Autumn Soil Sampling Learning Circle at Rusted Gate Farm in Oregon
American Farmland Trust and regional partners hosted our second Learning Circle for women farmers and ranchers on Nov. 23, 2025, at the Rusted Gate Farm in Central Point, Oregon. Women for the Land Learning Circles support women in agriculture to gather in community, share farm experiences, and learn together.
Learning Circles in Oregon’s Jackson and Josephine counties are possible through a collaboration between our Women for the Land Initiative and the Pacific Northwest Regional Program and are funded through a partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). This partnership focuses on empowering women as conservation leaders by increasing access to science-backed practices, resources, and services to implement practices on their land.
Learning Together: Exploring Soil Health
Rusted Gate Farm is a nonprofit working farm that focuses on research and education to support ranchers in increasing their conservation practices. We heard from both the Oregon Farm Manager, Dave Picanso, and the Gardens Manager, Megan Capp, about their soil story and practices. Shannon Cappellazzi, Oregon State University Soil Health Specialist, provided a fascinating introduction to soil science and then guided us out to the pasture for a demonstration. She modeled sampling techniques with a trusty sharpshooter (an elongated digging spade) and hori hori (a Japanese garden knife), and cut mini soil profiles to share with participants. Shannon encouraged us to stop and smell the soil, which naturally smells “good” when healthy organisms are present. We looked for root nodules, invertebrates, and other indicators of soil health.
After demonstrating how to sample, participants returned inside for a delicious catered meal by Jefferson Farm Kitchen. Folks enjoyed locally sourced Shepard’s pies, with beef from Rusted Gate Farm, and a vegan herbed curry version. After mingling and digesting, participants went back to the pasture to practice collecting soil samples themselves. As folks broke out into small groups, everyone had a chance to use a tensiometer to measure the tension, or force, in the soil to gauge moisture. Others started a percolation or soil drainage test to tell how long it took for water to drain through the compacted pathway vs. in the pasture.
One participant shared, “I really enjoyed listening to Shannon share her wealth of knowledge! She is an amazing asset to OSU's new program!” Another shared, “This was a great learning experience. It was gratifying to see that soil health and soil testing are becoming an important component of farm management.”
By offering this free Learning Circle experience for local farmers and land stewards, AFT brought neighbors together and inspired participants to take methodical soil samples to test and further understand their site needs. The work continues in Jackson and Josephine Counties, so keep an eye out for the next series of Learning Circles brought to you by American Farmland Trust and Natural Resources Conservation Services in 2026!
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