​​​Achieving Healthy Soil in Low Rainfall Environments

December 2018 | 37 min., 29 sec.
by Katie L. Lewis
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas Tech University

Summary

​Semi-arid ecoregions have some of the harshest growing conditions, and while the principles of soil health management systems are the same across ecoregions, practices must be optimized for different environmental conditions. This presentation will help consultants, county agents, growers, and other practitioners in cotton-producing, semi-arid regions to understand the challenges of and practical solutions to implementing soil health-promoting practices. Specifically, in this presentation, practitioners will learn what soil health management systems include; how organic matter contributes to soil health; why soil health-promoting practices need to be regionally optimized; and what challenges are to be expected when using cover crops in semi-arid environments. By the end of this presentation, the practitioner should know more about the challenges of using cover crops in semi-arid ecoregions and how to overcome them to have healthier soils while maintaining farm profitability.

About the Presenter

Katie L. LewisKatie L. Lewis As an agricultural and environmental soil scientist, Dr. Katie Lewis is continually striving to enhance her understanding of the critical challenges currently facing agriculture and society. As the daughter of a South Texas farmer (Taft, San Patricio County), she was introduced at a young age to these challenges of sustainable agriculture and how they affect society. Dr. Lewis considers soil to be one of our most valuable natural resources, with the ability to produce food, feed and fiber, recycle wastes, filter and break down contaminants, and sequester carbon. As an assistant professor of soil chemistry and fertility at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas Tech University, Dr. Lewis is provided the opportunity through research and service to enhance the agricultural sustainability of the Texas High Plains region that is vitally important to both Texas and the nation, while helping educate future scientists, farmers, society, and policy-makers. Dr. Lewis received her BS in chemistry from Sam Houston State University in 2008. She received her MS and PhD in 2010 and 2014, respectively, from Texas A&M University. With a joint appointment at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Lubbock (75% research) and Texas Tech University (25% teaching), Dr. Lewis is deeply engaged in research, teaching and service.

Contact Information:
Email: katie.lewis@ag.tamu.edu

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