Meet Kim Ross - A Catalyst Incubator Graduate

No till gardening takes root

The reason Kim came to the Catalyst Incubator is a very interesting part of her story. Kim loved gardening and wanted to grow food for her family. However, she was not successful at it and spent more time trying things that didn’t work well in Alberta. She took her Master Gardener class at USask and learned about the benefits of mulch and effects of tilling on her soil. After realizing local farmers were already doing low or no-till, Kim decided to try the method in her garden. This is when Kim discovered she could make money doing something she was already doing.

When one door closes, another opens?

During this same period Covid hit, and Kim found her photography business on pause. When it was hard to go places and live life as we knew it, Kim went to her garden, redefining her growing practices. The garden gave her something to do and a place to be. Despite not crediting herself as having a green thumb, Kim put in the research and a lot of hard work, and refined a no-till, no watering practice using raised growing beds, compost and straw mulch. This technique produces healthier plants and conserves water, reduces weed pressure, eliminates the need for chemical inputs (both herbicides of all types and fertilizers), and improves soil health. Kim’s crop yields went through the roof, which resulted in her first commercial sales of vegetables. Large orders started coming in and Kim turned to the Catalyst Incubator program to help set up a farm business with a diversified income. She was also invited to teach her growing method for Gardening at USask. Kim had never taught before and recalls being very nervous at the time.

The Catalyst Incubator gave her a path forward and a solid concept for a business that wasn’t even on her radar. Insect netting is needed for chemical free growing, but the challenge Kim faced was that the Canadian product available could not withstand the wind. Kim found superior products in Shanghai and began importing them for her own use. Kim credits a nudge from Suzanne Ebelher, (Catalyst advisor) to purchase these products in higher volume and become a Canadian distributor for it. Community Futures funded the first large order of insect netting.

Connections open new doors 

A big bonus of the Catalyst Incubator program for Kim was learning about resources like the Food processing lab in Leduc, and she especially thanks Sharon Munn and Corrine McGirr with Community Futures. Kim shares, “The coaches have taught me the ropes. It’s like winning the lottery for a business owner.” What surprised Kim most about being in the program was the volume of support available for entrepreneurs in this province. She says, “If you have a business idea you need CARIN. You will learn what you need to know, and it will help you be successful.” Kim also shares how valuable the connections were for notifying her of other programs to join:  such as the RIN Pitch-Up program  and Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, which she was able to take advantage of as well. Kim says, “the connections don’t end when the classes end.”

Growth from being challenged

Kim shares that the program did require a significant time investment, which was challenging, being an owner of two businesses. A surprising part of the program was the requirement for public speaking. Kim credits Craig Elias from Alberta Innovates for business pitching support, which she says: “you can’t get much better than that.”  A side benefit of the program and training was how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. A b

ig result since completing the program was the self-confidence she gained, which has helped springboard her into a career she never imagined.

As a regenerative horticulturalist, Kim now teaches in-person and online for Alberta and Saskatchewan Garden Clubs, Ag Societies, businesses and municipalities, plus offers field Demo Days at her farm.  She teaches how no-till growing builds drought resistant gardens that do not need chemicals and require minimal weeding. She also teaches topics such as build your own compost, plan your garden, start seeds and how to build a passive solar greenhouse.

The bigger mission

Beyond earnings as a vegetable producer, a driving purpose for Kim with her no-till, no-water gardening is helping Canadians grow vegetables that are now so much more expensive to buy.  Her methods cost less and compete with imported produce pricing. It also provides farmers with options for crop diversification.

 Looking to the next chapter

Kim is planning to mechanize her growing process to increase efficiency and reduce labour costs. She worked with a local metal fabricator and local implements dealership to design a raised bed maker that pulls behind a tiller attachment. Next on the list is to design a mechanical transplanter that works in thick mulch.  More cold storage space would prolong th

e time frame she can sell vegetables, and there will be more Brussels sprouts grown this year in response to a special request. Kim is planning to incorporate more video content and build a subscription community to expand the reach of her education classes, which also includes topics like overcoming struggles, and the benefits for women of having your own credit. Kim’s upcoming classes and demo days are listed here: https://www.krossfarm.ca/upcoming-classes. This year Kim is also excited to be partnering up with a new Alberta seed company called  For the Seed.

Making a difference

Suzanne Ebelher and Cathy Forner were key for Kim in her learning process. Kim can’t say enough about these two incredible advisors. Kim credits the experience and camaraderie of being a Catalyst Incubator cohort member to learn and share different skillsets. Being part of the program made it possible for her to see what she could do and where she could take it in the future.  Kim states: “the Catalyst Incubator program doesn’t cater to one specific area or businesses. If you are a farmer, a vet, or design equipment for retail, go to CARIN and apply for the Catalyst Incubator. The biggest surprise for Kim from this program is the springboard it gave her to mentor others.  In the last year she has already referred three women entrepreneurs to the program.