Interstate soil science learnings are being brought back to the region by the SW WA Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator Jenni Clausen – to inform local knowledge and extension activities.
Ms Clausen met recently with other Regional Soil Coordinators, who are aligned with Australia’s eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation hubs, for a field tour of agricultural systems near Hobart in Tasmania.
“A focus of the tour was horticultural systems ranging from ‘micro farming’ (small-scale operations) through to organic apple orchards as well as intensive salad leaf and vegetable production,” Ms Clausen said.
“Sustainable soil management is not straightforward and the group discussed complex management decisions relating to issues such as ‘24/7’ market demands for produce.”
The tour concluded with Registered Soil Practitioner training delivered by Soil Science Australia.
This training will take place in WA later in the year. To find out more and to register your interest, visit the Soil
Caption: SW WA Hub Regional Soil Coordinator Jenni Clausen inspects a soil pit at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture University Farm at Cambridge.
Science Australia website here.
Ms Clausen’s role is supported by the Australian Government through the SW WA Hub. She is based at SoilsWest at Murdoch University, with input from DPIRD and Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management.
Regional Soil Coordinators identify local soil issues and gaps in knowledge and create networks to connect people, collaborate and share knowledge. Together they contribute to a National Community of Practice led by Soil Science Australia, supporting the National Soil Strategy.
