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Measuring agricultural soil health: Exploring the path from data to decision-making

Science Hall Colloquium
Dr. Hava Blair, LU’13, Dept. of Soil Science at UW Madison

What does it mean to measure soil health in agricultural systems? Once we measure it, how can we translate the science into practice to support sustainable agriculture? In this presentation, I will share how I have grappled with these questions through research conducted in farm fields, at laboratory benches, and between the pages of more than 200 meta-analyses drawn from the literature. My research journey took me into the fields of 27 commercial farms across Minnesota, where I quantified the effects of agricultural practices on the soil with a suite of commonly used soil health indicators. This on-farm research experience spurred me to think more broadly about what it takes to translate science to practice. How do we synthesize primary research into a body of evidence that might be useful for decision-making? I will share how I explored one facet of this question through the lens of meta-research, and how I continue to explore it through my current work as a soil scientist who develops decision support tools for agriculture in Wisconsin.

Location:	Steitz Hall 102
Contact:	Marcia Bjornerud marcia.bjornerud@lawrence.edu
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