Soil Health Tour Thorndale Demonstration Farm

Our Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Stewardship Team recently hosted a highly informative Soil Health Tour at the Thorndale Demonstration Farm for 35 attendees. 

Established in 2021, the Thorndale Demonstration Farm showcases how a number of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) can improve and protect soil health and water quality while maintaining productivity in the southern Ontario landscape. Agricultural Stewardship Staff kicked the day off with a tour of the suite of BMPs being implemented and a brief background on the soil health of the farm. 

Chris Meier (A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.) covered the basics of nutrient uptake and crop response, nutrient balance, and the importance of knowing your soil including how to interpret soil test results and recommendations. 

The day ended with a presentation by Ted Taylor and Adam Hayes from the Soil Resource Group where they described various soil profiles taken on the Thorndale Demonstration Farm. Their expertise included how soil health has been shaped by geological processes, topography of the field and farming practices from the past and present. 

We appreciate everyone taking the time to join us, learn, share their insights, and connect with the speakers and others about building healthier soils and more resilient farms. Thank you to Chris Meier, Adam Hayes, and Ted Taylor for their informative presentations! 

Coming up in October (date TBD) – Join us for a fall field tour at the Wildwood Demonstration Farm near St. Marys to learn about the newly installed sub-irrigation drainage system.  

View more photos here: Soil Health Tour – Thorndale Demonstration Farm | Flickr