SOIL HEALTH

     My interest in learning and applying soil healthy practices has taken many twists and turns over the years, and has proven to me the need for continuing education. ---(example) back in 2015,  I decided biological testing was a needed step after hearing a presentation by Dr. Elaine Ingham on the Soil Food Web.  I didn't have a clue as to what those tests meant and participated in three webinars offered by Earthfort explaining different aspects of the tests.  My interpretation at the time was that my soils were a wreck.  Now, four years and several meetings later, the fog has lifted a little.  I have a better understanding of the Soil Food Web, the value of cultivar diversity, how soil microbes feed plant cultivars, what foods are needed by soil microbes, and how to supply those needs.  My current interpretation of those same tests(2015) are that my soils are not a wreck, but they need help.  No-tilling has improved our soil structure and saves moisture, but that is only part of the soil health picture.  No-tilling alone is not having a dramatic effect on the Soil Food Web (biological life in the soil).  In March, 2019,  I will retake the biological tests from the same locations to compare with the 2015.  Hopefully the crop diversity (9cCC, WW, Canola, 5cCC, WW) has made a positive impact on that field  
     While looking up information on organic soil amendments I was directed to a 1992 video on Soil Life in Japan.  That led me to Jay Fuhrers presentation, then to Dr. Nichols presentation.  All three complement each other.
      Earth Vision '92, has some poor quality video, but the translated narrative is quite good and the images/video from the electron microscope are very good and helpful to me in identifying bacteria, fungi, ameba, flagellates.  A statement from Dr. Elaine Ingham (back in 2014) that the first comprehensive book on soil biology was published in 1985, makes Earth Vision a fairly early work and explains why it incorporates, generalities, where we currently have more specifics.  Also, the video shows cultivation as an implied positive practice, which is now considered a negative practice for improving soil health.  All in all it is a good introduction that I found well worth the 30+ minutes to view.     Earth Vision '92(30:21
        A video about the importance of carbon, presented by Jay Fuhrer is nearly an hour and a half long.  This presentation is well organized and Fuhrer is an excellent presenter.
                               Jay Fuhrer-Carbon Cycle practiced(1:22:24)
        Building (soil) resilience, by Dr. Nichols also explains the importance of carbon, it's interaction with fungi and nutrient exchange making a case for incorporating cover crops.
                               Dr. Nichols-building resilience(1:01:45)