By Julie C. Suarez, Associate Dean, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Anyone deeply involved in agriculture in any context knows the fundamental importance of the dirt beneath our feet. While it tends to be somewhat romanticized in policymaking and ‘foodie elite’ circles, the reality is that great soil health is foundational to every crop grown in NYS and beyond.
That’s why I’m so proud to showcase two soil health related programs for NEAFA members in this newsletter. First, we have co-created with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation a new program, the New York Center for Organics Recycling and Education (NYCORE); and secondly, we have new ‘ish’ leadership of the New York Soil Health (NYSHI) Initiative.
Recognizing that NYS has an abundance of natural resources in the form of organics (food waste, etc.,) that can be diverted from landfills and utilized as soil amendments like compost and biochar where appropriate, Cornell CALS and DEC worked together to find a more permanent solution to ensuring that farmers and land managers have better access to technical assistance and education. https://cals.cornell.edu/ny-center-organics-recycling-education. The Center is now fully staffed with Dr. Deborah Aller, a soil scientist with a plethora of extension-based expertise leading our activities. One of her primary goals is to increase technical assistance to farmers and service professionals seeking to learn more, as well as to respond to emerging challenges and confront them head on with the science-based solutions. For instance, one of the first actions the NY CORE is taking is responding to farmer concerns around PFAS and PFOS. You can find more information about a planned webinar (which will be recorded) on the website above, which aims to provide knowledge around these forever chemicals, what we know, the research and education gaps that exist (they’re large) and what DEC’s rules and regulations are on the usage of biosolids.
Another great Cornell CALS program is the NY Soil Health Initiative, co-created with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. While this news may not be news to some of you, Dr. Joseph Amsili has assumed the leadership role in the Initiative. Under Joseph’s leadership, we’re continuing to work on the NY Soil Health Partnership (interested individuals and organizations are all welcome to participate in these quarterly meetings comparing soil health and resiliency strategies and news) and have continued to partner with farmers in applied research establishing soil health quality benchmarks, providing soil health and resiliency education through field days all throughout the state of NY, as well as providing very specific, farmer-tailored information on strategies to help steward soil resources. You can find more information about the program here: https://www.newyorksoilhealth.org/category/soil-health-news/
Every farmer and agribusiness professional I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing is passionate about the health of their soil, and the extraordinary importance of the ground beneath all of our feet. I hope these resources are helpful to you if you’re not already aware, and I’m always pleased for the opportunity to share Cornell CALS resources with the communities we seek to serve. Feel free to get in touch with our programs should you have questions, concerns.