We all know that soil is a critical element of successful agriculture, and is the original source of the nutrients used to grow plants. The nutrients move from the soil into plants through the movement of moisture. Too much or too little of certain types of nutrients can create a poisonous environment for plants. Farmers are always adjusting, trying to find the optimal balance of nutrients in the soil to support optimum plant health.
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Cowichan Agricultural Society is hosting a workshop to provide farmers with information about good practices for managing soils under high rainfall conditions. The workshop will combine presentations about strategies for different types of agriculture, and then visit a number of farms to look at specific issues, depending on soil types. Lunch will be provided by the Somenos Women’s Institute.
Featured speakers include DeLisa Lewis, Research Associate at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Bob Maxwell, retired soils scientist from the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and Wayne Haddow, formerly the Regional Agrologist for the Cowichan Valley.
This event is supported by the Cowichan Green Community, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
For more information, see the Cowichan Agricultural Society’s website (www.cowichanfarmers.org/). To register, contact Larissa at Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan Ave. Duncan, 250-748-8506 or larissa@cowichangreencommunity.org