Soil is the foundation of the farming system and provides resilience and redundant mechanisms for pest and fertility management. This Double Session on soil fertility and health will look at analyzing soils to focus on the intersection between the biological, chemical, and physical parameters and utilize testing as a tracking tool, rather than a prescription for management decisions.
This first session will detail how to read and interpret a soil mineral analysis; which type, quantity and application of soil amendments are best for specific crops; utilization of compost and other organic materials; integrating cover crops; best management practices to create the most biologically active and fertile organic soil. Specific products and practices and their most economical use will be featured, utilizing a low-cost soil analysis as the grower's guide. The presenter has more than 40 years of experience interpreting and making recommendations on more than 2,000 soil analyses for use on hundreds of organic farms growing most commonly produced crops in North America.
