b'CLIMATE SMART COMPANIES Acadian Plant HealthDartmouth, Nova ScotiaEnsuring a Sustainable HarvestAt Acadian Plant Health, sustainability is at the forefront of everything they do. Acadian believes it is possible to improve crop production while respecting the envi-ronment. This starts from the way they harvest to their end products. Acadian carefully oversees every stage to ensure they are in step with being a company that respects the planet. Raw material for its biostimulant products, based on a type of seaweed, is gathered using harvesting tools that are gentle on the ecosystem and allow for quick regrowth of the resource. Harvesting less than 25 per cent of the allowed quota, its resource management system has led to a seaweed stock that is more plentiful and healthy today than it was 30 years ago. Ellis SeedsWawanesa, Man. Proving theyre meeting the stringent standards set under new regulatory requirements, Acadian Plant Health Creating a Climate-Friendly Seed Company is one of the first biostimulant companies to earn registra-tion under the European Unions new Fertilizing Product Ellis Seeds strives to be a leader in environmentalRegulation (FPR) as part of the EU Green Deal.action. The use of solar panels to power its cleaning/ The new regula-processing facility and heat its office and shop wastion was created in the first step. From there theyve planted an acre ofpart to promote sus-wildflowers to help provide habitat for pollinatorstainable agricultural and have worked with partner Black Creek Farm tostrategies in a low-develop water retention ponds and repair ripariancarbon economy areas.through stronger Ellis Seeds is currently in the process of replacingregulations on its passenger vehicle fleet with hybrid cars and trucks. safety, quality, and Our business is closely tied to the environment,labelling require-and we want to do as much as we possibly can.ments for fertilizer Reducing our impact is critical. My wife Amanda andproducts.I have two young kids, so we want to make sure thatBeyond that, were doing everything we can to leave a really goodit provides the farm and seed business to them if they choose to getcompany with an involved one day, says owner Simon Ellis. opportunity to provide an alternative solution in reducing Aside from that, it seems like were getting moresynthetic chemical and fertilizer use.and more volatile weather events, so were looking atAcadians seaweed extract solutions are positioned to ways where we can mitigate our risk of that and pre- play a vital and positive role in transforming global agri-pare for it. Were looking at different ways that we cancultureall in a way that successfully meets the chal-kind of manage those extremes a little bit if we can. lenges we face today and tomorrow, says Sarah Maude, Ellis Seeds is a registered seed establishment, withvice-president of technology for Acadian Plant Health. HACCP certification and an accredited seed treaterOur solutions can help deliver on the vision of the Green through the Agrichemical Warehousing StandardsDeal, while ensuring farmers can continue to achieve the Association. The processing facility has been designedresults they expect.to process a wide range of crop types, to stay aheadAcadians products are eco-friendly and eco-efficient, of changes in farming needs or climate change pres- manufactured with a commitment to improve energy sures. efficiency and waste reduction at all stages of production. As new technologies present themselves, EllisAll of the valuable raw material is used throughout the Seeds will research and implement technology thatprocess. Acadians crop biostimulant products are also will reduce its environmental footprint, Ellis adds. compatible with most other agricultural products.12GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2022'