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What's new in the watershed?

Understanding the Haney Test - Upload

2/13/2023

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Last Tuesday, Dr. Rick Haney joined 31 attendees to talk about the Haney soil health test, which Haney began developing as a graduate student in the '90s. During his talk, Haney delved into the history, science, and importance of the soil test. The Haney test uses water to measure nutrients in the soil, instead of "extract[ing] soil with chemistry the soil never sees."

Haney cited the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, which is currently 3,275 square miles, to help make the case for soil testing. The over-application of nutrients is "money out of your pocket into watersheds, into drinking water, into the sea, into the Gulf... we've got to stop doing that." Results from the Haney test can help farmers understand what nutrients are available in the soil for crops so that they can reduce the number of inputs, thus reducing the chemical run-off into water.

Participants asked several questions, including timing and location of soil tests, activity levels of fungi, bacteria, and protozoa, and using cover crops. To learn more, click the button in this post to watch the recording. For questions, contact the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District at (319) 377-5960, extension 3. 

​"Farmers are looking for something new that helps them. We think this soil testing is one tool in the toolbox that can help you get down the road better."
​-Dr. Rick Haney

Click here to watch recording
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Understanding the haney test workshop

1/12/2023

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"Understanding the Haney Soil Health Test: A conversation with the experts" is a workshop being hosted by Linn County Soil Conservation, the Iowa Soybean Association, and the Marion NRCS/SWCD office. Learn more about the details of the Haney soil test and how to interpret results from the creator himself, Dr. Rick Haney.
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  • When: Tuesday, February 7th, 9:30am-11:30am
  • Where: Lowe Park, Oaks Room
    • 4500 10th St Marion, IA

The workshop is open to all, but is especially intended for farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals who have used the Haney test in the past or are interested in using it to guide their decisions to improve soil health. The test integrates chemical and biological measurements to assess nutrient availability to both soil microbes and plants. 
 
This workshop is free, and registration is not required, though the submission of an RSVP is appreciated. Visit <tinyurl.com/HaneyTalk> or scan the QR code to RSVP. Coffee and donuts will be provided courtesy of the Iowa Soybean Association. For questions, please email Alyssa Guritz at alyssa.guritz@ia.nacdnet.net or call (319)-377-5960, ext 3.
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New Soil Health Coordinator

12/22/2022

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A new Soil Health Coordinator for the Indian Creek Soil Health Partnership was hired at the end of October, after a six-month hiatus when previous coordinator, Emery Davis, began a new journey as Conservation Agronomist for Heartland Co-Op. 

The new Soil Health Coordinator is Alyssa Guritz. Alyssa came to us from Green Iowa AmeriCorps, serving six months at Matthew 25 in Cedar Rapids and one year at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education on the UNI campus. An Indiana native, Alyssa is no stranger to corn fields and cold. Alyssa studied Environmental Sustainability at Earlham College, from where she graduated in 2020.

​Alyssa will continue to conduct outreach to local landowners, partners, and community members to increase awareness around conservation, nutrient reduction, soil health, and water quality. To contact Alyssa, email alyssa.guritz@ia.nacdnet.net or call the Linn SWCD at (319)-377-5960, ext. 3.
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