Oregon SARE Professional Development Program

Commodities

Practices

Soil health is a crucial determinant of farm viability, and Oregonian agriculture professionals (APs) have revealed a widespread demand for more educational resources related to soil health - particularly in relation to emerging technologies, and tailoring soil health practices to different cropping systems.

With this project, OSU Extension and OrCAN will deliver on-farm and online workshops for agricultural professionals and producers across Oregon. Sessions will highlight technological tools, grant writing skills, and other soil health topics, including how to manage soil health within specific cropping systems (eg, pastures and orchards). Online workshops will be offered for APs across the state. On-farm workshops will be place-based and bioregionally-specific focusing on common cropping systems within a region. These educational resources will promote economic and environmental quality, while encouraging social support and peer-to-peer learning about soil health.

The project will reach at least 260 (160 from OrCAN + 100 from OSU) agricultural professionals directly, with broader dissemination of recordings and resources through OrCAN's network of 755 farm service providers and producers. Outcomes include increased technical capacity and knowledge, and increased implementation of soil health practices across Oregon's farms and ranches.

The goals of this project are to increase the capacity of Oregon agricultural professionals (APs) - including OSU Extension faculty, SWCD staff, and other farm service providers - to support producers in implementing soil health practices that enhance resilience, economic viability, and environmental stewardship.

Specific objectives include:

1. 75% of participating APs report increased technical knowledge of soil health practices, tailored to specific cropping systems and grazing operations, including perennial systems and rotational grazing. 75% of participating APs report increased capacity to support producers in implementing soil health practices in specific cropping systems.
2. 75% of participating APs report increased technical knowledge of emerging technologies that enhance soil health, such as virtual fencing and remote soil moisture monitoring. 75% of participating APs report increased capacity to support producers in utilizing emerging technologies that enhance soil health.
3. 75% of participating APs report increased technical knowledge of artificial intelligence and grant writing as tools for farm viability. 75% of participating APs report increased capacity to support producers in utilizing these resources and technologies.

These objectives are designed to be measurable through pre- and post-training evaluations.