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Implementing and Correlating Soil Health Management and Assessment in Western States

This project focuses on inventorying the nature and condition of agricultural soils across the state and comparing Alaska soils to soils across the western US. This work involves conducting comprehensive soil tests at established home gardens, commercial and market farms, community farm projects and research farms and providing an interpretive report with recommendations for soil management and fertilizer plans to each participant. By understanding the status of soil health in Alaska, we can refine recommendations on how best to manage it. This project is part of the W1196 Hatch multistate working group and is supported by a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

Soil Depth and Agricultural Potential in Alaska: Characterizing Soil Profile Function at Northern Latitudes and Anticipating Change in a Warming World; Dynamic Soil Properties for Soil Health: The Science of Soil Health Across Alaska

These projects aim to characterize agricultural soil function in Alaska’s main agricultural regions. Recognizing that temperature and precipitation are major drivers of soil productivity, we have developed a small network of soil climate monitoring stations that provide continuous measurements of soil water content and temperature through the profile. These sites have been fully characterized for their soil morphology. With repeated soil sampling and analysis, we monitor dynamic soil properties including nutrient fluctuations, decomposition, root growth and microbial activity. This network includes sites that compare natural forest, open cultivated fields and beds within high tunnels, as well as locations that have perennial grass cover. These projects are supported by a collaborative agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Hatch capacity funds.

Cover Crop and New Rotational Crop Evaluations

Crop rotation is a fundamental principle of sustainable agriculture, but can be challenging in Alaska’s short growing season, which limits crop options. This research evaluates cover crop species and new varieties that may fit into Alaska’s main crop rotations. We monitor the risks and benefits of different cover crop species. We assess the growth, yield and quality of new potential forage and seed crops, including alfalfa, flax, camelina and sunflower. This research is a collaboration with the Agricultural Research Service and supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems program.

Biochar Soil Application Trial

Biochar is charcoal intended as a soil amendment and is useful for reducing hazardous forest fuels and storing carbon. For this project we evaluated how soil responds to applications of locally produced biochar and measured a variety of soil nutrient, carbon and water-holding properties. 

Alaska Residue Management Strategies (ARMS)

The goal of this project was to evaluate if cover crops can help break down small-grain residue (straw) left in the field after harvest. The excess straw protects soil in the off-season but can interfere with subsequent crops and keep the soil cool and wet. We compared plots with different residue loads and with/without a mixed-species cover crop. We measured soil temperature and water content, carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial activity and how much of the residue breaks down in a growing season.