Soil Testing Workshop with Dr. John Spargo 2012

Join Dr. John Spargo, Director of UMASS Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory for a soil testing workshop at Waltham Fields Community Farm.

Dr. John Spargo is the director of the Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab which is located in the West Experiment Station on the UMass Amherst campus. The lab provides test results and recommendations to commercial growers and home gardeners to help them make well-informed and economical decisions related to plant nutrition, soil fertility, and nutrient management.

Prior to joining UMass, John worked for the USDA – Agricultural Research Services in Beltsville, Maryland where he focused on soil fertility management and nutrient cycling in organic forage and grain cropping systems. During his tenure, John collaborated with several organic farmer-collaborators who helped identify critical issues related to soil fertility and nutrient management, and who facilitated the design and execution of relevant on-farm research.  John earned his doctoral and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech, and his bachelors from Texas A&M. His graduate and undergraduate studies examined a range of soil management related issues including carbon sequestration, soil quality, phosphorus availability, nitrogen cycling, nutrient runoff and leaching, and soil erosion.

During the Soil Testing Workshop at Waltham Fields Community Farm, Dr. Spargo will demonstrate how to take a proper soil test to participants in the Learning Garden. Following the field portion of the workshop, John will discuss the analysis and results of soil tests. Then participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about their gardens. 

Members: $10 and Non Members: $15.  Pre-registration Required

Before or after the workshop, stop by WFCF's Annual Seedling Sale to purchase a few seedlings to start your garden!