Verge Permaculture Merges with 5th World to Enhance Sustainability Education and Regenerative Agriculture Solutions

Sep 05, 2023

Verge Permaculture, a leading provider of practical and useful educational courses for permaculture design and sustainability, has announced its merger with 5th World, a renowned consulting firm specializing in land regeneration, renewable energy greenhouse design, and construction, and regenerative agriculture discussions. The merger is expected to amplify their collective efforts to promote sustainable practices and regenerative agriculture solutions.

Verge Permaculture, now named 'Verge from 5th World' and founded by Rob and Michelle Avis, has been a pioneer in providing hands-on permaculture education to individuals seeking to create sustainable systems on their land, farm, or home. With a focus on practical application and regenerative practices, Verge Permaculture has empowered groups of students, farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and engineers to design and implement resilient systems that promote ecological health and abundance.

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Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.