Class 3

Soil Sampling, Nutrient Testing, and Interpreting Test Results + Basic Soil Chemistry!

Date: February 25, 2012 1pm-4pm

Location: UBC Farm, 6182 South Campus Rd. Vancouver

Cost: $20/class (+$1.49 registration fee) or $70 (+$2.74 registration fee) if you register for all 4 classes

What to bring: Pen, notebook and clothes you can wear outside

Soil nutrient testing is an important management tool for farmers at all scales of production.  While some soil characteristics are observable, much more information can be discovered through lab and measurement testing.

 This hands-on class will focus on how to take an effective soil sample, what to test for, and what to do once you get your test results.  Soil tests can be notoriously difficult to decipher and opinions vary on adequate nutrient levels and means of correcting deficiencies so we’ll take a look at that as well and be puzzled together.  This will also be a chance to introduce the 17 or so elements that are essential to plant growth.

 We will also take a look at variability testing which can be useful if a field is inconsistent in its productivity.  This sampling method is useful for pH and soil organic matter which are more easily measured in the lab (at a reasonable price) as well as characteristics such as soil depth.

 And of course we’ll get into the soil and play with it a bit more to see what observable qualities of the soil we can distinguish.  The more we can learn to see in the field, the better we can make effective management decisions.

This is a mostly outdoor class - so be well dressed for the elements!

What you can expect to gain in this third class:

 Indicators of Soil Health

●        Observable

●        On-farm Measurable

●        Lab Measurable

 Soil Testing - Outdoor sampling

●        What is a soil test?

●        Why is it important? 

●        How do we take a soil sample?

●        What do we do with the results?

●        Soil test interpretations and sample test results

●        Variability sampling

 Included Resource Materials:

●        17 Essential Plant Nutrients

○        Roles in plant growth

○        Deficiency symptoms

Organic nutrient amendments

Presenter Bio:

 Chris Thoreau holds a BSc. in Agroecology from the University of British Columbia where he focused on soils, small-scale plant breeding, and urban farming.  Previous to his time at UBC he operated Influence Organics, a one-acre certified organic farm on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula.  Here Chris focused on utilizing no-till and permaculture principles to grow a variety of vegetables for local markets, CSAs and restaurants. He also sat on the board and certification committee of the local certifying body, the Islands’ Organic Producers Association.  He is also an IOIA-trained organic inspector. Chris currently operates My Urban Farm - a bicycle-powered urban farm in Vancouver that specialized in microgreens, and co-owns 24 Carrots - another bicycle powered initiative that works with organic, biodynamic and urban farms to offer one of Vancouver’s most diverse CSAs.

 Growing Season Workshops:

This event is part of the UBC Farm Growing Season Workshop Series.  Our goal is to connect sustainability and life-skills experts with our local community through accessible and affordable workshops.   Come join us for a workshop, gain new skills and knowledge, and help support the UBC Farm!