Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Health indicators in an Indigenous Farm in the Northern Peace River Region of Canada
Citation
Hall, E.; Traverse, T.; Neuberger, P.; Gorzelak, M. and Shrestha, B. (2023). Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Health indicators in an Indigenous Farm in the Northern Peace River Region of Canada. Poster presented at First International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs Montreal 2023/10/04 - 2023/10/06.
Résumé en langage clair
Introduction:
Maintaining soil health and fertility development is the key to the sustainability of agriculture and food security. An Indigenous belief that “everything is connected” is key to the concept that “soil and soul” are connected, and thus should be honoured to sustain life in perpetuity. Some Indigenous people have been practicing farming based on their traditional skills and knowledge honouring the Soil-Soul connection since time immemorial. Indigenous agriculture includes closed loop organic farming by recycling nutrients within their own system.
Objectives:
To study western science, in support of, Indigenous knowledge.
Methodology:
We evaluated the soil health and quality on the Fourth Sister Farm in Progress, British Columbia, Canada. In an effort to apply decolonization concepts, the Indigenous grower decided on the types of farm yard manures (FYM) and crops before starting the experiment with conceptual help from the science team from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Five FYMs were tested in a two-year pilot project from 2021-2023: Bovine, Equine, Poultry, Swine, and Vermicompost. The first year crop was fava bean and the second year crop was oats. Soil samples were collected prior to planting to determine baseline soil health and nutrient characteristics. Bulk soil and rhizosphere samples were collected for microbiome analysis in August 2021 and July 2022. Nutrient soil sampling was collected after harvest in September in both years and tested for total soil organic carbon, microbial biomass and aggregate stability.
Findings:
Preliminary results suggest that vermicompost treated soils have better fungal richness, microbial biomass and soil nutrient conditions than other manures treated soils. Other soil health parameters did not differ by type of applied FYM.
Résumé
Introduction:
Maintaining soil health and fertility development is the key to the sustainability of agriculture and food security. An Indigenous belief that “everything is connected” is key to the concept that “soil and soul” are connected, and thus should be honoured to sustain life in perpetuity. Some Indigenous people have been practicing farming based on their traditional skills and knowledge honouring the Soil-Soul connection since time immemorial. Indigenous agriculture includes closed loop organic farming by recycling nutrients within their own system.
Objectives:
To study western science, in support of, Indigenous knowledge.
Methodology:
We evaluated the soil health and quality on the Fourth Sister Farm in Progress, British Columbia, Canada. In an effort to apply decolonization concepts, the Indigenous grower decided on the types of farm yard manures (FYM) and crops before starting the experiment with conceptual help from the science team from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Five FYMs were tested in a two-year pilot project from 2021-2023: Bovine, Equine, Poultry, Swine, and Vermicompost. The first year crop was fava bean and the second year crop was oats. Soil samples were collected prior to planting to determine baseline soil health and nutrient characteristics. Bulk soil and rhizosphere samples were collected for microbiome analysis in August 2021 and July 2022. Nutrient soil sampling was collected after harvest in September in both years and tested for total soil organic carbon, microbial biomass and aggregate stability.
Findings:
Preliminary results suggest that vermicompost treated soils have better fungal richness, microbial biomass and soil nutrient conditions than other manures treated soils. Other soil health parameters did not differ by type of applied FYM.