Best Final Essays
Field trip to The Kitchen Garden local organic farm with Evan and Megan. September 27th 2016.
![Evan: "The goal is to grow crops efficiently while limiting resource depletion - to use soil biology to facilitate nutrient cycling"; "Going bigger in scale is not necessarily economically beneficial".](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5615.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=jCCYnqoM)
![Managing the soil to maximize its health is the most fundamental key to effective farm management](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5620.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=GpRJEPuS)
![Protecting crops against early Fall frost](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5621.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=IehPbzhC)
![Evan: "Substantial groundwater access has been very useful"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5624.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=nOwRukuJ)
![Harris Ivens looks on as Evan shows them inside the greenhouse that is critical for early spring seedling production before planting out](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5625.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=qkf1ov-U)
![Compost management - diversity of substrates is the key, and covering with black cloth tends to keep the temperatures warm as Fall approaches](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5631.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=oF0ptA8p)
![Mature compost-amended soil](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5632.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=KkWJ_gPO)
![Evan: "I focus my energy on the best areas of farmland within the property"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5633.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=mLTJWw1L)
![Evan: "I focus my energy on the best areas of farmland within the property"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5638.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=YCr7o5wH)
![Evan: "I focus my energy on the best areas of farmland within the property"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5639.jpg?h=5ae4b68d&itok=rSOkJige)
![Charlie: "The dirt's the number one thing around here!"; I'd like to be growing real food, not corn that is manufactured into sugary supplements for processed foods".](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5723.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=CpR66atn)
![Charlie explaining the hydroponic tomato production process and challenges](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5732.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=MwsMacvt)
![Wood pellet production facility on Charlie's farm](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5737.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=P6bNf-zC)
![Farm machinery like this is very effective, but very expensive - "Go big or go home"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5739.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=-_hLZnnV)
![Charlie: "Monsanto brought us farmers out of the dark ages".](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5741.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=IuqQoE10)
![Hydroponically grown tomato plants](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5729.jpg?h=5ae4b68d&itok=qArHodgM)
Field trip to Ravensfield farm with Titia Posthuma. October 23rd 2016.
Titia: "As farmers and consumers, we can change where we're going - Our legacy is not fixed".
![Titia: "The climax species in agroecosystems is Homo sapiens"](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5767.jpg?h=5ae4b68d&itok=SDmBIa1y)
![Harris Ivens outlining the potential benefits of certain granular rock additions to enhance soil health](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5771.jpg?h=ee6874dd&itok=rnxdfQfJ)
![Look at those root-bacteria symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodules!](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5784.jpg?h=5ae4b68d&itok=2k0JPUWL)
![Evidence of fungal growth in Titia's organic-rich farm soil](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5786.jpg?h=5ae4b68d&itok=FSJXf6Ja)
![Lunchtime in the sun](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5768.jpg?h=05544aa6&itok=aIoo-UKI)
![Matt Smith and others in the new pathway workgroup moving some wood to strengthen the path's foundation](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5769.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=6k0atVRi)
![Titia's composting pile](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5772.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=65sZpIJ4)
![Irrigation from the nearby river helps to maintain production throughout the summer and early Fall](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5778.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=8otXzv7d)
![Titia: "Here on soil derived from glacial sand, clay is like gold".](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5783.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=5YXOAB0W)
![Titia gives life advice to students](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5780.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=X8IWNr8E)
![Titia's pigs are an important component of farm income but also enhance soil fertility as a result of soil surface mixing and excretions](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/Pigs.jpg?h=85ca5ab7&itok=xTrU-bkX)
Sample and data collection at Mark Millar's farm in Sydenham on Oct 22 2016.
![Field and lab analysis project outline conceptual diagram for the following research question: Does agricultural disturbance significantly affect late season soil phosphorus availability?](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/PcycleAgDisturbance-Oct7auto.jpeg?h=4df24e7f&itok=oHNA2rDk)
![Rhett Andruko measuring out some plots](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5746.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=KblG4UuI)
![Amanda, Samantha, Hudabia and Victoria really enjoying taking some soil samples](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5749.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=WdftnwRL)
![The soil sampling hammer in action](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/DSCF1237.jpg?h=29234840&itok=DrFp8vp3)
![Madison and Claire doing some serious sorting - they looking for earthworms](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5757.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=TDjRVsM0)
![Soil sampling from a hedgerow area beside the farm field](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5758.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=HHEtspJk)
![Autumn colours at Queen's Elbow Lake station](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5760.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=lj3js0Ek)
![Derek, Gabrielle and Faustine were in charge of the onsite soil nutrient analyses](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/DSCF1243.jpg?h=309e12e8&itok=L_FOJrl8)
![Harris and Paul trying to make a little music at Elbow Lake station](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/Harris_Paul_Music.jpg?h=4d25e2df&itok=cY3Odin_)
![Queen's Elbow lake station](/terrestrial-ecosystem-ecology/sites/teelwww/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/public/uploaded_images/Teaching/Biol416/Field%20Trips%20and%20Labs%202016/RIMG5764.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=rOHCeTkI)