About Scott Gillespie

 I have 16 years experience in dryland and irrigated specialty crop agriculture in Southern Alberta, Canada. Starting out in conventional agriculture with an interest in regenerative practices, I made the switch in my consulting practice five years ago to focus on the transitional stage of this process.

I have purposely kept my business consulting only. I do not sell any of the products that could be used in regenerative agriculture because I want to be free to recommend what is best for my clients. Sometimes the best advice is to use what you already have. I am not tied up in any software that clients need to use. Most importantly, I do not have systems to follow. I work one on one to learn what will work best for my clients.

I can never remember a time that agriculture was not a part of my life. I grew up on a corn & soybean farm in Ontario. All of my off-farm jobs while growing up were agriculture related - from collecting eggs at a neighbours’ chicken farm, to working at corn breeding plots, and finally to working at an agricultural input company mixing fertilizer and distributing chemicals.

When it came time to look for post-secondary education I knew that agriculture had many jobs that I could do and a degree in it would set me up to take over the farm if I wanted to. I went to the University of Guelph where I attained my B.Sc (Agr.) and soon after had employment at an agricultural inputs company.

I had thought of a masters degree but I needed a break from school. This was a good decision as it helped me to clarify what it was that I wanted to do. I had a housemate who was an organic farmer and this helped me to see a side of agriculture that I had no experience in. Though I liked what I saw I knew conventional farmers would never fully embrace the organic way. When a project came up that tried to blend the two systems I was all for it. We would call this regenerative now; at the time the term was just being developed. After attaining my M.Sc. in Plant Science I moved further west to Alberta, where I currently live and work.

After my first season in the field I studied for, and passed, my Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) exams. This status must be maintained through continuing education and I exceed the standards every year. Practicing agronomy in Alberta also requires membership in the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (which covers all aspects of plant and soil work including environmental and oil & gas reclamation). I am registered and am a member in good standing as my ongoing education for my CCA helps to maintain my Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) designation.

Prior to starting my consulting company I spent 5 years working as an agronomist solely focused on potatoes. For the following 6 years I worked at a farm that specialized in potatoes but also grew other crops such as seed canola, soybeans, yellow peas, winter & spring wheat, and barley. I still spend a lot of time in these core crops but I’ve also been able to expand into quinoa and hemp.

I love the challenge of new crop. Lately I’ve specialized in cover crops. Many see them as a secondary crop but I know that treating them to be something that is just as important as your cash crops is the way to make them pay. Cover crops are the main tool of regenerative agriculture but there is so much more to it.

If you think I’d be a good fit to your operation please don’t hesitate to get ahold of me. If you want to know more about how I think through the issues be sure to check out my podcast.

To learn about the origins of the name Plants Dig Soil™ check out this article.

To learn more about my specific work & education experience go to LinkedIn.

If you’re looking for quick information bites check out Twitter.

For in-depth thoughts on #RealisticRegenAg check out my podcast.

To talk to me about consulting contact me anytime.