Soil Health Education for Massachusetts Agricultural Service Providers

Recruitment (Soil Health Working Group, Soil Health School, and other programming):
15 in-house Extension staff receive announcement of new Soil Health programming with invitations to register for year one programming.

We held an inaugural meeting to outline this project and our goals. In addition to 14 in-house ASPs, we were joined by several research faculty who expressed interest in participating in future programming. We were also joined by the research farm superintendent. Our total attendance was 20 individuals. 

Recruitment (Soil Health School and other programming):
2000 ASPs, Extension Agents, and farmers are reached with announcements of upcoming programming, and invitations to attend using Extension digital outreach and listservs.
September 2021
January 2022
January 2023

This is an annual milestone. The initial programming in 2021 was determined to be a better fit for ASPs and was less appropriate for our farmer audience. Targeted invitations were shared in-house and then re-shared to ASPs. We also invited colleagues at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Connecticut. 

Programming in PY2 and PY3 will be appropriate for a broader audience. In PY2 and PY3, our listservs will be utilized to reach the 2000 individuals on these lists. 

In PY2, announcements for the winter soil health school and three summer workshops were shared on the UMass Crop, Dairy, Livestock (CDLE) Team email listserv and the Vegetable Team listserv. Announcements were also shared by American Farmland Trust. Targeted emails were sent to Extension team members in house as well. 

Note: PY = project year, follows the cycle of the project year ending in September. CY = calendar year, follows a Jan - Dec. timeline. 

Education (Soil Health Working Group - Journal Club):
- 5 Extension professionals (ASPs) and additional faculty and graduate students participate in 6 discussions of current soil health research and its application in the field and laboratory. September, 2021.
- 5 Extension professionals (ASPs) and additional faculty and graduate students participate in 7 discussions of current soil health research and its application in the field and laboratory. September 2022.

In 2021, two research faculty, three Extension professionals, 1 outside ASP, and 7 graduate students attended 4 discussions prior to the completion of the PY1 end date. An additional seven meetings and discussions continued into PY2 as apart of this series. Discussions included the review of current soil health literature and methodologies. The motifs of discussion by this group included the following: principles of soil health, sampling and laboratory method evaluation, experimental assessment, cultural management practices, farmer adoption and perspectives, implications for climate change, and differences relative to land-use and ecosystem. 

Note: We had hoped to run the journal club a second time in the fall of 2022. The course was co-taught in 2022 by 4 people (including Sam Corcoran). However, a key faculty member left the university in the summer of 2022. As a result, the group decided not to pursue the journal club in fall 2022.

Verification (Soil Health Working Group):
- 5 UMass Extension professionals who participate in the Soil Health Working Group integrate knowledge gained into advice and services provided to 20 farmers, collectively responsible for managing a minimum of 400 acres of land. September 30, 2021
- 5 Extension ASPs report report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 75 farms operating 1,500 acres. September 2022.
- 5 Extension ASPs report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 100 farms operating 2,000 acres. September 2023.

We experienced some delays in PY1 (2021) establishing the formal working group. PY1 goals were shifted to the winter of 2021-2022. During that time, efforts included aggregating soil health methods and resources on our UMass Extension website, with the input of members of the soil health working group. 

In PY2 through PY3 to date (the 2022 calendar year) the working group evolved into a decentralized group. Our initial vision was for a group that would have some structure and regular meetings. However, we now believe that this vision of the working group is in misalignment with the current state of individuals' perceived soil health knowledge and the ability to contribute. Instead, we have focused on collaborating with individuals on our programming and work. For example, we partnered with an UMass Extension entomologist and Yale ecologist to create a hands-on earthworms and soil health workshop, partnered with a UConn Extension livestock expert to create a virtual, discussion based workshop of the role of soil health and livestock management, and partnered with a graduate student working the laboratory of a research faculty member to write a factsheet.

In each of the above examples, and several more not noted here, the partner did not consider themselves an expert in soil health. However, they were interested in the concept and interested in aligning expertise. As a result, we were able to create products that took the collaborators existing expertise and frame it in a soil health context. In this manner, the collaborators themselves actively participated in enhancing their knowledge and perception of soil health in the context of their field. Simultaneously, we were able to create soil health programming for our target audience. Bloom's Taxonomy of learning theory indicates that creation of original work is the highest form of learning. An unexpected - albeit pleasant - outcome of the working group is that it turned into a teaching tool in and of itself.  

In CY2 (Jan - Dec 2022), approximately 16 meetings were held as a result of this SARE project to discuss concepts for the field and the laboratory, conduct work necessary to develop the educational programing for the year, and method consultation was provided for one awarded SARE graduate student grant with a soil health focus. Meetings ranged from 2 - 6 participants. These meetings are separate from (i.e. in addition to) the journal club meetings.

In the final year of the project we will maintain the decentralized working group approach. Large group meetings are deemphasized, and organic collaboration is prioritized around a shared initiative. However, the hope is that as soil health interest and confidence builds, we may reach a more regular working group dynamic in the future. In the meantime, we have identified a core group of individuals within Extension and the research faculty who are ready and willing to collaborate when there are specific asks.

We will host a formal working group/discussion group specific to UMass Extension in association with/follow up to our 2023 soil health school. In addition, it is likely that our program will hire an Extension educator specializing in soil health in 2023. This hire will inherit the established collaborators in the working group. Efforts are ongoing to aggregate soil health resources. The hire will inherit these soil health resources to date along with a vision for the future of the soil health resources (clearinghouse) on our Extension website. 

In October of 2022 (PY3), the annual meeting of regional soil laboratory directors was attended. Valuable discussions were held relating to soil health testing, methods, and recommendations. In follow up, relationships formed at the meeting have supported further discussions that influence the UMass testing laboratory. We have also supported the purchase of a new instrument for the testing laboratory for soil health analysis, and method review/instrument purchases are actively ongoing. 

Education (Soil Health School):
40 attendees participate in Soil Health School. Attendees hear from Soil Health experts on recent research findings and current Soil Health oriented recommendations. Two session are dedicated to improving/revamping farmer interview approaches to focus on Soil Health goals and needs. February 2022.

40 attendees participate in Soil Health School. Speakers will once again include Soil Health experts who will provide updates to resent research findings and current recommendations. One session is dedicated to discussing a plan for future work: current challenges, remaining questions, necessary resources, and goal setting. February 2023.

We hosted a virtual soil health school in February of 2022 (PY 2). Dr. Annise Dobson of Yale, followed by Dr. Jodi Johnson-Maynard of the University of Idaho, spoke about the role of earthworms in nutrient cycling and soil health in two webinars. Freya Chay with Carbon Plan discussed the non-profit organization's work with soils and carbon sequestration, and how they bridge the gap between policy and a still evolving science. Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, Science Advisor to Secretary Ross at the California Department of Food and Agriculture - and a UMass Amherst alumni - diccussed California's Healthy Soil Initiative. 

39 individuals attended this event. The audience during the live session included 10 ASPs outside of Extension, 14 individuals associated with Extension (both educators and Extension faculty), 8 farmers, 3 private sector, 1 state, and 3 researchers. The individual webinars were recorded and posted to our website, where they have since received a total of 123 views. Although not documented, it is believed that some of these views are from registrants not able to attend on the day of the live broadcast. 

Verification (Soil Health School):
36 Soil Health School participants demonstrate knowledge gain in pre- and post-assessments; 30 indicate intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 90 farmers. February 2022.

36 Soil Health School participants demonstrate knowledge gain in pre and post-assessments; 30 indicate intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 90 farmers February 2023

Completion of the post assessment after the 2022 soil health school was underwhelming, with a 23% completion rate. At the end of 5 hours of virtual time together, most attendees were quick to sign off without completing the post assessment. In review, we believe this is due to 2 reasons: 1. these sessions do not provide CE credits. When attendees are required to complete assessments to receive credits, completion increases. 2. survey completion is much higher at in-person events as a final activity. 

Of the limited survey completion, respondents indicated their learning had increased and they had changes in perception; this was especially true for the information pertaining to earthworms. All respondents demonstrated an increase in knowledge by completing a pre and post assessment test on the subject material. One farmer followed up directly for additional consulting. 

In the registration, completed by all attendees, registrants were asked to indicate what they believe the biggest barrier is to soil health adoption. Interestingly, the responses were highly variable, and a clear pattern did not emerge with view point relative to job (i.e. farmer vs Extension). Of those who attended the workshop, the responses were as follows: 19% believe we need financial incentives for farmers to focus on soil health; 19% believe farmers need easier access to relevant equipment; 15% believe we need more information on best management practices; 11% believe we need more research on soil health; 7% chose "other". The remaining 30% believe we need improved access to soil health testing itself. 

The results of the aforementioned survey, and the high interest in earthworms in follow up to the workshop, were highly integrated into workshops in the summer of 2022. 

At the 2023 workshop, paper surveys will be given at our in-person event, and we are optimistic this will improve our data capture for verification of this milestone. 

Education (other soil health programming):
60 attendees participate in a three-part workshop series focused on building a foundational knowledge of Soil Health, virtual or in-person depending on circumstances), December, 2021.

15 attendees participate in an in-field training of the USDA-NRCS Cropland in-field Soil Health assessments protocol and learn how to conduct their own empirical analysis of soil health conditions and indicators. May 2022.

15 attendees participate in a three-part workshop that includes a classroom training on identifying indicators of soil health vulnerabilities, followed by a farm visit to practice making observations, followed by a session in which small groups work together to develop and share recommendations. Completed by October 2022.

15 ASPs and Extension Agents participate in a three-part Soil Health assessment workshop. Participants are broken into small groups and are sent to 3 different farms to interview farmers, survey the land, and collect soil health samples in workshop one. Participants will be sent to a farm in their sector. In workshop two, participants work together in their groups to generate recommendations and make a presentation to share with those that went to other farms. In workshop three, groups present their visit, observations, and recommendations, to the other groups. All attendees demonstrate the skills necessary to continue to offer Soil Health minded technical assistance. May 2023

In PY1, two workshops were organized for PY2.

The first webinar was with Joseph Amsili of the Cornell Soil Health Lab, titled, "Soil Health Research and Extension Update from your Neighbors in New York". 30 individuals registered for the event and 19 attended day of; those not in attendance received a link to watch the recorded session at a later time. 17 ASPs participated in this workshop. In addition to UMass ASPs and researchers, we also received registrations from UMaine, UNH, UVM, UConn, USDA, and American Farmland Trust. 

The second webinar was with Dr. Cristine Morgan of Soil Health Institute, titled, "Assessing Soil Health at Scale". 25 individuals registered for the event and 18 attended day of; those not in attendance received a link to watch the recorded session at a later time. 11 ASPs participated in this workshop. In addition to UMass ASPs and researchers, we also received registrations from UMaine, UConn, and American Farmland Trust. 

The third presentation occurred in January of 2022 with Dr. Stephen Wood of The Nature Conservancy, titled "Soil Health Myths: Perspectives from the Nature Conservancy". The seminar was jointly sponsored by Extension and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Dr. Wood met with faculty and the Director of Extension during his visit, and also had lunch with graduate students in the Department. The seminar was attended by approximately 30 individuals in person and virtually. Six individuals with Extension/ASP responsibilities were in attendance, along with 10 faculty members. The remainder of the attendees were predominantly graduate students. 

In spring 2022, a virtual workshop was given in collaboration with the Tri-State SARE project titled "The value of soil health: soil, plant, and animal interactions". The event was organized by the Tri-State project, and the individual presentation was a collaboration with a UConn Extension educator. The workshop presented soil tests and walked participants through their interpretation. In small breakout groups, participants were given a soil test to discuss in small groups. In these groups, participants considered what the test meant in general, its meaning in context of the farm scenario, and what should be done in response to the test results. 

Three in-person workshops were also offered in PY2. The educational plan was slightly altered to better respond to the barriers to soil health adoption identified by the 36 responders to the Soil Health School registration survey and general interests expressed as a result of the school.

The first workshop was "Soil Health Day" at the research farm where best management practices were demonstrated along with relevant equipment demonstrations; some of this equipment can be lent out to farmers, these lending programs were also discussed (re: barrier = best management practice and access to appropriate equipment). The event was a collaboration among Extension teams, and involved multiple Extension educators and researchers. 

The second workshop provided in-field training of the USDA-NRCS Cropland in-field Soil Health assessments (re: barrier = access to soil health tests). The challenge of using weeds as indicators was also addressed using empirical data, meeting our learning goal to address possible "myths" in soil health. Participants observed demonstrations and then practiced taking their own samples and working through the IFSHA. Participants also learned how to use pH paper to take a simple, in-field pH sample. The event was a collaboration with two presenters from American Farmland Trust. 

The third workshop began with a classroom training on the role of earthworms in soil health, and their use as a soil health indicator. Participants learned methods for earthworm sample collection in the field, and then collected their own samples in a tilled vegetable field, a perennial pasture, and a forested area. Participants then brought the earthworms back into the classroom where they used microscopy and keys to identify their earthworms. Each of the three small groups (veg field, pasture, forest) then presented their findings to full the group. The environmental niche of the earthworms was used to draw conclusions about the possible nutrient and organic matter cycling of the systems. (re: expressed interest in learning more about earthworms as a result of soil health school). The event was a collaboration with UMass Extension faculty and a colleague at Yale.

As noted, some adjustments were made to the PY2 curriculum. Deviations from the proposed plan were responses to feedback of attendees of our virtual events. The pivot allowed us to maintain our learning goals while providing more targeted content. However, the original curriculum was repurposed for students in the Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program, a USDA initiative that trains students "such that upon graduation they may enter the agricultural workforce with exceptional skills".

REEU students spent a half day in the classroom learning about soil health and then went to two farms (dairy corn field and beef perennial pasture). There, they took soil samples, performed the IFSHA, and interviewed one farmer. Students spent a second day in a research laboratory preparing and analyzing their soil samples. On the last day, students reviewed soil health tests from each farm and learned to interpret them. They then combined the soil health test, IFSHA, and laboratory data to create a report with recommendations for each farm. 

Verification (other Soil Health programming):
48 participants demonstrate knowledge gain in pre and post-assessments at each of the three-part workshop series, and 30 indicate intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 90 farmers. December 2022.

12 participants who receive a survey at the end of the in-field training report increased knowledge and confidence in performing the analyses, and 10 report intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 30 farmers. Participants can indicate any questions or confusion before the subsequent three-part series begins. May 2022

15 attendees in the 3-part workshop demonstrate the skills necessary for a Soil Health minded farm visit and follow-up report, and report in post-workshop survey that they feel confident in their abilities to interpret soil health assessments and provide relevant feedback. 12 indicate intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 36 farmers October 2022

14 attendees in the 3-part workshop verify adequate confidence in offering Soil Health technical assistance; 12 indicate intention to incorporate knowledge into advice and services provided to 36 farmers. May 2023

In PY1, two workshops were organized for PY2. The first webinar was with Joseph Amsili of the Cornell Soil Health Lab, titled, "Soil Health Research and Extension Update from your Neighbors in New York". 

• 8 registrants reported that they currently use soil health in their work as ASPs and would like to learn more.
• 6 registrants reported that they are researchers in soil-health related work and would like to know how it fits into applied work.
• 3 registrants reported a primary interest in  laboratory methods.
• 3 registrants reported that they do not currently use soil health principles in their work as ASPs but would like to  learn more.
• 9 registrants expressed a general interest in anything relating to soil health.

The second webinar was with Dr. Cristine Morgan of Soil Health Institute, titled, "Assessing Soil Health at Scale".

• 8 registrants reported that they currently use soil health in their work as ASPs and would like to learn more.
• 3 registrants reported that they are researchers in soil-health related work and would like to know how it fits into applied work.
• 3 registrants reported a primary interest in  laboratory methods.
• 1 registrant reported that they do not currently use soil health principles in their work as an ASP but would like to learn more.
• 8 registrants expressed a general interest in anything relating to soil health. 

All participants received an evaluation survey. Of the collected responses, 37% attended both webinars, 37% attended "Assessing Soil Health at Scale" only, and 26% attended "Soil Health Research and Extension Update from your Neighbors in New York" only. Of all responses, 81% of participants reported an increase in their knowledge or a change to their thinking about soil health. 60% of responders were ASPs, and 83% of responders reported that soil health is a primary focus for both them and their stakeholders. 

In addition, we also gathered information on what resources or actions are believed to be most necessary to improve soil health. This feedback was used to finetune future programming in this project. In brief, the results showed that 85% of  responders believe more farmer outreach and education to be important. 75% of responders believe more labs to analyze soil samples, research-based management recommendations, and conducting more field research are important. 70% of responders believe training ASPs about soil health and how to interpret soil health tests is important. Conducting more laboratory research was considered least important, and only 30% of responders believe this to be critical to advancing soil health in MA specifically and the region at large. 

Of the 76 unique attendees of three virtual events (i.e. attendees are not counted twice if they attend twice; includes Soil Health School, the Cornell webinar, and the Soil Health Institute webinar), 12% attended in-field events in the summer of 2022.  This may indicate that the audience interested in the basic tenants and science of soil health was not the same audience interested in hands-on application. However, this 12% were almost all associated with UMass Extension, indicating in-house investment in the soil health initiative. 

Of the 57 unique attendees at the three in-person events (i.e. attendees are not counted twice if they attend more than one in-person event; includes Soil Health Field Day, In-Field Soil Health Assessments Workshop, and Earthworms Workshop), 20% attended more than one in person event. All repeat attendees were either ASPs or researchers conducting on-farm soil health related work.

84% of attendees at the Soil Health Field Day completed the exit survey.  75% of survey respondents at soil health field day reported an increase in soil health knowledge as a result of the event. Additional hightlights include:

• 100% of survey respondents confirmed the in-field/hands-on learning improved their understanding of the concepts. This is highly in-line with tenants of active learning, which finds that people learn best by demonstration and doing, rather than by lecture style education.
• 50% of respondents indicated they will take action either in their work with farmers or on their own farm to enhance soil health.

100% of attendees at the Earthworm Sampling and Identification Workshop completed the workshop assessment, and 100% of attendees reported an increase in knowledge as a result of the workshop. Additional highlights include:

• After completing the workshop, 15% of attendees reported that they "did not know as much as they thought they did" prior to the workshop.
• 100% of attendees indicated that they would use this information in their recommendations and soil health related work; 62% indicated the information would be used specifically in work with farmers. 
• In an open ended question in which attendees were asked how this information would be used, 30% of attendees reported they would use the knowledge gained in "myth busting" about earthworms.
• 100% of attendees, in an open ended response question, indicated they had a change in perception/understanding/new questions about the role that earthworms play.
• A major learning outcome was: Earthworms can indicate healthy soil because they like to live where healthy soil is; earthworms do not necessarily create health soil. There is an important difference between creation of health soil versus indication of health soil. 
• Participants provided many ideas for future workshop content that they would like to see, and were very positive about the mixed classroom, field, microscopy, and discussion format. The topics recommended and this learning format will be incorporated into Soil Health School 2023.

Verification (all soil health programming):
In a Year 2 Impact Survey, 30 non-Extension ASP participants in all project offerings report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 150 farms. 5 Extension ASPs report report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 75 farms operating 1,500 acres. September 2022.

In a Year 3 Final Impact Survey, 40 non-Extension ASP participants in all project offerings report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 200 farms. 5 Extension ASPs report using knowledge gained through the project in activities reaching 100 farms operating 2,000 acres. Responses from the Year 2 Impact Survey will contribute to these totals for any ASPs not participating in Year 3. September 2023.

The year two impact survey has been shifted to/rescheduled to occur after the 2023 winter school to capture as many in-person responses as possible. Attendees of previous events who are not captured at the in-person event will be emailed with a request for survey completion. 

The final impact survey will occur by email at the end of all programming in 2023, PY3.

5 factsheets and newsletter articles are produced and sent to existing listservs to reach over 2000 ASPs and farmers. Ongoing throughout, completed by September 2023.

A newsletter article was written in PY2 in response to the high fertilizer prices of 2022. The article was disseminated in the CDLE newsletter, and included the importance of building soil organic matter to provide nutrient credits and offset the cost of fertility inputs. 

A factsheet was written in CY2 (the start of PY3) on the rate of building soil organic matter and will be posted to the CDLE website. 

A sister version of this factsheet will also be shared in the winter CDLE newsletter.