Local and Scientific Soil Knowledge
A presentation made to the FRN working group about scientists’ and farmers’ assessments of soil health.
It is widely acknowledged that farmers understand much about their soils. This ‘local soil knowledge’ ( LSK ) is often expressed in terms different from scientists’ soil knowledge ( SSK). Soil knowledge can be distinguished in 3 areas; this helps to move beyond the idea that knowledge is just soil classification or management practices.
- Kosmos ’ what we believe about soil’s place in the universe (e.g. a component of “mother earth” in many cultures)
- Corpus ’ what we know about soils in general, e. g. “texture is the result of the proportions of sand, silt, and clay”
- Praxis ’ all of our practical and management knowledge , e.g when is best to till, why/why not not to till, why legumes, how does manure regenerate a soil, etc.
Resource Download:
SteveVanek-RicCoe-Soil knowledge_2020-04 (pdf)
Source:
Steven J. Vanek and Ric Coe
Date:
4/4/2020