Frequently Asked Questions

A: ABOV was formed in 2017.

A: ABOV is a non-profit organization based in Canada. Most of the farms we certify are independently owned and operated in Canada. We occasionally work with US startup farms who ask for help in transitioning to regenerative methodologies.

A: All farms can transform their operations to regenerative farming methods; these include dairy, livestock, food crop production, and other types of farms. ABOV specifically certifies soil-based agricultural farms (of any size) that grow food and plants. However, we encourage all farms to implement regenerative methods and discover the difference for themselves.

A: Before you start, you need to make sure you qualify. All farms that seek ABOV-certification must already be certified organic, meeting the Canadian Organic Standards (CGSB 32.310-2020 and 311-2020) as well as Safe Food for Canadian Regulations – or similar organic certification (USDA Organic certification) requirements that are regionally applicable and enforced by local law. If you meet those requirements, contact us and we will send an information package to get you started.

Note that ABOV is not a mass-certifying organization. Our resources enable us to better engage in certifying a select number of farms each year: we prefer to focus on the quality of our certifications, rather than the quantity.

A: If you’re ready to commit to regenerative farming, your first step is to enrol your farm into ABOV’s certification program. Next, you would procure an independent, third-party lab to conduct initial soil tests on your farm to set a baseline for your current operation. The results of those soil tests would be sent to ABOV for verification and recording.

ABOV then provides information and guidance about regenerative farming methods to consider for your farm. After this consultation, you make a commitment and create a plan for your farm that includes methods and verifiable targets. These targets may be based on yearly increases of land apportioned to regenerative methods, or on a percentage of crop volume. Additionally, your farm’s plan includes both short-term (1, 3, 6, and 12-month) goals as well as long-term (3 and 5-year) objectives. Annual progress should be verifiable and demonstrable.

Your plan is shared with ABOV, and if approved, you would put that plan into action. Implementation happens over the course of a year. Another soil test is conducted after the first year, to measure and verify the effects of your efforts on soil health. These lab results, as well as any additional initiatives and goals you wish to add to your plan, are shared with ABOV. Based on the implementation of your plan and your commitments to regenerative farming, ABOV issues a certificate to your farm.

A: Times vary based on each farm, but ABOV certification takes a minimum of 1 year.

A: ABOV certification requires you to pay for an independent, third-party lab to conduct an annual soil test. Annual lab test fees are set and collected by the independent lab, not ABOV; the fees are paid directly by you to the lab. Certification in ABOV has a one-time enrolment fee of $1,000; this fee is kept low to simply cover administrative and certification costs. In today’s world, the business model for farms is difficult. We’re not here to stifle farm resources, we’re here to uplift them.

A: Laboratories offering soil testing and analysis services should be ISO 17025 accredited to conduct Soil Organic Carbon, pH, P/K/Mg, Bulk Density, and Total Nitrogen tests.

ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for testing and calibration laboratories. Labs that have been accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard have proven technical competence, consistency and impartiality. Some labs may additionally adhere to ISO 18400 – a more specific set of standards for Soil Quality Sampling.

In Canada, most provinces maintain lists of ISO /IEC 17025 and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) accredited laboratories through their Ministry of Agriculture; in the United States, state agricultural agencies will post similar directories. Many universities offer soil testing services through department of Agriculture laboratories.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), through its North American Proficiency Testing, publishes a Lab Directory for both American and Canadian agricultural laboratories who have proven proficient in the evaluation of soil, plant, and water samples.

A: ABOV provides practical guidance and assistance in transitioning to regenerative farming. If you’re interested in making the commitment to more holistic farming methods, we’re here to help. In addition to support, we issue a certificate that independently verifies your commitment to regenerative farming. We also grant you the right to use the ABOV logo, to represent your farm as a member of the regenerative community. Our approach is business-friendly, our fees reasonable.

A: Note that ABOV is not a mass-certifying organization. Our resources enable us to better engage in certifying a select number of farms each year: we prefer to focus on the quality of our certifications, rather than the quantity.