Examine best management practices for improving soil health.

Examination should include

the current state of the soil (e.g., organic matter, macronutrient and micronutrient availability)
the planned use of the soil
sources of nutrient loss
soil management practices (e.g., no-till farming, conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching, grassed waterways, buffer strips [e.g., riparian buffers, contour buffers, filter strips]).

Process/Skill Questions:

What types of nitrogen are leaching and non-leaching? Why is this concept important to waterways?
What is organic matter?
What is a riparian buffer, and why are they important?
What effect does organic matter have on the physical and chemical properties of soil?
What soil conservation practices can producers utilize to prevent soil degradation and build organic matter?
What are the environmental costs to not using best management practices for a given area?
Why is no-till farming recommended by soil scientists as a best practice?
Why is rotational grazing recommended for increasing soil health?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic vs. inorganic sources of fertilizer (e.g., conventional fertilizer vs. natural manure)?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using biosolids?

Teacher Resources: