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This 4 part training gives a broad overview and introduction to some basic soil characteristics: phases (solid, liquid, gas), texture, density, structure, reaction (pH), plant-water relationships, organic matter, biology and nutrients. 

After some classroom discussion we went head out to into the ECHO Farm where we looked at soil profiles with different soil horizons to point out textural, color, density, and structural differences. Participants practiced determining soil texture by feel.

Special thanks to Dr. Landon Darilek for giving thes presentations at the ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand June-Sept 2020. 

In addition to resources found here, Landon recommends the following resources as very helpful to this subject matter:



  1. This 1/2 day training gave abroad overview and introduction to some basic soil characteristics: phases (solid, liquid, gas), texture, density, structure, reaction (pH), plant-water relationships, organic matter, and nutrients. After some classroom discussion we went head out to into the ECHO Farm...
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  11. This video is Session 3 part 3 of our ongoing training on "Introduction to Soil Science." This training gives a broad overview and introduction to some basic soil characteristics: phases (solid, liquid, gas), texture, density, structure, reaction (pH), plant-water relationships, organic matter,...
  12. 2020-09-11 Why is organic matter important? What causes biological degradation? How can I assess my soil biology and how can I improve it? This training is the 4th in a series discussing soil science.
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