Soil Health
The Problem
Dangerous levels of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere derive not only from burning fossil fuels, but also from land use changes. Estimates suggest that agriculture is responsible for one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Our Response
Farmers can and must be part of the solution to climate change. With changes to farming, ranching and gardening practices, we can reverse the global trend of soil carbon losses and instead return atmospheric carbon back to the soil. Building soil carbon and soil health increases the profitability and climate resilience of farms by making soils more drought and erosion resistant while reducing input needs. And, it is a climate change mitigation strategy that simultaneously increases the security of our watersheds, ecosystems and food systems.
Upcoming Trainings
COMING SOON
Deep Dive Into Healthy Living Soil
Will include 3 virtual sessions and 1 in-person training.
This 4-week intensive course on soil will study the physical, chemical, and biological properties of healthy living soil, and learning how to work with nature to grow healthy plants and nutrient-dense food.
Studying the physical properties of soil, we will learn how to understand what type of soil and conditions we are working with, and best ways to amend it for best structure, texture, and tilth.
We will learn how to interpret a chemical soil test, using regenerative methods to improve those aspects of our soil.
Finally, we will study the ‘soil food web,’ using a microscope, to understand the living properties of soil, at a microbial level.
The concept of soil fertility requires us to understand the physical, chemical, and microbiological aspects that determine adequate plant nutrition. This course will explore their interconnection and give you the tools needed to ensure you are working with healthy, living soil.
Learning Objectives:
- Ability to use simple tools to perform physical tests on soil to determine compaction, soil texture, structure, and permeability.
- Knowledge of chemical soil tests and what they tell us about our soil/compost. We will learn regenerative methods to achieve optimal levels of macro and micronutrients, balance pH, and improve Cation Exchange Capacity
- An understanding of the microbial life in our soils, with tools needed to determine fungal/bacteria ratios, aggregate structure, and the various trophic levels that make up the soil food web.
Soil Health Training Interest Form
Interested in future CT NOFA soil health and microscopy training courses? Please fill out the following form to indicate your interest and we'll get in touch with you as future dates and locations become available.
Microscopy Testimonials
In May of 2023, the NOFA-NY education team had the great privilege to participate in soil microscopy training with Monique Bosch through CT-NOFA. The virtual training time let us get familiar with microscopes, learn to identify aggregates, fungal hyphae, nematodes, and some soil structure basics. The in-person training at Bard College was incredible! We found our own soil samples and analyzed them with students from the college, allowing us to test our teaching skills and gain confidence. I highly recommend Monique and this program. I have been able to work with farmers and gardeners now to look at their soil structures and teach them about what they see.
Samantha
NOFA-NY
At Assawaga Farm, our microscope is an indispensable tool for maintaining and improving our soil's health. We use it to assess the biology of many things on the farm including potting soil, compost, teas, as well as general soil tests from our fields, and it allows us a better understanding of what the soil and crops need to be healthy, productive, and sustainable. Looking at our farm through a microscope opens up a whole new perspective that we use to inform our decisions.
Alex Carpenter
Assawaga Farm
For me it was a refresher, but I couldn’t have started using a microscope again without this training. So valuable to be able to create a slide that shows the life in the soil, and how to identify the microbes that make up the soil food web. I teach about this all the time when I give presentations on soils to different groups.
Cynthia Rabinowitz
Northwest Conservation District
Soil Health Program News & Updates
2023 WORKSHOPS
In partnership with UConn Extension, this event included an exhibition of low and no-till farm equipment, methods, and results for all scales of farming. Workshops covered best methods for no-till seeding, crimping, etc., along with cover crop implementation for soil health improvement.
USDA NRCS, CTRCD, and CT NOFA met at Green Village Initiative’s Reservoir Community Farm in Bridgeport to educate about support for urban farms and organizations. Leaders in the industry were on hand to explain ways to get funding for urban farm infrastructure.
2022 WORKSHOPS
permaculture with sefra alexandra
September 2nd, 2022
Soil Health at Hillandale Farm
October 27th, 2022
2021 WORKSHOPS
Sub-Edge Farm Field Day
May 25th, 2021
Assawaga Farm Field Day
September 20th, 2021
2020 WORKSHOPS
Assawaga Farm Field Day
May 30th, 2020
Massaro Community Farm Field Day
September 29th, 2020