Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Fruits: berries (strawberries)
Practices
- Education and Training: demonstration, display, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, workshop
- Production Systems: holistic management
- Soil Management: earthworms, organic matter, soil analysis, soil quality/health
Proposal abstract:
A large body of rigorous scientific research documents that improved soil assessment strategies can be used to reduce the impact of agriculture on soil quality. Our research project will bridge the information gap between researcher and farmer by directly involving growers in the application and testing of recent advances in soil quality research. Two strawberry growers will participate in the research by collecting soil samples from their fields using an on-farm soil quality test kit developed by the USDA-ARS/NRCS. We will compare soil quality measurements taken at grower fields with soil samples collected from the same sites and measured using standard laboratory soil analysis procedures. Growers will benefit from this project by increasing their knowledge and awareness of soil quality as well as their confidence in using a soil quality test kit. By learning how to conduct soil quality tests growers will be able to make more informed decisions about land management practices. Consequently, improved soil quality can result in increased farm profitability. Also, compared to having the same soil tests done at a soil testing lab, the cost of using the on-farm soil quality test kit will also result in financial savings. In addition to increasing farm profitability and sustainability, use of soil quality test kits improves grower awareness about how their land management practices affect not only their crop yields, but also the surrounding landscape and watershed. Society benefits from the clean air, water, and soil managed by these growers. One way that the success of this project will be measured will be by surveying initial grower interest in soil quality assessment and re-surveying after they have interacted with collaborating growers and observed the results.
Project objectives from proposal:
In the short-term, strawberry growers will benefit from this project by increasing their knowledge and awareness of soil quality as well as their confidence in using a soil quality test kit. By learning how to conduct soil quality tests growers will be able to make more informed decisions about land management practices. Consequently, improved soil quality can result in increased farm profitability. Also, compared to having the same soil tests done at a soil testing lab, the cost of using the on-farm soil quality test kit will also result in financial savings.
Intermediate-term benefits arise over time as the soil quality improves due to enhanced monitoring of soil condition. For example, farm costs can be lowered by reduced off-farm inputs that can result from improved soil quality. Also, in a reduced-input farm management system the exposure of the grower to hazardous materials, including pesticides, may be reduced. In addition to increasing farm profitability and sustainability, use of soil quality test kits improves grower awareness about how their land management practices affect not only their crop yields, but also the surrounding landscape and watershed. This can lead to long-term benefits to society such as conserved soil, clean water, and clean air.