Winter Zoom Discussion Series - 2026
Kootenay Soil Building Network (KSBN)
Each Kootenay farm has a unique soil type, different access to farm inputs and their own approach to cultivating a sustainable farm business. The Kootenay Soil Building Network (KSBN) is a venue for farmers to share their successes, questions, and tribulations with soil building in the Kootenays.
Online Zoom discussions in 2026 will focus on key topics for the forage and veggie sector and share experiences from the field. Hosted and facilitated by Rachael Roussin, Mike Malmberg and Sarah Hirschfeld with the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors and Jeff Nimmo with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
These events are formatted as group discussions with resource people in attendance so bring your questions and ideas.
Recordings at a glance:
- January 14: Enhanced Efficiency Urea Fertilizers and Reducing Loss of Nitrogen
- January 21: Fertilizer Utilization & Cost Effectiveness
- January 28: Compost vs. Fertigation for Onion Production
- February 4: Phosphorus Availability
- February 11: Soil Building for Market Gardens
The Kootenay Soil Building Network is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Regional Extension Program – with financial support provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Forage
Enhanced Efficiency Urea Fertilizers and Reducing Loss of Nitrogen
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
This session explored ways to optimize fertilizer use, reduce nitrogen loss, and consider different types of nitrogen fertilizers. Jeff Nimmo, Regional Agrologist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, discussed key considerations and the attributes of slow-release fertilizers, and facilitated discussion with producers about fertilizer management. Funding incentives available through programs such as Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) to support fertilizer optimization and adoption of slow-release fertilizers were also discussed.
Slow release fertilizer resource list :
- Document from Montana State University: Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer
- Article from the Western Producer: How do Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers work?
- Online training courses, Farm Resilience Mentorship: About Nitrogen
- Funding Opportunities in 2026 with Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC:
Fertilizer Utilization & Cost Effectiveness
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
This session featured producers sharing their fertilizer management strategies. Yield response curves, fertilizer application best practices, and guided discussion were supported by resource specialists and local farmers, with plenty of opportunity for questions. Guest resource specialists: Lindsay Benbow, Forage Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Mike Malmberg, Farm Advisor, forage & economics.
Find full meeting notes & resources archive here. Video recording below.
Resource List:
- Article: Nitrogen use efficiency to minimize volatilization – Montana University – N Volatilization
- Video: Nitrogen practices to maximize efficiency: Why these Soil Nitrogen Management BMPs with Dr. Burton – 2025
- Fact Sheet: Nutrient Requirements and Yield Potential for Grass and Hay – Government of Alberta
- Fact Sheet: Soil and Nutrient Management of Alfalfa – Government of Alberta
- Report: Cost and returns of ranching – Cost of Returns of Sample Ranching Business in BC – 2025
- Hay Calculator for Cost of Production: Manitoba Standing Hay Cost Calculator
- Report: Emission reduction targets from fertilizer: The Economics of 4R BMP Implementation and Emissions Reductions
Market Gardens
On-Farm Trial: Compost vs. Fertigation for Onion Production
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
In 2025, Scott Humphries of Bent Plow Farm conducted an on-farm trial comparing different fertility treatments for their onion crop to assess impacts on yield, quality, and overall on-farm efficiency. Scott shared results from the controlled trial, including costs and the pros and cons of fertigation versus compost, along with reflections on soil nutrient management and plans for 2026.
Resources: Bent Plow Farm – Case Study: using compost and organic based fertilizers for vegetable production
Phosphorus Availability
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for crop production that farmers typically get from either animal inputs or fertilizers. In this discussion we will review the main chemical traits of phosphorus and discuss plant availability from animal or mineral forms. Bring your questions to this discussion about your phosphorus inputs and how they might interact with the soil, soil microbes and plant uptake.
Resource specialists:
Jeff Nimmo, Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Ruth McDougall, M.Sc, PAg (consultant). Ruth is an acknowledged expert in BC in the on-farm management of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural waste, fertilizing residuals, and soil fertility. She prepares Nutrient Management Plans for a wide range of types of agricultural operations on an ongoing basis.
Soil Building for Market Gardens – Case Study Panel
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Kootenay Soil Building Network documented three certified organic farms including Bent Plow, Cartwheel, and Crooked Horn looking at each farm’s unique approach and cost to soil management. This panel discussion will hear from the three participating farms about the process to reflect on their farm’s soil building history and next steps.
Producers (Zoom participants) are encouraged to engage in discussion about soil building!
- Bent Plow (PDF) – using compost and organic based fertilizers for vegetable production
- Cartwheel Farms (PDF) – using compost and organic based fertilizers for vegetable production
- Crooked Horn (PDF) – using plant based organic fertilizers for vegetable production
2025 Discussion Series
The Kootenay Soil Building Network is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Regional Extension Program – with financial support provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
