Soil Health & Testing Activity Worksheets
(1) Soil Health Overview Worksheet
(2) Planning Soil Sampling Worksheet
(3) Costs of Soil Health Assessments Table
What is soil health? How can I assess soil health on my farm? I'm using soil health building practices like compost, cover crops, reduced tillage. How do I tell if there are any beneficial effects in soil functioning? Where should I collect samples and when?
These worksheets lay a foundation for starting to answer these questions, focusing on desired outcomes, relevant indicators, practical planning steps, and cost considerations.
Soil Maps & Sample Collection
NRCS Soil Web Survey
Soil Web Survey Example
SoilWeb Interactive Map
The NRCS Soil Web Survey is a resource that provides helpful big-picture soil data & information that can be used for general farm planning. Bear in mind results are general approximations and most useful at larger scales.
Taking Soil Samples for Your Orchard - Video Series from UC Davis Fruit & Nut Center:
Part 1: Who, Where, and When
Part 2: Soil Sampling Equipment
Part 3: Taking Samples in the Orchard
Part 4: Preparing Samples for the Lab
Notes from farmer & soil scientist Arron Wilder (Marin county): Soil Sample Collection by Arron Wilder, Table Top Farms
Soil Texture
Soil Texture by "Feel" Video
NRCS Soil Texture and Structure "Feel" Method
Analyses & Interpretation Resources
List of selected labs for soil, water and tissue analysis
Soil Fertility Interpretation
Soil Fertility Interpretation Article
Soil Fertility Notes by Arron Wilder, Table Top Farms
Example - Soil Fertility Report from Table Top Farms
PLFA Interpretation
Example - Communicating Results of Soil Testing at Yagi Sisters Farm
Slakes App for Aggregate Stability
Soil Health Resources & Food for Thought
Soil Life Website: a great educational resource created by UC Davis graduate students.
Janzen et al. 2021, "The 'soil health' metaphor: illuminating or illusory?"
Understanding Farmer Knowledge of Soil and Soil Management - Case Study
Nutrient Management Resources
CDFA FREP's California Crop Fertilization Guidelines
UCCE Nutrient Management Lab
Efficient Nutrient Management in California Vegetable Production
Soil and Fertilizers
- Farmland Feasibility Criteria
- Agricultural Gypsum and Lime Compared
- Average Analysis of Organic Material
- Changing Soil pH
- Fertilizers
- Nitrogen
UC ANR Compost Resources
Compost Benefits & Environmental Concerns
Assessing Compost Quality for Agriculture
CDFA's On-Farm Compost Resources
USDA's California Climate Hub, Climate-Smart Agriculture: Compost Amendments
Sonoma Compost link
Presentations from a compost workshop
UCCE Compost Program in Sonoma County
On-Site Composting Presentation
One Page Compost Guide
Compost Note Keeping
Compost Regulations
Permitting Compostable Material Handling Facilities and Operations
Cornell Waste Management Institute
The Science & Engineering of Composting
