At One Diploma Organics, we consider each ingredient has a narrative value telling. Understanding the place your meals comes from, how it’s grown, and whether or not it’s secure for your loved ones begins with the farms and farmers who make all of it doable. At the moment, we’re excited to provide you a behind-the-scenes have a look at the work, dedication, and planning that go into capturing these tales and bringing them to your desk with each ingredient we supply.
The view of the Rocky Mountains from our flight to Edmonton
Our journey started with a brief flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s fifth-largest metropolis. From there, we set out on a 500 km (300 mi) drive by way of the huge Canadian prairies, a area identified for producing among the highest-quality oats on the planet. Our vacation spot was Manning, Alberta, dwelling to the Rabiey household farm.
The Peace River flowing alongside the Rabiey Farm
Brad Rabiey’s household farm is positioned close to the 1923 km (1195 mi) Peace River; a spot Brad has referred to as dwelling his complete life and the place he’s now elevating his personal kids. Rising up within the space, Brad spent numerous hours fishing alongside the riverbanks, serving to on the household farm, and exploring the rolling countryside that surrounds it.
The Rabiey Household Farm
This journey to Manning marked our fourth go to with the Rabiey household, and every go to feels just a little extra like catching up with previous mates.
We final visited the Rabiey household farm throughout harvest season in 2025
As all the time, it was great to spend time with your complete household. Birch shared that he has not too long ago found a ardour for baking and has even began creating his personal recipes, one thing we’re already wanting ahead to attempting on a future go to. He additionally proudly informed us about driving within the mix final 12 months and confirmed that his dad was proper through the harvest video we created, in saying the mix is loads like enjoying PlayStation.
Kathy greeting Rebecca and Birch for the primary time since her final go to in 2025
What makes these visits so particular is just not solely seeing how the crops have grown, however how the households behind them have grown too. After 4 visits, we’ve watched fields change, farms develop, and kids develop up and uncover new pursuits alongside the best way. We’re actually grateful to the Rabiey household for persevering with to welcome us onto their farm and for sharing a real look into their lives, their work, and the care that goes into each harvest.
Study extra about our first go to to the Rabiey farm
Farming Alongside the Peace River
Identified for its fertile soils and exceptionally lengthy summer time days, with daylight usually stretching from 4 am till practically 10 pm, the Peace River has change into considered one of Canada’s most efficient farming areas.
Farmers across the space had been getting ready their fields for seeding season
Alongside the drive in the direction of Manning, we handed by way of historic communities akin to Whitecourt and Peace River, surrounded by farmland stretching so far as the attention may see. We noticed a little bit of Canadian wildlife, and some oil pumpjacks alongside the horizon which isn’t any shock since Alberta accounts for about 90% of Canada’s oil manufacturing.
The welcome signal for Peace River
Lots of the farm fields we handed had already been ready for the upcoming rising season, with farmers intently watching the climate and ready for the correct situations to start seeding. Like many throughout the area, the Rabiey household confronted a difficult spring of unpredictable climate and heavy rainfall that left soils too moist to work.
Though the journey was lengthy, seeing firsthand how our grains are seeded, and witnessing the real-time challenges farmers navigate, brings a deeper appreciation for the resilience, endurance, and dedication it takes to develop clear, high-quality elements.
This was the farm land we seen on our drive to Brad Rabiey’s farm
By the point we arrived on the Rabiey farm, Brad and his dad had been already in the course of seeding their natural fields earlier than the rain got here in. Throughout wet seasons, fieldwork can come to a standstill, so each sunny day counts.
Brad Rabiey driving the seed drill machine across the area he simply seeded
Like many farmers throughout the area, Brad was preserving an in depth eye on the climate whereas working lengthy hours to take advantage of each alternative. It is a excellent instance of how our farmers work with nature to provide the very best crops. Nature units the timing, and our farmers do the arduous work of seeding, sustaining, harvesting, and rising wholesome meals.
Brad displaying us the moisture degree of the soil
Rebecca shared simply how demanding the previous few weeks had been for Brad and his dad. On a couple of event, Brad was within the area till 1 am, solely to be again up a number of hours later and heading out once more.
Kathy Smith catching up with Rebecca and Birch Rabiey
We had been lucky sufficient to spend time with Brad through the busiest occasions of 12 months on the seed drill whereas him and his dad labored the fields. A seed drill is a bit of farm tools that vegetation seeds at a constant depth and spacing within the soil. It helps guarantee higher seed-to-soil contact, improves germination, and creates extra even crop progress than merely scattering seeds on the bottom.
Kathy strolling to get into the drill seed machine for a spherical across the farm with Brad Rabiey
Brad additionally mirrored on how a lot farming has modified over time. Trendy tools permits farmers to seed way more effectively than earlier generations ever may. He laughed as he talked about how, not all that way back, farmers relied on horses and hand labour to get crops within the floor which took days and weeks to seed in comparison with doing it in 1 / 4 of the time because of advance machines.
Brad Rabiey within the seed drill
Because the acres handed by outdoors the seed drill window, it was simple to see that farming is greater than a occupation for Brad. It’s a lifestyle, deeply related to household, group, and the land he’s proud to name dwelling.
Kathy and Brad strolling on the Rabiey’s newly seeded farm
From Standard to Natural Farming
Probably the most attention-grabbing components of our go to was listening to the conversations between Brad and his dad.
Brad grew up farming alongside his dad on land that was as soon as labored and owned by his grandfather. Whereas they share a deep love for farming, they’ve totally different views on the way it must be completed. Brad’s dad, who describes himself as old style, usually jokes that typical farming is the better route.
Brad’s Dad and Kathy Smith catching up on the Rabiey farm
Nonetheless, Brad sees issues just a little otherwise. He believes that simpler is just not all the time higher. For him, natural farming is about taking a extra hands-on method, paying shut consideration to soil well being, crop rotations, and the long-term well being of the land. Brad highlighted that though there are numerous typical farms across the space his farm which is smaller can yield extra with every harvest in comparison with typical farms which he hopes is motivation for typical farmers to make the change.
Brad Rabiey explaining what a seed drill machine does
As we rode collectively within the seed drill Brad defined that natural farming requires extra planning and extra time within the area, however he believes the additional effort is value it. Producing wholesome, high-quality meals whereas caring for the land for future generations is what motivates him.
Alonna and Brad within the seed drill machine
We additionally must say how necessary the help of household is, though Brad and his dad had spent hours on the farm engaged on seeding, Rebecca and Brad’s mother are preserving the home operating by doing laundry, cooking, cleansing and residential education their two sons Birch and Discipline. With out their help Brad explains the work him and his dad do on the sphere wouldn’t be doable.
The Rabiey household having enjoyable on their farm throughout our 2025 go to
Watching Brad and his dad work facet by facet was a reminder that each era brings a unique perspective to the farm, however each share the identical purpose of rising the perfect crop doable.
That is the farm the Rabiey’s bought a number of years in the past
One of many highlights this 12 months was seeing a farm that Brad bought a number of years in the past. Beforehand operated conventionally, the land has been fastidiously transitioned to an natural farm. Brad defined that earlier than he may develop natural oats, he spent three years constructing soil fertility by way of crop rotations that included peas, faba beans, and flax. By the point we arrived, the sphere had been midway seeded with its first natural oat crop, the identical oats that can ultimately make their approach to our facility for processing.
Oats being saved in silos from 2025 harvest season
The brand new farm sits alongside the household’s present natural acreage and has allowed them to develop their operation. Nonetheless, Brad and his dad are intentional about progress. As a result of natural farming requires a lot hands-on administration, they like to develop at a tempo that permits them to keep up the standard and care they put into each area.
That is the oats that had been seeded on Brad’s Farm (He solely makes use of the perfect oat crops to seed)
We additionally need to take this time to provide a particular shoutout to our videographer, Ethan, who brings these tales to life on display. That always means operating behind a mix kicked up with mud, squeezing into tight areas inside equipment to seize a farmer’s standpoint, or trekking throughout uneven fields with heavy tools in tow to get the correct shot. It takes a whole lot of effort behind the scenes to deliver full transparency from area to desk, and we’re grateful to everybody who helps make that doable.
Ethan getting pictures of Brad seeding in motion
This is likely one of the busiest time of 12 months for Brad. After this season, Brad says, all you are able to do is wait and hope that each seed planted grows into a greater harvest than the 12 months earlier than. It’s a steady cycle, however one formed by continuously altering parts that make every day distinctive.
Our first go to to Brad Rabiey’s farm in 2024
One factor that is still fixed is the fervour, dedication, and resilience behind rising clear elements. It’s a craft and a type of artwork that Brad Rabiey and his dad appear to have refined right into a science. We will’t wait to see this newly seeded crop develop.
Keep tuned on our Fb, Instagram, and Publication to observe the complete seeding story and comply with how our oats are grown from seed to reap.
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