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    Beginner Lessons

    The Beginner Lessons form the foundation with a sound overview of the core concepts of food production.

    Intermediate Lessons

    The Intermediate Lessons allow students to experiment and prove the core concepts.

    Advanced Lessons

    The Advanced Lessons give students an opportunity to apply what they've learned in the previous levels.

    Lessons By Station

    Seed Starting Curriculum

    Soil Management Curriculum

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    What is a Food Desert?

    Gain insight into food deserts, the communities they impact, and how edible education may offer a solution.

    The Difference Between Rainwater and Tap Water

    Not all water is created equal especially when we're talking about the health and development of plants and people.

    Why Rain is Important

    Rain or the lack of an adequate supply can have profound effects on farming and the communities that rely on the harvest.

    Anatomy of a Seed

    It all begins with a seed and this article dives deep into the 5 primary parts of the seed that make it all possible.

Dirt Matters!

Dirt Matters!

Mason Jar Testing Time
Lesson: 2.5
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Soil Management
Format: Experiment
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 2.5 Dirt Matters

Lesson Overview

There are various ways to test soil and the mason jar test is one of the more important. This lesson shows students how to perform a mason jar test to evaluate soil texture and determine which amendments are most needed to improve the soil.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe the characteristics of good soil and identify amendments to improve soil texture.

Outcomes

Students will identify and apply amendments to the soil in order to improve the quality of the soil texture for food production.

Teach the Teacher

  • Soil Quality – Introduction to Soils
  • Dirt Matters – Vocabulary in Context
  • Mason Jar Soil Texture Test

Tools & Materials

  • Soil sample
  • Mason jar
  • Water
  • Dish soap

Activity

Not all soils are created equal and the idea of perfect soil is an elusive one. But the process of improving soil is a constant for any farmer regardless of the size of land they tend.

The only way to truly understand the condition of the soil is by frequent and repeated testing. Look for deficiencies in texture, nutrients, or biota and apply an amendment to remedy the issue. Then retest to see just how big of an impact your efforts have made.

Compost teas introduce nutrients, fungi, bacteria, and organic particulates into the soil. Side dressing plants with finished compost provides a slow release fertilizer that benefits production over time and adds organic material, And proper use of crop rotation and cover cropping can help to minimize the stress on the system as a whole.

But the starting point is to establish a baseline, to understand exactly what the composition and texture of your soil is to start. Evaluate the texture of the soil in the raised planters by performing a Mason Jar Soil Texturing Test (Additional Resources). Determine which natural inputs could be used to improve the texture.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

This lesson, and all other lessons on this website, are intended for use by teachers in the classroom. These lessons are protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of lesson content, supporting materials, or digital creative is prohibited with written permission from Modern Steader LLC.

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