News and Workshops| Soil Foodweb is an international soil biology group providing laboratory soil testing and soil biology consultancy services. It was founded by Dr Elaine Ingham, a leading international soil microbiologist. The systems developed by Dr Ingham have been designed to analyse the microbiology present in soil samples and to develop appropriate responses to achieve desired levels and balances of soil microbiology. |
QUOTE:
The earth neither grows old nor wears out if it is dunged.
- Columella, circa 45 A.D.
See the articles on manure and composts later in this newsletter.
The Month That Was
It has been a very hectic period of workshops and presentations around the country,from North Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Southern NSW and back to our home base in Lismore, Northern NSW. The team in the Lismore lab have kept the processes running smoothly during our absences, so there was not too much of a backlog when we returned. But, to rub salt into the wound, we are back in time to face all the end of financial year hassles! We met lots of new people and very many old friends during our travels and look forward to keeping in touch in future.
Electronic Manuals
SFI continue to improve service availability, options and delivery. A number of SFI audio materials are now available as downloadable MP3 files. Titles available are:
- A Plant Production Overview
- Actively Aerated Compost Tea
- Grass Systems
- Introduction to the Soil Foodweb
- Row Crops and Vegies
- The Compost Foodweb
To purchase any of these products, please just click on "Electronic Manuals" from the list on the left hand side of the SFI homepage. Select the item(s) that you require and when your shopping is complete, proceed to the checkout. After your payment has cleared, you will be sent an email containing the link to your files. You will have 24 hours in which to download your files.
TIP OF THE MONTH
This month's tip comes from Dr Ingham and relates to compost tea brewers: I'd suggest the simple brewers, where cone tanks are used, with a valve in the cone so you can close the tank, put the air pump on the cone, turn the air pump on, open the valve, and allow aeration. When finished with the brewing, you close the valve, remove the pipe to the air pump, and drain the tea into the tank for spraying. Simple, easy, with nothing but the walls of the cone tank to clean. High pressure washers are all that is needed, no other surfaces to scrub.
QUOTE:
Most of all one discovers that the soil does not stay the same, but, like anything alive, is always changing and telling its own story. Soil is the substance of transformation.
- Carol Williams