NETWORK NEWS
AN OVERVIEW OF THE LIVING SOIL NETWORK’S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
For the purpose of demonstrating the profound benefits of soil ecosystem restoration, the Living Soil Network has begun a number of studies and demonstration plots in southern Maine. Below, you will find a list of our projects, with links to short articles about each one.
Perennial Cover Crop Study ~ this project will document the effects of low growing, perennial cover crops on potato cultivation.
Lead Remediation Project ~ this project will document the use of soil biology in combination with perennial plants that have a strong mycorrhizal affinity, as a method for removing lead from garden soil.
Lawn Restoration Project in Portland’s Western Promenade ~ the purpose of this project is to educate the public by demonstrating that a very disturbed grassy area of a city park can be brought back to life using only microbial inoculants.
Sawyer Street Park Community Garden ~ this demonstration plot will publicize the effects of soil ecosystem restoration on garden vegetable production.
Common Ground Fair 2022 ~ the Living Soil Network set up a booth in the Agricultural Demonstration Area of the fair and provided over 90 free biological soil samples to fair participants! We also gave two well attended talks titled “Ecological Gardening ~ Relaxing Into the Natural World”.
Jordan Farm Study ~ In 2022, the Living Soil Network undertook a simple study on the effects of living soil on kale cultivation at Jordan Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Suburban Garden Study ~ In 2022, the Living Soil Network completed a controlled scientific experiment at our demonstration garden in South Portland, Maine. This study clearly demonstrated the success of using microbes to transform compacted dirt into vibrant productive soil in one calendar year.