Living Sky Grains
Living Sky Grains is a 13,824-acre dry land grain farm located northwest of Three Forks, Montana. Owners Franck and Kari Groenweg grow a variety of small grains and pulse crops implementing highly intentional regenerative practices like no-till to minimize disturbance of the soil and continuous cropping to keep living roots in the ground year round. After farming for 18 years in Saskatchewan, the Groenwegs found the farm of their dreams in 2019 when Dean and Hope Forklund, founders of the Wheat Montana Brand, were searching for the right people to continue running the land as a family-owned and operated farm. Today, Living Sky Grains is a testament to family, regenerative agriculture, and giving back to the earth as much, or more, than the crops they harvest.
Product Types
Operation Highlights
Region Conditions:
Montana
Montana experiences a varied climate, ranging from semi-arid to continental. Summers are generally warm with low humidity, while winters are cold with significant snowfall, particularly in mountainous regions. Montana’s agriculture is diverse, with wheat, barley, hay, and pulse crops being significant. The state’s large size and low population density present challenges for agricultural infrastructure and transportation.
The Principals of Soil Health in Practice on Living Sky Grains
Nurturing the soil is the foundation of regenerative agriculture. At Regenified, we measure the implementation of all six soil health principles because they are essential for regeneration. Each principle contributes to the soil’s overall health, creating a system greater than the sum of its parts.
Right Context
100% of crops grown are appropriate for region
Right Context
Farmers prioritize growing plants and animals suited to their specific environment. By understanding their unique context, they can optimize production while minimizing external inputs.
Minimized Disturbance
100% no-till on all crop acres
Minimized Disturbance
Rather than tilling or using chemicals that disrupt soil structure and microbial life, regenerative farmers embrace no-till practices and minimize chemical inputs to preserve the integrity of the soil.
Soil Armor
80% of soil is covered by crops and decomposing plant residue.
Soil Armor
Keeping the soil covered with organic matter such as cover crops or crop residues prevents erosion, improves water infiltration and retention while also providing habitat for beneficial organisms.
Enhanced Diversity
Excellent diversity in crop rotation
Enhanced Diversity
Maximizing diversity within both plant species and beneficial organisms above and below ground enhances ecosystem resilience and promotes natural pest control.
Living Root
90% of operations maintain living roots over the active growing season.
Living Root
Maintaining living roots in the soil at all times ensures continuous nutrient cycling by supporting microbial activity crucial for healthy soils.
Animal Integration
Adding livestock would drive gains in ecosystem outcomes
Animal Integration
Integrating livestock into farming systems allows for the symbiotic relationship between animals and the land. Their grazing patterns contribute to nutrient cycling and improve soil fertility.
Right Context
100% of crops grown are appropriate for region
Right Context
Farmers prioritize growing plants and animals suited to their specific environment. By understanding their unique context, they can optimize production while minimizing external inputs.
Minimized Disturbance
100% no-till on all crop acres
Minimized Disturbance
Rather than tilling or using chemicals that disrupt soil structure and microbial life, regenerative farmers embrace no-till practices and minimize chemical inputs to preserve the integrity of the soil.
Soil Armor
80% of soil is covered by crops and decomposing plant residue.
Soil Armor
Keeping the soil covered with organic matter such as cover crops or crop residues prevents erosion, improves water infiltration and retention while also providing habitat for beneficial organisms.
Enhanced Diversity
Excellent diversity in crop rotation
Enhanced Diversity
Maximizing diversity within both plant species and beneficial organisms above and below ground enhances ecosystem resilience and promotes natural pest control.
Living Root
90% of operations maintain living roots over the active growing season.
Living Root
Maintaining living roots in the soil at all times ensures continuous nutrient cycling by supporting microbial activity crucial for healthy soils.
Animal Integration
Adding livestock would drive gains in ecosystem outcomes
Animal Integration
Integrating livestock into farming systems allows for the symbiotic relationship between animals and the land. Their grazing patterns contribute to nutrient cycling and improve soil fertility.
A Word From the Farm
Ecosystem Outcomes
Ecosystem processes are the interconnected systems that drive the health and resilience of our land and water resources. Good land management positively impacts those ecosystem processes. Our Verification Standard evaluates these vital processes, ensuring the regeneration of the ecosystem.
Energy Flow
Energy capture is on the right path, enabled by thoughtful management practices.
Energy Flow
Energy flow is all about solar energy or photosynthesis. Unlike the water cycle and mineral cycle, solar energy does not cycle. It flows from the sun to the earth. It is necessary for everything on the planet to survive. Leaving enough plant material behind for its process to occur is crucial to all life.
Water Cycle
Water infiltration and retention is steadily improving.
Water Cycle
In the water cycle, when precipitation reaches the land, farmers and ranchers play a crucial role in determining the water available for plants and animals. With good management practices, they can capture and retain more water, ensuring a healthier ecosystem.
Nutrient Cycle
Fewer inputs will be needed to grow crops as soil biology recovers season by season.
Nutrient Cycle
The nutrient cycle only works effectively when we have good soil biology and microbiology working for us. Bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life in the soil play important roles in cycling nutrients from air and water, making the nutrients accessible to plants.
Diversity
Biodiversity is increasing as soil health profile continues to improve.
Diversity
The greater the diversity that exists in our ecosystem, the better everything functions. This includes plant, insect, bird and other wildlife species diversity. This is also sometimes called biological succession. It involves the changes in the development of all living things.
Energy Flow
Energy capture is on the right path, enabled by thoughtful management practices.
Energy Flow
Energy flow is all about solar energy or photosynthesis. Unlike the water cycle and mineral cycle, solar energy does not cycle. It flows from the sun to the earth. It is necessary for everything on the planet to survive. Leaving enough plant material behind for its process to occur is crucial to all life.
Water Cycle
Water infiltration and retention is steadily improving.
Water Cycle
In the water cycle, when precipitation reaches the land, farmers and ranchers play a crucial role in determining the water available for plants and animals. With good management practices, they can capture and retain more water, ensuring a healthier ecosystem.
Nutrient Cycle
Fewer inputs will be needed to grow crops as soil biology recovers season by season.
Nutrient Cycle
The nutrient cycle only works effectively when we have good soil biology and microbiology working for us. Bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life in the soil play important roles in cycling nutrients from air and water, making the nutrients accessible to plants.
Diversity
Biodiversity is increasing as soil health profile continues to improve.
Diversity
The greater the diversity that exists in our ecosystem, the better everything functions. This includes plant, insect, bird and other wildlife species diversity. This is also sometimes called biological succession. It involves the changes in the development of all living things.
Living Sky Grains - Gallery
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