Several people have begun working on understanding and evaluating the proposed student farm site within the Overlook Heights tract of the Arboretum. Mary Ann Bruns, Associate Professor of Soil Science, provided a soils map and trail suitability map for the site, from the Web Soil Survey located at http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm.

The two maps can be downloaded here:

OH Site Soils

OH Site Trail Suitability

Dr. Bruns’ Soil Ecology class also visited the site to evaluate earthworm numbers, organic matter color and subsurface compaction.

Students in Mary Ann Bruns' Soil Ecology class assess the organic matter of a soil core at the Overlook Heights tract of the Arboretum

Students in Mary Ann Bruns’ Soil Ecology class assess the organic matter of a soil core at the Overlook Heights tract of the Arboretum

Lara completed initial site area estimates:

OH Site Conditions August

Finally, a small group of students walked to and around the site together to make basic visual observations. Notes from that walk are available here: Notes Farm Walk 9.7.14.

This is a great start to understanding the site, and we look forward to learning more about it.