Presenter: Joe Altis, Ailts Agronomy
Description: Joe Ailts, an independent consultant/agronomist from northwestern Wisconsin was the speaker for the December Organic Producer group meeting. Joe, owner of Ailts Agronomy, works as a WI Certified Crop Advisor with the Sustainability specialty certification. He researches and implements soil health and regenerative agriculture practices on the farms he consults for and his own family farm where he grows pumpkins, sweet corn, cover crops and soil.
Using the Haney test as a tool for soil testing was emphasized in Ailts’s presentation. He specifically advised using the tool to set a benchmark and then retesting for comparison as farmers work to build organic matter. Results of the test should shape in-season decisions. A unique measurement of Haney is “water extractable organic nitrogen,” which is a more accurate accounting of nitrogen in the soil.
Mycorrhizal fungi was hailed by Ailts as possibly the most important species on the planet. He illustrated how they build a web network in the soil that grabs nutrients plants would not ordinarily reach. Farmers could consider seed inoculants to boost their presence. A book Ailts recommended is “Mycorrizal Planet” by Michael Phillips.
This video was recorded as part of the December 2024 SDSPA Organic Operators Meeting.
Recorded: Dec. 11, 2024
Video: Haney TestThis segment has been funded under a Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreement NR246740XXXXC008 between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA), to promote sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA or NRCS.