Soil workshop dishes the dirt
LANDHOLDERS have flocked to Booubyjan Hall to hear Dr Christine Jones give a presentation titled The Fundamentals of Soil.
Almost 60 people travelled from as far as Gin Gin, Mundubbera, Bundaberg, Gayndah and Toowoomba to attend the workshop, which was hailed a huge success by South East Burnett Landcare president Beth Shanks.
"Dr Jones' target is to help landholders to create healthy soil so their food has more nutrients so the health of the general population is better," Mrs Shanks said.
"Food nutrient levels have declined in the last 50 years by up to 85% in the case of some elements, which means we have to eat a lot more food to get the same nutrients, which is thought to be a contributing factor to obesity levels.
"It is all science-based, but it is understandable."
Dr Jones, an internationally renowned soil ecologist, focused on how to enhance biodiversity, increase biological activity, sequester carbon, activate soil nutrient cycles, restore water balance, improve productivity and create new top soil.
The workshop included simple steps landholders could take to active soil building processes to reduce acidification and salinisation.
