Classroom module 1 (half day) - Introductions; farmer motivations for attending the course:

Importance of soil health

• Getting to know the soil’s character - understanding sites and soil, how to interpret a soil map
• Principles of soil health (chemical, physical, biological)
• Measuring and monitoring soil health and performance using key indicators

The key role of soil organic matter (SOM) in soil health

• An overview of soil function including the maintenance of soil structure, the need for fertility and the value of organic matter/ types of organic matter
• What is SOM and how we measure it
• SOM and soil structure
• Building SOM – gains and losses of SOM via management
• The use of different soil amendments (similarities, differences and impacts)
• Critical levels of SOM and using soils for carbon storage for GHG mitigation

Field and classroom-based Module 2 (half day)

Monitoring soil health in the field

• How to get the best information about soil health from the field using soil sampling and field measurements
• Putting it all together in the field, a practical session

Key practices to improve soil health (content below is indicative – the topics covered will be shaped to meet the interests and requirements of attendees)

• Managing soil to reduce the impact of compaction and erosion
• Building arable rotations and increasing rotational diversity - the structure of crop rotations and how rotational intensity can impact upon performance
• Impacts of diverse swards in grassland systems
• Using cover crops to improve soil health and worm populations
• Different methods of cultivation and establishment on soil health
• Using knowledge of soil health to adapt the nutrient management plan for a field

Developing a soil management plan

Trainers are accredited by ARTIS

Participants receive an ARTIS Accredited Certificate