SFI Premium Package: A$3,000.00

This package is tailored to meet the specific needs of the grower and delivers not only soil analyses but also intensive mentoring from an appointed SFI representative for the term of the contract.

A total foodweb and soil chemistry (soluble, exchangeable, and extractable nutrients) test will be performed on the soil samples supplied. Based on these findings a general year-long program for improving the soil food web will be created and supplied to the grower. The program will determine the most practical means of funding the transition from a chemical growing system to a biological paradigm. Where possible the goal will be a cost neutral exercise while in transition.

Ongoing interactions with the SFI representative will ensure you are able to remain on track to reach the desired outcomes painlessly. The SFI Premium Package includes the following: A monthly phone consultation will be undertaken to clarify the test results and incorporating suggestions on next actions to take including the use of compost, compost tea or extracts and other biological inputs. Specific recipes for the compost, tea or amendments will be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Tips on where to find good compost, humus, compost extract, compost tea, and bacterial versus fungal foods are supplied. One initial Soil Biology Analyses: Total Foodweb Package per program area. One initial Soil Chemistry Analyses: Albrecht / Reams, micronutrients, and Total Extractable nutrients per program area. Ongoing testing as deemed necessary by SFI which includes Soil and Compost, Leaf Organism Coverage Assay, Compost Tea and Compost Extract assays throughout the year. All data will be supplied to the grower in an Excel worksheet format which SFI will constantly update on an ongoing basis.

Our lab analysis of your sample will examine the following key areas of soil health:

Total Bacteria: (TB) The optimal bacterial biomass in the soil varies according to crop, climate and season. If it is not within the desired range, bacterial inocula or foods may be required.

Total Fungi: (TF) As with bacteria, the optimal range varies according to crop, climate and season, and may require amendment in the way of inocula or foods if outside this range.

Active Bacteria: (AB) The Active Bacteria i.e. those currently metabolizing organic compounds and directly nourishing the plants. If these levels are too low, bacterial foods may be required to stimulate the dormant population.

Active Fungi: (AF) As with bacteria, only those fungi which are currently growing and metabolizing are directly nourishing the plants, so the dormant part of the population may need feeding if the activity is low.

Protozoa: (Prots) These large single-celled organisms feed upon bacteria and excrete nitrogen in the plant available form of ammonium, so are essential to healthy plant growth. One morphological group, the Ciliates are an important indicator as to the aerobic conditions of the soil. They prefer to feed on anaerobic bacteria, so a high ciliate population may indicate anaerobic conditions which need to be addressed.

Nematodes: (Nem) A very large group of very small worms existing everywhere on earth. Of the soil-dwelling species, some cause significant crop damage, some prey on other nematodes, and most graze on bacteria and fungi. Both the predators and bacterial & fungal feeders cycle nitrogen in to a plant available form. We count the number in a given weight of soil, and identify them to genus and function.

Mycorrhizal Colonization: (VAM) Over 90% of all plants of Earth form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Living inside the roots, these fungi increase the nutrient and water uptake capacity of the plant and protect it against pathogens. We determine what percentage of your roots are colonized, and also look for signs of disease and other damage.