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ARECA launches 2015 Soil Health Initiative

May 27, 2015 - The Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) Soil Health Initiative aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. ARECA and nine member associations are planning a number of events and activities throughout the year, starting with the Soil Carbon Challenge Tour with Peter Donovan.

Peter will be touring to six locations in Alberta, conducting soil carbon workshops. Peter establishes baseline measurements for soil carbon in plots from Mexico to Canada, Vermont to California as part of the Soil Carbon Challenge.

"Peter Donovan will conduct workshops on soil carbon and will set baselines for quantifying how land managers can transform atmospheric carbon into water-holding, fertility-enhancing soil organic matter (SOM) to improve soil health" said Dr. Yamily Zavala, crop and soil researcher for Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA). "Participants will learn how to measure soil attributes and document the changes under their own management strategies."

Workshops will be held at the following locations:
Peace Country Beef and Forage Association (PCBFA) - Fairview, June 15
North Peace Applied Research Association (NPARA)- Manning, June 17
Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA) - Fort Vermilion, June 20
Gateway Research Organization (GRO) - Westlock, June 25
Lakeland Applied Research Association (LARA) - Bonnyville, June 27
Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) - Oyen, June 30

For more information about Peter Donovan visit www.soilcarboncoalition.org

ARECA is a provincial association of nine not-for-profit producer groups dedicated to enhancing the sustainability and profitability of agriculture in Alberta. Visit www.areca.ab.ca for additional information.

May 27, 2015  By Top Crop Manager