NOFA Complete Approaches to Fertility: Soil to Foliar

 NOFA/Mass Registration Required – Register Here

Your farm’s fertility plan doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right tools and approach, it can be grounded, methodical, informed and even fun.

In this full-day, hands-on workshop, we’ll explore practical ways to assess soil health and develop effective fertility strategies, with a focus on agroforestry systems. The morning will center on building a clear, functional understanding of soil health through biological, physical, and chemical lenses. Participants will practice simple, field-based assessments to better understand compaction, soil structure, and nutrient dynamics, and discuss amendment and management strategies that support soil function over time, especially in degraded or transitioning landscapes.

After lunch, we’ll shift our focus to foliar sprays: liquid nutrient and biological applications applied directly to plant leaves. Foliar sprays can be a powerful tool on any farm, and particularly in agroforestry systems, where perennial crops, young trees, and compromised soils often benefit from targeted, responsive nutrition. Used thoughtfully, they can help support plant health, improve nutrient uptake, and reduce stress while longer-term soil improvements take hold. Participants will learn how to choose appropriate foliar strategies, mix and apply sprays, and evaluate their effectiveness in the field.

Throughout the day, we’ll:

Assess key soil health indicators such as compaction and nutrient needs
Understand Big River Chestnuts’ approach to soil remediation and supporting young tree establishment
Enjoy a delicious, locally sourced lunch
Compare different foliar spray methodologies and determine which are appropriate for your operation
Mix and apply a foliar spray in a hands-on demonstration
Use application equipment and a refractometer to measure results in the field