Cornell training prepares educators for on farm soil health testing

[EditorBob]

NEWS***

Researchers and educators from Cornell University are offering a workshop in soil health management from Aug.10-14 at the Cornell University campuses in Ithaca and Geneva, NY. The Cornell Soil Health Train-the-Trainer Workshop will focus on the evaluation of soil health, ways to improve soils, and alternative soil management options.

Traditional chemical testing has focused more on the nutrient evaluation to assist in fertilizer type and application amount for specific fields, educators said. The Cornell Soil Health Program also considers soil aeration, drainage, root growth, and disease pressure. This newer soil health test examines the physical and biological characteristics of soils, which is not included within the commonly-used chemical tests.

This five-day event, geared for farmers and professionals that work with them, will include classroom-based training as well as hands-on experience in the field to focus on soil health evaluation. Workshop session topics include modern approaches to soil health management, a visit to Gates Farm in Geneva, NY for field assessments of soil health condition and soil sampling, protocols for laboratory soil evaluation, and creating and interpreting soil health reports.

With funding through a grant with the New York Farm Viability Institute, the Crop and Soil Science Department at Cornell University launched a statewide outreach program around soil health management tools.

Training, along with soil health testing materials, has been made available for farmers and industry professionals to discover factors that are affecting soil health, and in turn alleviate those risk factors which challenge crop productivity. Representatives from the project said they hope that the number of farmers using this soil health technology will continue to increase and lead to a more profitable way of production.

Registration deadline for this workshop is June 30 and the cost is $300 per person. The fee includes training materials, refreshments, lunches, one dinner/reception, and transportation around the campuses. Participants will be responsible for lodging, other meals, and transportation to and from Ithaca. To register, contact Larissa Smith at (607) 255-2177 or at lls14@cornell.edu.

Information regarding soil health and available resources may be found at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ website at http://soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu.

The New York Farm Viability Institute is a nonprofit organization lead by farmers which offers grants for on-farm research and outreach education projects that help farmers improve profitability. The Institute received funding from the NYS legislature and Department of Agriculture & Markets. For more information, visit www.nyfvi.org.

-- By Derek Spinner, NYFVI communications intern