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AAFC - Coliforms Indicator

The Coliforms Indicator evaluates the relative risk of surface water contamination by pathogens from manure such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa, across agricultural areas in Canada.

AAFC - Pesticides Indicator

The Pesticides Indicator evaluates the relative risk of water contamination by pesticides across agricultural areas in Canada

AAFC - Soil Management

Erosion and runoff from agricultural land affects surface and groundwater quality as well as agricultural productivity. Read for an overview of these issues and their solutions.

AAFC - Nutrient management planning

The summary provides information on the impact of plant nutrients on water quality and how the careful management of nutrient inputs can mean economic efficiency for producers and improved water quality for others.

Farmland Access In British Columbia: Four Innovative Approaches

Farming and food production are the foundation of our local food system and key contributors to regional economies, retention of natural areas, provision of ecosystem services, and community well-being. There is growing public awareness and enthusiasm around building a sustainable local food and…

Balancing nitrogen and phosphorus on organic vegetable farms

In the first episode of the Organic BC podcast, they discuss on-farm research trials that compared different combinations of organic amendments (composts and organic fertilizer) and their impact to crop yield, soil carbon, input costs, and residual soil nutrients. Amy Norgaard, a former Master of…

Using tarps as overwinter soil cover

In this episode of the Organic BC podcast, we'll be learning about on-farm research trials that examined the role that silage tarps can play in managing agricultural soils in the winter months in British Columbia. Raelani Kesler, Master of Soil Science student with the Sustainable Agricultural…

The Impact of Biosolids on Soil Quality and Native Grasses

Biosolids are organic amendments resulting from municipal wastewater treatment processes. They contain appreciable amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter, and are regulated to meet safe pathogen levels and metal contents. In British Columbia (BC), 38,000 dry tonnes of biosolids are…

Vancouver Soil Map

This web-based tool provides unique learning opportunities on the topics of soil formation, urban agriculture, and ecological processes within an urban setting. The tool was designed with the intention of providing greater access to valuable information on land-use opportunities within the city of…

Northern BC (Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George): Finding our farm pollinators

Insects pollinate many crops. In some cases, this process is essential for food production (and hence, food security); however, in other cases, insect pollination may not be essential but can greatly increase yields. Understanding the pollination services being provided in an area requires…

SoilWeb200: An Introduction to Fundamental Soil Science Concepts

SoilWeb200 is an interactive introduction to basic soil science concepts, including soil classification, soil biology, and soil components.  It relates these concepts to soil various soil management issues.

Effects of Grassland Set-asides on Soil Quality

Effects of Grassland Set-asides on Soil Nutrient Availability and Crop Yields

Evaluating the Benefits of Short-term Grassland Set-asides on Delta Farmland

BC ACARN: Adaptation Strategies for Soil for Dairy Producers

Barley–Pea Intercropping: Growing Crops Together to Improve Land Productivity

Growing barley as the sole crop in a field has impacts on land productivity by decreasing soil carbon and nitrogen. Sustainable nitrogen management is challenging due to the increasing cost of nitrogen fertilizers, the emission of nitrous oxide, and the potential of nitrates contaminating both…

Fighting grapevine root diseases with brassica cover crops

This study explored the potential of four brassica cover crops to control soil borne pathogens in a no-till, vineyard setting.Vineyards can suffer significant economic loss due to crop destruction from soil-borne root diseases. This includes fungal trunk diseases found commonly in the Okanagan such…