A new generation of leaders is shaping the future of agriculture
Sustainability, BMO Gives & Sponsorships
Updated 
4 min. read
Across Canada and the United States, a new generation of innovators is rethinking how food systems work — restoring soil health, protecting water, supporting biodiversity, sharing Indigenous practices and helping communities thrive.
In recognition of those efforts, BMO, in partnership with global non-governmental organization One Young World, has announced the winners and finalists of the inaugural Generation Regen Challenge, an initiative designed to accelerate regenerative and sustainable agriculture across North America.
Developed to help meet the growing demand for climate-smart agriculture, the Challenge supports solutions that strengthen ecosystems, improve soil and water health, and contribute to more resilient and equitable food systems. At BMO, this work also reflects a broader focus on supporting innovation through our philanthropy – as well as helping agriculture and food system clients modernize and scale through financing, expertise and tailored banking solutions.
Following a competitive judging process, two winners and four finalists were selected, and will receive grants to support the continued growth of their work – $60,000 for each winner and $20,000 for each finalist.
Each is advancing practical, scalable ideas that show how agriculture can work in partnership with nature.
“The Generation Regen Challenge showed what is possible when ambition is matched by action. These teams are not just talking about the future — they are helping build it. That is what gives me hope. Congratulations to the winners.”
- Paul Polman, Business leader, investor, philanthropist and Chair of One Young World’s Global Advisory Board
Meet the winners
Larry Davis — Green Mechanics, Greenbelt, MarylandBased in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Green Mechanics designs nature-based systems that tackle nutrient pollution by turning it into something valuable. Their solutions capture excess nutrients from agricultural runoff and convert them into regenerative biomass that can be used to rebuild soil — demonstrating how environmental challenges can become circular, regenerative solutions.
Emily Harris — Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, Victoria, British ColumbiaLed by Emily Harris on Vancouver Island, the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture combines hands-on farming, education and community food production in one integrated model. The Centre operates a working regenerative farm that supplies fresh produce to food banks and school programs while training the next generation of farmers — helping restore soil health and biodiversity along the way.
Meet the finalists
Ranah Chavoshi — PhyCo Technologies, Vancouver, British Columbia PhyCo Technologies is creating biodegradable, seaweed-based alternatives to traditional agricultural plastics that break down safely in soil. Their compostable materials help reduce plastic pollution while supporting healthier growing conditions.
Marika Dewar-Norosky — Manitoba Organics, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba Through its Nutrient Budget program, Manitoba Organics is helping farmers manage soil nutrients more effectively while improving long-term sustainability. The project supports stronger soil health and more resilient farming practices across the Prairies.
Emma Ekua-Bedua Hudson — Food for Thought Foundation, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Food for Thought Foundation is building modular vertical farms and delivering education programs that bring food production closer to communities, increasing access to fresh produce. By connecting food production with education, the initiative is helping expand access while building local knowledge and skills.
Diana Virgovicova — Xatoms, Toronto, OntarioUsing AI and advanced materials science, Xatoms is developing light-activated technology that removes contaminants from water — without harsh chemicals. Their solution helps farms safely reuse water, reducing waste while improving environmental outcomes.
Backing ideas that restore and sustain
All winners and finalists will receive full scholarships to attend the One Young World Summit this November in Cape Town, South Africa, along with lifetime membership in the One Young World ambassador community — connecting them with a global network of young leaders driving positive change.
From soil to water to food access, their ideas show what’s possible when innovation is grounded in community needs and environmental stewardship. At BMO, we believe backing these kinds of solutions helps build stronger, more resilient communities — and a more sustainable future for agriculture.
This builds on BMO’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future through community giving. Other examples include La Tablée des Chefs, Right to Food, and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan in Canada, and Green Era Campus, Windy City Harvest at the Chicago Botanical Garden, and Parks California in the U.S.
If you know a young leader working in regenerative or sustainable agriculture, stay tuned — the Generation Regen Challenge will return next year!
