brazilian agtech landscape.
At BASF’s AgroStart innovation hub, discussions with open innovation leaders and Brazilian stakeholders reinforced the importance of cross border collaboration between global technology providers and local ecosystems.
Connecting with innovation ecosystems
In Campinas, Agrotek visited AptaHub within ITAL, engaging directly with researchers and startups developing next generation agricultural solutions.
At Embrapa’s Agnest Farm in Jaguariúna, one of Brazil’s leading agricultural research institutions, the team toured facilities, met with technology transfer leaders and explored areas of potential alignment in soil health and biological innovation.
In Piracicaba, Agrotek visited ESALQ, the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture at the University of São Paulo. Meetings with professors, researchers and startups at the ESALQTech incubator underscored Brazil’s strong integration between academic research and commercial innovation.
The delegation also met with Coplacana, one of São Paulo state’s largest sugarcane cooperatives, during its annual CoplaCampo innovation event, where producers and suppliers evaluate emerging technologies and field solutions.
Industry visits and market insight
In Ribeirão Preto, discussions at Supera Parque Innovation Hub provided insight into Brazil’s legal and regulatory framework and the broader business environment for international companies.
Industry visits to Spin Agro, specializing in pre sprouted sugarcane bud production, and Vittia, a leader in biological and natural plant protection, allowed for in depth exchanges on research, development and innovation strategies.
Across meetings with research institutions, cooperatives, innovation hubs and private companies, one message was consistent. Brazilian producers are seeking solutions that increase productivity while preserving soil health and ensuring long term sustainability.
Brazil exceeded expectations
“Brazil exceeded my expectations,” said Jonathan Mathias, CEO of Agrotek. “The scale of agriculture is extraordinary, but what impressed me most was the level of technical sophistication and openness to innovation. We had high quality conversations with research institutions, cooperatives and private companies that are thinking seriously about soil health and long term resilience. We look forward to returning soon to continue advancing discussions in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, and we were honoured to receive an invitation to visit Northern Brazil to explore additional opportunities. This is clearly just the beginning.”
Continued engagement
Agrotek extends its sincere thanks to the Trade Commissioner Service, the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo and Export Development Canada for organizing and supporting this mission, as well as to all Brazilian partners who welcomed the delegation.
Brazil remains a critical global agricultural leader and a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. Agrotek will return to São Paulo in the near future and is exploring the possibility of expanding its engagement to Northern Brazil following the invitation received during the mission.
At Agrotek, we believe that the future of agriculture is rooted in respect for the land, science, and the people who have cared for ecosystems since time immemorial.
That belief is what led us to support the Agrotek Undergraduate Award for Indigenous Students, offered through Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Environment. The award was created to uplift and support Indigenous undergraduate students by recognizing academic success, lived experience, and leadership connected to environmental stewardship, land-based knowledge, and agriculture broadly defined.
Indigenous knowledge systems have long shaped how land, water, and food systems are understood and protected. Supporting Indigenous students in environmental studies is not just about education, it’s about empowering future leaders to bring together traditional knowledge, community experience, research, and innovation.
The award is open to Indigenous undergraduate students in SFU’s Faculty of Environment who meet the following criteria:
Are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit
Are enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s degree program within the Faculty of Environment at SFU
Are in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
Demonstrate a meaningful connection to agriculture, which may include:
Academic studies
Community or personal engagement
Cultural teachings or traditional knowledge
Lived experience
Career aspirations related to food systems, land-based practices, Indigenous food sovereignty, or environmental justice
At least one award, valued at a minimum of $2,000, is granted annually.
Applications are currently open, with a deadline of January 31.
We’re proud to support this initiative alongside SFU and look forward to seeing the impact these students will continue to make in their communities and beyond.
Learn more and apply here:
https://www.sfu.ca/fenv/students/current-students/scholarships/agrotek-award.html
This week, our team joined growers, researchers, and partners at the 2025 BC Organic Conference — three days of learning, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection with the people who shape the future of organic agriculture in BC.
A highlight for us was seeing Jonathan Mathias, CEO of Agrotek, recognized among the night’s honourees with a nomination for the Organic BC Innovation Award. This acknowledgment represents an important milestone in a sector where Indigenous leadership is still limited, and it reflects the impact of Jonathan’s commitment to bringing sustainability, soil science, and community-driven innovation to farms across Canada.
We were also grateful to collaborate throughout the week with Robby Gass (Alba Organics) and Sammy Prantera (Green Flow). Their presence and expertise added a lot of value to the conversations we had with growers — especially around soil health strategies, sustainable inputs, and practical solutions for organic production.
We also saw strong interest in the Biota Nutri product line and in Squid Juice, which we distribute across Western Canada. Growers came with thoughtful questions about how these tools support soil health and crop resilience, and we were glad to continue explaining how Agrotek’s humic acid solutions contribute to more sustainable and productive organic systems.
The conference also offered a series of technical sessions that reinforced many of the themes we see every day in the field. Presentations highlighted the importance of building resilient soils, the role of cover crops in regenerative systems, and the need for practical, research-backed approaches that growers can apply right away. Conversations across the room expanded on these ideas — touching on soil health, market challenges, crop performance, and the future of organic practices in BC and Canada. These open, honest dialogues are exactly what make this conference such a valuable space for our community.
Another powerful moment came from Jacob Beaton, whose talk on ReconciliACTION reminded us of the work still needed to create access, opportunity, and genuine inclusion for Indigenous professionals in agriculture. As an Indigenous-led company, we felt deeply connected to his message and remain committed to supporting meaningful action in the spaces we work in.
As we look back on the week, we’re grateful — for the shared knowledge, the curiosity, the conversations, and the collective effort to build a stronger, more sustainable organic sector. Thank you to Organic BC, to all speakers and growers, and to everyone who stopped by to connect with us.
We’re heading home inspired and grounded, ready to continue supporting growers with solutions rooted in science, sustainability, and respect for the land.
As the fall season settles in and fields across British Columbia transition after another dry summer, one thing is clear: reacting year by year isn’t enough anymore. Drought cycles, wildfire risks, and unpredictable weather patterns are reshaping how we farm—and making it harder to rely on “how we’ve always done things.”
If we want farming to remain viable—not just for this season, but for the long run—we need to build resilience into our everyday decisions.
At Agrotek, we believe that starts from the ground up.
Redefining resilience for the long run
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back after stress. It’s about creating systems that don’t break down in the first place.
It’s in how we:
That shift—from reaction to preparation—means rethinking how we treat soil and how we support plants before trouble arrives.
What we’re seeing across the field
Across B.C. and beyond, producers are taking different approaches to prepare their land for the next growing season:
One solution that continues to gain attention in these conversations is fulvic acid—and now, marine-based biostimulants like SquidJuice.
Natural allies for soil recovery and plant strength
Our own Fulvic acid remains one of the most efficient natural tools to support crops through stress. It helps plants absorb nutrients more effectively, stimulates root development, and supports soil microbial life.
SquidJuice, Green Flow’s marine-based biostimulant, builds on that foundation. Derived from sustainably sourced squid hydrolysate, it’s rich in amino acids, peptides, and organic nitrogen—giving plants a boost in vigor, root development, and microbial activity.
Together, they complement each other beautifully:
Here in B.C., producers using both have reported stronger early root growth, improved soil texture, and noticeably less stress during dry weeks — early signs of how biological inputs can reshape soil performance.
And the results go beyond our region. Across Western Canada and down through California, growers are seeing the same pattern: small biological adjustments are delivering measurable gains. Field studies have shown that fulvic acid applications can increase crop yields by up to 35 % in tomatoes and boost biomass by more than 25 % in cereals under nutrient or drought stress. Meanwhile, marine-based hydrolysates like SquidJuice—rich in amino acids and organic nitrogen—have been shown to improve leaf development and soil microbial activity by 15–20 %, enhancing plant resilience during dry cycles.
Together, these tools are helping farmers hold water longer, strengthen root systems, and keep productivity steady even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Let’s build something that lasts
There’s no single path to resilience, but the direction is clear: we need to build smarter systems that hold up when the weather doesn’t. That make the most of what nature gives us. That help crops recover faster and perform better, season after season.
Products rooted in nature—like humic and fulvic acids and SquidJuice—can be part of that journey. Not as quick fixes, but as tools to strengthen the foundation for long-term sustainability.
If you’re thinking about how to set your soil up for success this fall, we’re here to talk.
Because the future of farming in B.C.—and across North America—depends on how we prepare today.
When farmers come together, the entire field grows stronger. Last week, Agrotek Industries and Alba Organics brought this spirit of collaboration to life in Kelowna, hosting an intimate, hands-on workshop focused on soil health and sustainable fertilization practices.
The event gathered 20 farmers and growers eager to explore new ways to enhance soil performance, boost crop yields, and reduce dependency on synthetic inputs.
Led by Robby Gass, soil consultant and founder of Alba Organics, and Jonathan Mathias, CEO of Agrotek Industries, the session combined practical experience with innovative insights into soil biology, biostimulants, and humic acid applications. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about improving nutrient efficiency, supporting long-term soil resilience, and adapting sustainable approaches to different crop types — from berries and leafy greens to vineyards.
The positive feedback was immediate. Many attendees expressed interest in hosting exclusive follow-up workshops for farmers in Kamloops and vineyard producers in the Okanagan, underscoring the growing demand for localized, knowledge-driven learning opportunities.
We are proud to work alongside farmers to deliver practical, science-backed solutions that help increase organic production, improve soil performance, and reduce environmental impacts. By sharing knowledge and building partnerships across the agriculture community, Agrotek continues to support growers in achieving stronger, more sustainable results — today and for the next generation.
Stay tuned for details on upcoming sessions and resources for growers across Western Canada
Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful farm. This fall, Agrotek Industries is partnering with Alba Organics to host a free farmer-focused workshop in Kelowna that will share practical tools and proven strategies to build living soils, improve crop resilience, and boost yields.
When: Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: East Kelowna Hall – 2704 E Kelowna Rd, Kelowna, BC
The workshop will be led by soil specialist Robby Gass (Alba Organics) and Jonathan Mathias (Agrotek Industries). Together, they’ll walk farmers through the building blocks of living soil, composting methods, and natural biostimulants like Squid Juice, HA6 Humates, and Biota Nutri. The day will also include a farmer-led discussion on composting, drone and tractor applications, and time to connect with peers.
With over 30 years of experience in regenerative farming, Robby brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to help farmers get the most out of their soils. Jonathan, as CEO of Agrotek, will share insights from two decades of bringing OMRI-certified biostimulants to Canadian farmers and supporting sustainable agriculture through research and partnerships.
And yes — lunch is on us.
Spots are limited. Register here to secure your place at the workshop.
Interested in learning more about how Agrotek can revolutionize your
farming practices? Get in
touch with us today!
