Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County will be continuing its summer series of in-person workshops for part-time farmers. This workshop will introduce attendees to assessing and managing their soils for production as well as environmental concerns. We are asking attendees to bring a cup of dry soil with them from an area they farm. The soil will be tested for pH levels and aggregate stability. Since these meetings are discussion-based we hope attendees will bring their concerns and their experience to share with other farmers from the area.
A farm’s soil is the most determinant factor in a productive farm. Soils have two key factors: Inherent qualities, which is what the last glacier left us as far as it’s proportions of sand, silt, and clay. And its dynamic qualities, or the management of the soil which is measured by: quantities of macro and micro life, Carbon or organic matter, and the aggregate stability which measures the soil’s strength to resist runoff in heavy rains. Fay Benson with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Cortland, will have the NY Soil Health Trailer at the meeting to perform demonstrations that showcase the benefits of soil health. Dana Havas, Agricultural Team Leader with CCE Cortland, will set up the pH and aggregate tests for participants’ soils. We ask that the soils are dried before bringing to the event.
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