Understanding Carbon & Humics

FCLG: Farmers Sharing Calls

George Sims takes us on a journey to the beginning of the 20th Century, when orange growers only had four tools in their agronomy program. It's a tale that soon takes a twist with the advent of synthetic fertilizers around the time of World War Two. After decades of heavy use of these chemicals, and with many farmers seeing diminishing returns, it has left some asking "how do we do what's best for our soil?" From there, George leads us on a discussion of soil health and the vital role that carbon plays in our fields.

Highlights
6:30: A brief history of humics.
11:13: Soil vs. dirt. (You don't farm dirt.)
14:20: A history of citrus agronomy
17:25: The dawn of synthetic fertilizers; too much of a good thing is bad.
20:40: What's really best for our soils?
24:40: Excessive salt: why George first investigated carbon.
26:20: Organic matter and nutrient exchange in our soils.
32:43: More, more, more: Why this isn't the answer to agronomy and higher yields.
34:54: Carbon is the basis of all life.
35:43: Organic matter must go through a cycle.
37:47: Farmers must have faith!
39:10: How to evaluate carbon products.
46:25: Discussion Begins
47:04: The problem of excessive salt.
1:00:40: Explaining cation exchange capacity (CEC)
1:03:20: Dale's story about a soil health test and soil health challenges.
1:11:45: Products to manage slugs.
1:16:34: Try a sap test to look for nutrient deficiencies.
1:27:30: Does CarbonWorks CetaiN prevent nitrogen leaching?
1:30:40: Soil nitrate test discussion.