Extension specialist Fay Benson conducts a demonstration at his New York Soil Health Trailer during the Organic at Cornell Field Day, July 16 at Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, New York.
By Kitty Gifford
On a hungry planet, where 95% of food comes from the soil, the health and preservation of soil in New York state and beyond is vital.
“The good news is, a growing network of innovative farmers, agricultural professionals and researchers are working daily to implement and promote practices that build soil health across the state,” said Joseph Amsili, Cornell Cooperative Extension associate. “We’re excited to continue working collaboratively to highlight these efforts.”
Amsili will coordinate activities in the Soil Health Center building at Empire Farm Days. Scheduled for Aug. 6-8 in Seneca Falls, New York, Empire Farm Days is the largest outdoor agricultural trade show in the Northeast.
Since 2015, the New York State Interagency Soil Health Working Group – and now the New York Soil Health program – have been working with Empire Farm Days organizers to promote soil health. Keynote speakers will include Harold van Es, professor of soil and water management in the School of Integrative Plant Science, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; and Ryan Maher, extension specialist in the Small Farms Program.
And the New York Soil Health Trailer will be at Empire Farm Days as part of its summer tour to educate the public on soil health and compaction in regional pastures.
“Seeing is believing,” said Fay Benson, extension specialist and New York Soil Health Trailer coordinator. “We have done presentations for everyone from crop and vegetable growers and farm employees to school students and military veterans interested in getting into farming.”