Carbon Smart Farms Teams with Assured Renewables

Sep 23, 2025
By Farms.com

Saskatchewan biochar project powers farms

Carbon Smart Farms in Saskatchewan has announced a strategic partnership with Calgary-based Assured Renewables Canada to install and operate 10 advanced pyrolysis systems across the province. These systems will convert agricultural waste from crops such as flax, hemp, corn, and wheat into biochar, a carbon-negative product that enriches soil, stores carbon and creates new revenue streams for farmers.

The first fully permitted pyrolysis unit is set to begin commissioning in early 2026 on a farm north of Regina, starting a province-wide rollout. When complete, the network will process thousands of tonnes of agricultural residue each year and produce renewable energy to help develop future greenhouses that enhance community food security.

Carbon Smart Farms is also collaborating with Cowessess Ventures Ltd., drawing on more than 1,000 years of First Nation knowledge of using char to naturally regenerate soil. The resulting biochar will be marketed under the Indigenous brand “Awasis,” meaning “little child,” reflecting its focus on nurturing the land for future generations.

“I believe this initiative and partnership will be the first of its kind in Canada and underpins our guiding principles of stewardship and regeneration of the lands we all rely on for sustenance, food security, nutrition, and well-being,” said Jake Sinclair, CEO of Cowessess Ventures Ltd.

Assured Renewables brings over 20 years of global experience in advanced thermal treatment systems, having deployed solutions on four continents. “This partnership shows what’s possible when agriculture and clean technology align,” said Spokesperson of Assured Renewables Canada. “Together, we’re helping Saskatchewan farmers access new revenue streams while supporting Canada’s climate commitments.”

By transforming crop waste into durable carbon storage and renewable energy, this project positions Saskatchewan as a leader in biochar production and carbon sequestration. It supports Canada’s climate goals, creates rural jobs, and promotes sustainable resource management, demonstrating how farming and clean technology can work together for a healthier environment and stronger farm economy.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmytro-diedov

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.