Glacier FarmMedia – Two Prairie organic groups want farmers to know what’s going on in their soil.
Organic farmers across the country are being asked to participate in a soil benchmarking study that aims to measure the benefits that arise from different soil management practices.
The three-year project is funded by SaskOrganics and the Prairie Organics Development Fund and will be conducted by University of Manitoba researcher Martin Entz.
Read Also
Canada’s plant hardiness zones receive update
The latest update to Canada’s plant hardiness zones and plant hardiness maps was released this summer.
“We want to help farmers understand how soil health interventions that they may be interested in and are employing on their organic farms actually affect the soil health and the productivity of their systems,” Entz said.
To be eligible, farms must either be certified organic or transitioning. They must be implementing some sort of soil-focused beneficial management practice on their farm, such as trying a cover crop.
While the study is spearheaded by Prairie-based groups, farmers across Canada can apply, Entz said.
Participants will be asked to send soil and biomass samples from the area where the designated management practice is applied, as well as control samples from areas not being managed in that way. Samples will be lab tested, Entz said, and farmers will be sent reports of the results.
Participation is free of charge. Those interested should contact SaskOrganics at admin@saskorganic.com.
