OUR PROGRAMS
SaskSoil is a non-profit, producer-based organization dedicated to advancing agricultural systems for the benefit of future generations. Our mission is to be the leading source of science-based soil health information and to promote beneficial management practices that optimize production and increase profitability while enhancing soil resilience.
MARS Program
The Marginal Areas Rehabilitation in Saskatchewan (MARS) program encourages the conversion of marginal cropland into
perennial forage while increasing your profits while farming fewer acres.
Farm Resilience Mentorship Program
FaRM is a free learning hub offering online resources, access to experienced farmer mentors, and a network of farmers in your region and across Canada to help you adopt practices that reduce emissions and build soil resilience.
OUR IMPACT
Since 1990, SaskSoil has delivered a range of agricultural research and technology transfer projects aligned with our mission to promote farming systems that improve soil health and environmental sustainability. Through major contracts and collaborative initiatives, we’ve advanced practical, science-based solutions for producers across Saskatchewan. Our work is carried out by skilled contract staff, ensuring that each project contributes meaningfully to the long-term health of our land and agricultural communities.
Direct Seeding Extension
1990 - 2004
The Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA) - now SaskSoil - played an integral role in promoting the adoption of conservation tillage and direct seeding in Saskatchewan. SSCA provided technology transfer and communication efforts to promote sustainable farming systems including direct seeding systems and winter wheat production, including:
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Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Soil Conservation -- January 1990 to March 1994
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Saskatchewan Soil Enhancement Project -- April 1994 to March 1997
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Innovation Fund (AFIF) – Sustainable Agriculture, Producer Directed Information Delivery – April 1, 1997 to March 31, 2000
Climate Change Policy
Prairie Soil Carbon Balance Project
1994 - 2005
1996 - 2006
Since 1994, SaskSoil has been at the forefront of promoting agricultural soil sinks as part of Canada’s greenhouse gas strategy. As a member of the federal “Sinks Table,” SaskSoil worked with national and provincial partners to advocate for the inclusion of agriculture in climate policies. We helped launch Canada’s first agricultural soil sink carbon trade through Environment Canada’s PERRL initiative, selling temporary emission removals from zero-till farms across the country. Today, SaskSoil continues to shape climate policy by participating in stakeholder committees, advising provincial and federal policymakers, and developing carbon market tools—like carbon leasing—that reward producers for their stewardship.
This research project, initiated in 1996, is designed to determine the changes in soil carbon levels after conversion to direct seeding systems. This project is being coordinated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Semi-Arid Prairie Research Centre. 120 benchmark sites throughout Saskatchewan were established on farmers fields in the fall of 1996. The benchmark sites were resampled in 1999 and 2005. The SSCA identified farm cooperators, ensured that treatments were carried out by the cooperators and helped with site sampling, and collects benchmark site histories to facilitate future measurements. This project was co-funded by GEMCo from 1997-1999.
GHG Mitigation Program
2004 – 2006
The Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program (GHGMP) was a national program to demonstrate and promote best management practices that either reduce GHG emissions or sequester soil carbon. The SSCA operates the soil and nutrient management component of this program in Saskatchewan. The objective of this program is to promote low disturbance direct seeding systems, reduced fallow, increased forage production, and improved fertilizer and manure management in both annual and perennial crops. This project was co-funded by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
Extension & Technology Transfer
2002 - 2008
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Prairie Soils and Crops eJournal development – 2007 – 2008: This Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) project developed a farmer-friendly eJournal that aims to bring unbiased, peer-reviewed soil and crop management information to Saskatchewan producers, crop advisors and agrologists.
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Canadian Agricultural Producers Addressing Environmental Issues (Saskatchewan) – 2006 – 2007: CAPAEI was a national program to demonstrate and promote Agri-Environmental beneficial management practices.
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Winter Wheat Core Grower program – 2002 - 2004: Ducks Unlimited Canada contracted SSCA to implement a winter wheat extension program in their priority areas. This involved field demonstrations and tours, extension meetings, and one on one consultations for producers.
Water Management
2021 - 2022
In partnership with the Water Security Agency, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, and Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm, this project explores how regenerative practices and fertility management affect wetland soils and areas impacted by drainage. The goal is to demonstrate how to design and implement balanced water management plans that support both farm productivity and ecological health. Future phases will evaluate how agronomic practices like tillage, variable-rate fertility, and novel cropping systems can reduce nutrient runoff.