Melyse Renwick
Sustainability Specialist
Great Lakes Grain
Sustainability in agriculture is no longer a future goal; it’s a key part of everyday farming and essential to long-term success. As global demand for food continues to rise alongside environmental challenges, responsible farming practices are more important than ever. \
At Great Lakes Grain (GLG), we are committed to supporting growers with programs that strengthen farm profitability and environmental stewardship, which contribute to the legacy of the farm. One key initiative is the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI), a globally recognized framework that helps improve environmental, social, and economic resilience in food-grade crop production.
What Is the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI)?The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) is a globally recognized framework designed to improve the environmental, social, and economic resilience in food grade crop production. SAI is designed to be practical and adaptable, allowing growers to apply sustainability principles in ways that fit their farms, crops, and regional realities while meeting internationally recognized standards.
SAI main goals:
- Promoting environmentally and socially responsible farming practices
- Supporting traceability and transparency in agricultural supply chains
- Harmonizing sustainability standards across companies and regions
- Helping companies measure and improve sustainability performance
This allows growers in Ontario to stay competitive while meeting increasing demand for sustainably produced grain.
Key Focus Areas of Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI)
The SAI program centers around several core pillars of sustainability:
- Soil Health – maintaining productive, resilient soils
- Biodiversity – protecting and supporting natural ecosystems
- Water Stewardship – responsible use and protection of water resources
- Climate Impact – reducing emissions and improving efficiency
- Responsible Labor Practices – ensuring safe and ethical working conditions
These focus areas help create a balanced approach that supports both farm productivity and long‑term land stewardship.
How Growers Are Measured
Growers participating in SAI are evaluated based on their sustainability practices and performance through the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA). Each operation is then awarded a rating; bronze, silver & gold.
Through Great Lakes Grain’s support and the strong stewardship already demonstrated across our region, many participating growers are achieving silver status upon entering the program, with clear opportunities to advance to gold certification over time.
Great Lakes Grain’s Role in Supporting Growers
Great Lakes Grain plays an important role in making sustainability both achievable and practical on the farm. We support growers by providing:
- Access to sustainability programs like SAI
- Tools and resources to track performance
- Expertise and guidance throughout the process
- Connections to premium markets seeking sustainably produced grain
Our goal is to ensure growers are not navigating sustainability alone but instead are supported in every step of the way.
Building a Sustainable Future in Grain Production
As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, strong partnerships and access to reliable information are more important than ever. Programs like SAI help growers measure progress, improve over time, and demonstrate the value of their practices in the marketplace.
Through the dedication of our growers and GLG’s ongoing commitment, we are helping deliver measurable results and sustainably produced grains to end users.
Interested in advancing sustainability on your farm?
To learn more about Great Lakes Grain’s sustainability programs, including the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, contact your local grain originator. Our team is ready to help you explore opportunities, improve your sustainability performance, and connect with premium markets.