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Event
Whats Going On Down There? Soil Health & Fertility Assessment for Growers Urban Farming Institute
In this free on-site workshop, NOFA/Mass Soil Technical Assistance Advisors Laura Davis and Caro Roszell will review and interpret soil tests results for the Urban Farming Institute (UFI). You are invited to join us, learn about the practices that produced the soil were analyzing, and learn how to take and interpret soil tests for both fertility and soil health.
This event is part of a three-year, statewide series aimed at increasing the understanding of farmers, gardeners and the general public about a range of lab-based soil tests and field tests for soil health assessment, as well as how these tests can help inform each other when a grower is considering the condition of her soil.
This years program will focus on standard soil tests, saturated paste test, brix spectrometer (plant tissue) and field protocols that you can do in your own garden or field to assess soil health.
First, Tristram Keefe (UFI Farm Manager) will give a tour of UFIs Fowler Clark Epstein Farm and discuss UFIs practices for crop production and soil health management. This tour will provide context for the test results.
Following the tour, Caro will demonstrate a few field tests that any grower can do at home with simple tools to assess the biological health of the soil. We will take a brix reading during the farm tour and explain how to take them one at home with a simple tool. Then, Laura will review the findings of the Logan Labs report for UFI, and will explain how to interpret these findings, how to calculate amendments, and what considerations to make about amendment sources based on the results.
Caro and Laura will round out the day by facilitating a group discussion to help participants make sense of the lab report and findings. Topics for discussion will include: How does brix relate to soil health and fertility? How does soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity relate to long-term fertilizer needs?
Participants go home with a Soil Health Field Test Manual (instructions and data sheets) and a handout of resources for labs where you can send samples of your soil.
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LocationUrban Farming Institute Fowler Clark Epstein Farm (View)
487 Norfolk St,
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 4 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
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