COLUMBUS, Ohio — Most producers and researchers know the importance of

having healthy soils to work with. With that in mind, Ohio State University Extension

started a new signature program called Healthy Soil Healthy Environment to

increase soil health and awareness.

 

This program outreach will include a new soilhealth.osu.edu website, as well

as workshops and field days at which research results will be presented.

 

“The foundation of Ohio is, of course, the soil,” said Steve Culman, state soil

fertility specialist with OSU Extension. “The Healthy Soil Healthy Environment

signature program will facilitate collaborative research and outreach

efforts focusing on soil health testing across the state with the ultimate goal

of better management of soil resources.”

 

According to Culman, Ohio is fortunate enough to have a solid infrastructure

that helps soil scientists and producers alike manage nutrients more effectively.

This includes private consultants who will sample soils, professional soil testing

laboratories that will analyze soils quickly, and nutrient recommendation

from OSU Extension specialists, he said.

 

“Ohio State is at the forefront of new research and applying findings to

create greater profitability and positive environmental outcomes,” Culman said.

“Researchers are already developing more advanced soil testing methods and

conducting train-the-trainer workshops to educate OSU Extension educators

and others.”

 

According to Alan Sundermeier, director and agriculture and natural resources

educator at OSU Extension’s Wood County, a comprehensive soil health

assessment test will also be developed for Ohio farmers.

 

“Although standard soil testing in fields is nothing new, farmers are beginning

to rely on testing a great deal more than in the past,” Sundermeier said. “Newer

technology has also made the process quicker and more cost efficient. Soil

testing can show trends in soil fertility and determine what nutrients need to be

added to the soil to improve it.” 

 

“It takes thousands of years to form a few centimeters of soil, even in ideal climate

conditions,” Culman said. “By building the soil, producers are also building the

fields’ production potential. By knowing and understanding the nutrients in the

soil, and also the nutrients that may be missing, farmers can better equip their

land to maximize soil function and crop response. Providing farmers with good

information about soil health helps them make healthy decisions where their

soil is concerned. Rather than focusing solely on soil chemistry, soil health

testing seeks to provide farmers insight into the biological and physical structure

components of soil.”

 

The Healthy Soil Healthy Environment website says the program will serve a

variety of clientele, including traditional, organic, no-till, sustainable and lowinput

farmers. It will serve a spectrum of clients, including landowners, 4-H youth,

adult and youth urban gardeners, Master Gardener volunteers, crop consultants,

agricultural retailers, salesmen, underserved populations and the general public.

 

Sundermeier and his staff made treks across Ohio last month, showing growers

and others the importance of healthy soils. His crew held a soil health workshop

at the Greene County Fairgrounds. This workshop focused on cover crops and how

those crops can have a positive impact on improving the state’s watersheds.

 

Sundermeier spearheaded the Ohio Soil Health Symposium last month in Seneca

County, offering an insight on promoting and protecting the soils.