Ranchers on unirrigated pastures have traditionally had limited options for large-scale tools that affect soil health. Emerging research suggests that using materials like compost and biochar (a charcoal-like substance made from waste wood) may be as effective for holding soil moisture and protecting the surface from erosion as bale grazing is known to be. However, we know that not every area responds the same way to management practices. Join us to be part of setting up a new demonstration site at a ranch owned by a New Agrarian Program alum in the Texas panhandle to compare these practices side-by-side.

Participants will learn methods of applying organic amendments and of monitoring the impacts of organic amendments from Eva Stricker, who has been running experiments and demonstrations about how agricultural producers can make waste production and build soil health for four years. Most importantly, participants will network with people who share a vision for building resilience and productivity on working lands.

The morning will be spent getting to know each other over coffee and snacks and learning about how compost, biochar, and bale grazing align with healthy soil principles and contribute to reducing waste that would otherwise go to a landfill or be at risk of wildfire. Participants will learn in-field monitoring techniques to assess water flows, resistance to erosion, and soil carbon, in addition to more familiar techniques like clip plots for forage production. In the afternoon, participants will help spread biochar for the demonstration, and then pile into trucks for a tour of the ranch to give a broader context to the rancher’s interests and goals.

Agenda:

8 a.m. Registration and coffee

8:30 – 9 a.m. Introductions

9 – 10:15 a.m. What are organic amendments?

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. How do we evaluate if our management is building soil health? (Demonstration of in-field assessments)

12 – 1 p.m. Lunch (bring your own lunch!)

1 – 2 p.m. Spread biochar

2 – 4:30 p.m. Ranch tour

4:30 – 5 p.m. Close and complete evaluations

Each participant will receive a copy of Quivira’s “Soil Health Workbook.”