The Science of Soil Health & Why It Matters
Healthy soils are essential for healthy plant growth, but did you also know they play a role sequestering carbon and cleaning our waterways?
Please join us for an introductory discussion on soil health science. We will explore the basics of soil health management systems – including common practices, measurement/assessment approaches, and associated co-benefits. This program is intended for funders new to the topic of soil health or those interested in better understanding the connection between soil health and climate change and clean water.
We will first hear from the Soil Health Institute (SHI), an independent, nonprofit organization charged with coordinating soil stewardship and advancing soil health; focusing on fundamental and applied research. SHI will discuss the basics of soil health science, including what we know and don’t know about co-benefits for water quality, carbon, economics, etc. and the approaches to measuring and assessing soil health.
We will then be joined by the Virginia Office of the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS has worked for more than 80 years in close partnerships with farmers and ranchers, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive working landscapes. NRCS will cover practical soil health management systems to achieve and increase healthy soils.
This program takes place March 30 at 11:00am PT, will last approximately 90-minutes and conclude with a funder-only discussion.
MODERATOR
- Jake Reilly, program director, Chesapeake Bay, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
SPEAKERS
- Wayne Honeycutt, Ph.D., president & CEO, Soil Health Institute
- Chris Lawrence, cropland Agronomist, USDA-NRCS
WHEN
- March 30, 2018
- 2:00pm ET