World Soil Day is December 5th and we are celebrating with an entire week of raising awareness about the importance of soil health.
Events include a special release episode of “4 The Soil: A Conversation” as well as two panel discussions on the who, what, why, and how of soil health. We will also be sharing resources and soil health stories all week! Register below for our panel discussions.
Schedule of events:
Tuesday, November 30th, 6-7 PM: "Soil Health on the Farm: A Panel Discussion"
Join us to hear from diverse farmers across Virginia on how they are implementing soil health practices on their operation and what inspires them to be stewards of the land.
Panelists:
Moderator: Jeff Ishee, On The Farm Radio
Heather Coiner, Little Hat Creek Farm
Kayleigh Mize, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Spotsylvania County
Leo Tammi, Shamoka Run Farm
Irma Serrano and Caroline Fleury, Jubilee Climate Farm
Bob Waring, Brandon Farms
Wednesday, December 1st: “4 The Soil: A Conversation” Special Podcast Release: The Wisdom and Soil Health of Ira Wallace and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
In this episode of "4 The Soil: A Conversation," Ira shares about the importance of soil health to vegetable and food production, but specifically how soil health is relevant to seed saving, heirloom varieties, and land ownership. Mary Sketch and Jeff Ishee share their own excitement about different seed and heirloom varieties ranging from peanuts to kale. You can also learn how Ira and her colleagues at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange started to build soil health and renovate the soils early on in the history of their farming operation, which included multi-year cover cropping rotations and never leaving the soil bare during a fallow between crops. Check us out here or wherever you get your podcasts!
Friday, December 3rd, 2-3 PM: "Soil Health in the Urban Context: A Panel Discussion"
Join us to hear from a panel of experts from Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals, and VA Master Gardeners on the importance of managing soils in urban and suburban settings.
Panelists:
Thomas Bolles, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Shereen Hughes, Assistant Director, Wetlands Watch and Virginia Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program
Kevin McLean, VCAP Coordinator, Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Duane Mohr, Conservation Technician, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
Larry Newman, Master Gardener, Chesterfield County
