WSDA Looking To Study Soil Health Statewide
The Washington Natural Resources Assessment Section is looking for your input to better understand soil health statewide. In Spring of 2020, state lawmakers created the Washington Soil Health Initiative, provided up to $200,000 for soil health and research. Those funds were combined with a $500,000 USDA specialty crop block grant. Now, researchers are adding soil data to understand the different regions and cropping systems across the state.
Soil Health Scientist Dani Gelardi said such data will teach them a great deal about nutrients, soil erosion and disease suppression.
"So we are trying to take samples all over the state, analyze those samples for biological, chemical and physical indicators of soil health, and then start to develop some conclusions from that."
Starting in March, the WSDA is offering to pay for a soil health analysis for those who are eligible for the program in exchange for their soil sample and data. The deadline to apply for the program is Tuesday, January 25th. Click Here to learn more and apply.
Gerlardi said WSDA would like to eventually use the data to create mapping and other tools for growers and those in the farm industry. To help those interested in the soils program, WSDA will be hosting a virtual Q&A Tuesday, December 14th at 1:00 pm.
"Some people are going to want to know which projects are eligible; some people are going to want to know how do you soil sample. So what we're really going to go over in this virtual event is just the broad strokes of what the program is, who is eligible and how you can participate. That way people have a clear understanding of the expectations should they choose to apply."
Visit the WSDA's Website for more information regarding Tuesday's virtual event.
If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com
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