WSU To Host Soil Health Workshop

Washington State University will host its Tree Fruit Soil Health Workshop: SoilCon on Thursday, February 27th. The 3 ½ hour event will focus on :

What is tree fruit soil health?
What is the new Soil Health Initiative?
Soil health management tools to help mitigate tree stress and improve fruit quality in the face of climate extremes.
Tools to mitigate replant disease.

SoilCon starts at 1 p.m. at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee,285 Technology Center Way #102, Wenatchee, WA 98801. A virtual option will be available as well. WSU says pre-registration is required, and space is limited for in-person participants.

Register in person or Register for virtual attendance. WSU noted virtual attendees will be able to listen to and view speaker talks but not participate in activities.

Here is the Agenda for SoilCon:

1:00 pm          Introduction – What is tree fruit soil health? Where are we going?
Welcome. Results from a five-year study. Brief outline of Soil Health Initiative and LTARE.  Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension

1:30 pm          Living soil. Nematodes, mycorrhizae and more.
                        Tom Forge, Summerland Research Center; Tracey Somera, USDA ARS

2:10 pm          Soil health measurements activity – Measuring organic matter
Active Carbon and Particulate Organic Matter.

2:25 pm          Soil biology activity.  Nematodes under the microscope. Mycorrhizal spores.

2:35 pm          Break

2:50 pm          Practices which buffer environmental stress – mulches and om additions
                        Kirsten Hannam  Experiences from Summerland BC.

3:15 pm          Whole orchard recycling Amisha Peterson, UC Davis

3:45 pm          Standard operating procedures for using mustardmeal to mitigate replant disease.  Tianna DuPont (co-authors Mark Mazzola, Shashika Hewivatharna, Tracey Somera).  Information from recently completed 6-yr study.

4:00 pm          Closing and Evaluations