Soil Extension Officer

About the soil extension officer

The soil extension officer role was created to promote management practices that contribute to better soil health and lead to sustainable soil management practices through resources, education and training sessions, and on-ground trials and demonstrations. The activities of the soil extension officer also assist to increase the overall adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across the Murraylands and Riverland region.

The soil extension officer provides an important service to help land managers develop their understanding of soil testing and soil test interpretation, implement practices to improve soil health, and understanding the value of soil data as a decision-making tool. The soil extension officer is responsible for a number of different activities designed to help farmers better understand soil health, soil testing and the incorporation of best-practise soil health techniques, including:

• The development and monitoring of regionally specific demonstration sites
• Providing advice to landholders about soil health, soil testing and the integration of techniques to improve soil performance
• Helping landholders access soil testing incentive schemes such as the Emissions Reduction Fund soil carbon project
• Developing information and resources for landholders.

In addition, the soil extension officer also plays a connective role between related industry groups to increase collaboration and communication in the realm of regional sustainable agricultural systems.

How can the soil extension officer help me?

The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board’s soils extension officer can support land managers looking to boost the sustainability, productivity and profitability of their enterprise.

If you’re looking for advice or support to navigate soil testing and interpretation, or you’d like to benefit from the expertise of our dedicated soil extension officer, call Barrie Williams on 0427 834 396 or email Barrie.Williams@sa.gov.au

Advisory services available to landholders through the soils extension officer project are free, excluding external on costs such as soil testing.

Available resources

Information and resources developed through the soil extension officer program include:

• Farm-Scale Composting
• Farm-Scale Vermicomposting
  
• Farm-Scale Biochar Production
• Understanding soil microbiology

Support for events and industry groups

Our soil extension officer is available to speak to land managers at field days, conferences and meetings. Please call Barrie Williams to discuss on 0427 834 396.

Keep up to date

More information about the soil extension activities, events and resources will be features in our quarterly e-newsletter Soil Matters. Click here to subscribe.

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the Smart Farms Small Grants program which is a component of the National Landcare Program.