Join us today as we celebrate World Soil Day! This event is held annually on December 5th as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for […]
Archive | Soil health
From the Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils so they are sustainable for future generations. To do this, we need to remember that soil contains living organisms that when provided the basic necessities of life – food, shelter, and water – perform functions required to produce food and fiber.
Only “living” things can have health, so viewing soil as a living ecosystem reflects a fundamental shift in the way we care for our nation’s soils. Soil isn’t an inert growing medium, but rather is teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that are the foundation of an elegant symbiotic ecosystem. Soil is an ecosystem that can be managed to provide nutrients for plant growth, absorb and hold rainwater for use during dryer periods, filter and buffer potential pollutants from leaving our fields, serve as a firm foundation for agricultural activities, and provide habitat for soil microbes to flourish and diversify to keep the ecosystem running smoothly.
Soil Health Workshop: School Garden Curriculum
Registration is open for our FREE Soil Health Workshop on Saturday, October 5th, from 8:00 a.m. – noon, at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. Snacks, continuing education credits, and a copy of […]
Prepare Now for Fall Pasture Management
Fall pasture management can help ensure a healthy pasture for next year. As dry summer days give over to autumn rains, pasture grasses experience new root growth and work to store carbohydrates in […]
Join in the 2019 Soil Health Challenge!
Join local farmers and home gardeners who are burying cotton underwear to assess the biological activity in their soil and evaluate soil health. Over the next two months, the 100% cotton briefs that […]
2019 Summer Farmers Market Season is Open!
Did you know that Clackamas County is home to 12 different summer farmers markets? Our local markets are well represented in both rural and urban parts of our District and provide our communities […]
Growing a Moss Lawn
There are many ecological benefits to growing a moss lawn as we recently learned in Cathy Burk’s article The Benefits and Ecology of a Moss Lawn. Now that your curiosity is piqued, you […]
The Benefits and Ecology of a Moss Lawn
As we prepare for winter planting of our native trees and shrubs, we share this intriguing article written by Cathy Burk at the Habitat Network. The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District appreciates […]
Prepare Now for Fall Pastures
Fall pasture management can help ensure a healthy pasture for next year. As dry summer days give over to autumn rains, pasture grasses experience new root growth and work to store carbohydrates in […]
Outreach Insight for July and August 2018
This posting of Outreach Insight is the monthly report of the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outreach and Education Program. Soil Health Focus at Lavender Festival This year the focus of the […]