Our Methods

Holistic Approach to Soil Health

We believe that improving soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture. Our methods are grounded in both scientific research and community-based practices. By integrating Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as cover cropping, no-till farming, and crop rotation, we promote farming practices that are environmentally and financially sustainable.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Cover Cropping: Utilizing cover crops to protect and enrich the soil.
• No-Till Farming: Reducing soil disturbance to maintain soil structure and health.
• Crop Rotation: Implementing diverse crop rotations to enhance soil fertility and control pests and diseases.

Research and Innovation Our commitment to research drives innovation in soil health. We collaborate with leading agricultural institutions and experts to develop and implement cutting-edge practices that benefit both the environment and the farming community.

Handbook for Leadership and Change 

Our goal is healthy soils, farms, and families. We believe that leadership and collaboration are the keys. Improving soil takes a willingness to see things differently and do things differently, at the individual, community, industry, and government levels. The OSN holds a collective desire to improve soil on our own farms, promote soil health in Ontario, and share our time, talents, and knowledge with each other to get there.

“Is it our job to push soil health or to just lead by example?”

asks Laurent (Woody) Van Arkel, a Dresden area farmer and co-founder of OSN.

“Trying to convert someone just creates animosity. I don’t want to judge anyone, but create a support group for ourselves to make our farms successful – and that will be our message.”

The real crisis of leadership and of soil health is when we believe it is someone else’s job to do it. We are all leaders, and our mission is to inspire and connect a community to make a difference

Social Networks for Healthy Soils 

Whether it be community organizing, innovation adoption, or change management – there are many social factors that influence success. We recently hosted a think tank of like-minded organizations to build a better understanding of the influence of social networks, social proofing, and social norms on change. We used our own case studies on soil health adoption to root theory in practice, but the key concepts are boundless.

Download Social Networks for Healthy Soils

Segment 2: Dive into the behavioral and economic science of networks, norms, and nudges with Tongzhe Li & Erin Nelson.

Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Exchange One of our core methods is facilitating peer-to-peer learning among farmers. We organize workshops, field days, and online forums where farmers can share their experiences, challenges, and successes in adopting BMPs. This approach not only enhances knowledge but also builds a strong, supportive community.

Monitoring and Evaluation We continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of our programs and practices. This ensures that we are meeting our goals and allows us to adapt and improve our strategies based on feedback and new research.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

We continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of our programs and practices. This ensures that we are meeting our goals and allows us to adapt and improve our strategies based on feedback and new research.