The Soil Resource Group was established in 1998 as a resource management-consulting firm conducting applied research in the agricultural and environmental sectors and providing land resource services to government agencies and landowners. A broad understanding of natural resources and agricultural livestock and crop production systems has led to strong working relationships with Ontario producers, producer groups, and federal/provincial agricultural agencies.
Business activities have ranged from agricultural policy assessment to applied research on issues of soil and water quality, manure/biosolids management, management of horticultural water and environmental growing conditions, environmental microbiology, and beneficial management practices (BMPs). Notable policy issues addressed include greenhouse gas emission studies and associated protocol development for the agricultural sector and an evaluation of provincial nutrient management standards and regulations. Recent applied research investigations have evaluated issues related to beneficial management practices in the horticulture and crop production sectors, agricultural watershed water quality (nutrients, pathogens, herbicides), manure and biosolids management, and environmental indicators. Land resource services provided are related to nutrient management planning, resource monitoring during construction practices and a range of land evaluation issues. Experience in conducting soil surveys and associated agricultural soil capability classifications (CLI) is employed in addressing many land evaluation questions. Similarly, experience in nutrient management planning regulations has been employed in addressing minimum distance of separation (MDS) calculations required in regional and municipal planning considerations.
Professional staff and associates at the Soil Resource Group have post-graduate level training in the fields of soil science, agronomy, pedology, hydrology and environmental microbiology. The agronomy professionals offer certified crop advisor and registered nutrient management planner designations. The SRG has worked in cooperation with the public sector, the private sector and several producer groups and individual producers in conducting comprehensive research studies.
