Tag: soil
Soil microbes are helping themselves
New research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign challenges conventional wisdom to show free-living soil microbes are just looking out for themselves.
We should strive to be ‘dumb as dirt’
Dirt or soil is one of the most profound, complex, diverse and arguably important things on earth. Soil is the DNA of life.
Midwestern farming must adapt to reduce topsoil loss
Alan Guebert weighs in on a University of Massachusetts study that revealed 24-46% of topsoil has been lost on intensely-farmed Midwestern land.
Practicing resurrection: Clevelanders turn food waste into soil
Rust Belt Riders started with two people on bikes, picking up food waste to compost for community gardens and small farms, in 2014. The company now composts at a nearly 2-acre site in Independence, Ohio, collecting about 125 tons of food scraps per month and making its own soil blends to sell under its subsidiary, Tilth.
Healthy soil is your best defense
Healthy soils with proper structure and a balance of mineral and organic matter withstand drought and provide moisture to plants during the dry season.
Give your spring alfalfa seeding the best chance for success
As we approach an ideal time to establish alfalfa, Jeff Stachler asks, "have you thought about what needs to be done to successfully establish alfalfa?"
Every farmer plays huge role in soil conservation
All farmers should try to prevent soil loss. It doesn't take long before topsoil is compromised and your ability to produce top-yielding crops is hampered.
Wayne SWCD honors conservation efforts
The Wayne Soil and Water Conservation District honored some of the county's top conservation efforts during the annual meeting Nov. 8.
Coating fertilizer helps improve its efficacy
Researchers studied whether or not coating urea fertilizer granules with maleic-itaconic polymers would help plants get as much nitrogen as possible.
