For Bob Bennett, farming is more than producing crops and raising livestock. It’s about leaving the land in better shape for the next generation.

Bennett is vice-president of Wm. Bennett & Sons Farms Ltd. near Gorrie, ON. He works alongside his parents, three sons and staff to manage a large operation focused on finishing beef cattle, raising pigs and growing crops across nearly 6,300 acres.

Cows in one of the barns at the farm of Bob Bennett on May 5, 2026. Photo by James Wood/CANZA

Bennett is also a Flagship Farm in Cohort 1 of CANZA’s Million Acre Challenge Program, joining with the goal of improving soil health and finding new ways to make the farm more efficient and productive.

As part of the program, he has dedicated more than 560 acres of corn to testing controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer over the next three years. The corn grown on those acres will eventually be used in cattle feed rations.

Baseline soil organic carbon testing for the program began in early May with Agricarbon, giving Bennett an opportunity to observe the process firsthand.

Agricarbon carries out soil organic carbon testing at the farm of Bob Bennett near Gorrie, Ontario, om May 5, 2026. Photo by James Wood/CANZA

“We’re moving at a good pace, and showing good promise,” said Bennett.

“This gives us the baseline for what we’re trying to accomplish (in the MAC program) and it’s been painless, seamless and straightforward.”

The Million Acre Challenge is currently focused on farms across southern Ontario, with plans to expand to 365,000 acres over the next five years. Around 30 farmers representing roughly 15,000 acres are participating in the first cohort. Bennett and his Certified Crop Advisor, Jeff Jacques, are compensated for their participation in the program.

For Bennett, the value of the project is part of a larger shift in agriculture, with farmers adapting to changing technology, environmental pressures and production demands.

“One of the worst comments you can ever make is ‘Well, Grandpa did it this way 40 years ago, why would you change?’” said Bennett.

“Well, the world is changing. Everything is changing, so fast. If (there are) certain things, we can slightly change, with soil nutrients and grain technology, growth down the road, and produce better crops off fewer acres, do things better, maybe cheaper, then it’s not bad information to have.”

After the early stages of the program, Bennett says he is encouraged by what he has seen so far and optimistic about what the next three years could bring.

“We can leave our soil, our land, in a better condition for the next generation coming on, doing things better, cheaper, and more productive,” he said.

“That’s the whole goal of farming. Making sure everyone can eat, and prosper.”

Published: 2026/05/12