Researching Another Use for Wool
If you are interested in participating in a research project testing the effectiveness of wool pellets and raw wool as a soil amendment contact SDSPA.
SDSPA is teaming up with South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to research the benefits and potential issues with using wool as a soil amendment. The team is planning to create an experiment with a four section test plot, planting one control section (no changes), raw wool mulch as a mulch section, wool pellets on the soil section and wool pellets incorporated into the soil section.
There will be up to ten garden locations scattered throughout the state. Each location will be provided seed, planting directions and wool supplies. Gardeners will be to document, assist in collecting a soil sample for testing and keep (or giveaway) the produce grown.
The goal of this project is to determine how wool changes the organic matter, assists in maintaining soil moisture, if wool adds to the nutrient content of soil, and how plants respond to the addition of wool. Not only could the study determine wool is an excellent soil amendment, but it may provide another market for sheep producers. If you are interested in participating by either donating garden space or wool for the project, please contact Malisa Niles.