Mike Main, M.Sc.

Research Associate
Organic Agriculture Center of Canada
Nova Scotia Agricultural College

Regional Field Manager,
Organic Meadows Cooperative

Growing up on a beef farm & woodlot in Nova Scotia, I developed a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and forestry. I studied soil science at NSAC, graduating with a BSc. in 1988.

My activities between 1988 and 1999 included work in soil conservation and organic soybean production in the West Indies (6 months), operating the family farm (beef/sheep/market garden) for 5 years, managing a farm for a rehabilitation center (18 months), and working in milk recording, ration formulation, and dairy management advisory with ADLIC (then, our Maritime DHI company, 5 years).

In 2001, I graduated from NSAC with a MSc. in analysis of sustainability of Maritime dairy production. This work led me to appreciate the value of forage feeding and effective pasture management in sustainable dairy systems. This led to work researching environmental impacts of dairy systems in Atlantic Canada, and later, work on sustainable biofuel, and biofuel-feed co-production options for Atlantic Canada (Biomass grasses and legumes). My research emphasis has been system oriented (or ‘holistic’) analysis of production, including life-cycle assessment.

I am excited to join the OACC to manage a project looking at the role of soil phosphorus and soil biology on nitrogen fixation in legume forages on dairy farms. Depleting soil phosphorus is becoming an important issue on some organic dairy farms, and this project will, hopefully, identify sustainable ways to overcome this limitation. I concurrently represent Organic Meadow’s Cooperative as their regional field manager, to support Nova Scotia organic dairy farms and those in transition.

Contact information

PO Box 550, Truro, NS,
Canada B2N 5E3
Ph. 902 896 2467 Fax 902 896 7095
mmain@nsac.ca; main@organicmeadow.com.

Posted June 20, 2008