I've been in organic farming since the early '80s. Looking back, I recall the days when tillage was a cornerstone of our practices. We used cover crops sparingly, mostly because of their cost, and our rotations were fairly limited. These practices were handed down to me.

 

But as the years carried on, it became evident that the farming landscape was shifting. Yields were dwindling, crop quality was on the decline, and the pressure from relentless weeds was unyielding. 

 

The very profitability of organic farming seemed to hang in the balance, casting uncertainty on the future.

 

It was during this transformation that soil health, the growth of organic matter, and the buzz surrounding biology was becoming more prevalent in the media. They were being hailed as the "next green revolution." 

 

My journey in organic farming had familiarized me with the concept of soil health, thanks to my university studies and years of attending conferences.

 

It was no longer something I could ignore. 

 

Conversations with fellow farmers revealed a common narrative—we were all grappling with the same dilemma, the challenge of growing a good crop.

 

The turning point came at an organic conference. 

 

I vividly recall the moment a soil scientist presented a 15-year experiment. Extensive tillage, limited rotations, and cover cropping were the hallmarks of this trial. The results were eerily reminiscent of the challenges I had been facing.

 

I was 50 years old then, an age when changing one's ways isn't the easiest choice. I embarked on a personal journey to view farming through a different lens, embracing a systems approach and incorporating regen ag practices. 

 

The transition came with its set of risks, and there were added costs, especially in a dryland region. But the call to give back to the land for the generations that would follow was unwavering.

 

Farmers say their grandfathers were great farmers, their dads did OK, and they are struggling. The answer to that riddle lies in their soil. ~ Jay Fuhrer

 

In my quest to rejuvenate the soil, I encountered a wealth of information on soil improvement. But I faced the same question many do—where to begin? 

 

That's when organic inputs and biologicals entered the scene, offering a bridge to mend the gap left by depleted nutrients and microbes.

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It became a good fit to trial products on my farm to see what actually works and what doesn’t.

 

This journey ultimately led to the start of Top Horizon Ag Inputs.

 

It's not just a business; it's a reflection of my experiences. Using these products on my own farm gave me firsthand insights into their effects. I realized that the results could be quite diverse, shaped by factors like soil type, climate, and different farming practices.

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Robert Galarneau~ Clearview Farms