With National Science Week starting this Saturday, we thought we would turn the microscope onto Yvonne Hennell, who is a qualified Soil Food Web Biology Laboratory Technician for Gympie & District Landcare.
So, what does that mean?
She uses a microscope to examine soil to determine its composition, so that commercial businesses can work out what potential deficiencies they need to address and any imbalances they need to correct to achieve better crop yields and healthier plant stock.
For more than 20 years Yvonne worked as an insurance broker, but a decade ago she decided to make a career change, and that involved growing bugs and beetles to control invasive weeds such Cat’s Claw Creeper and the Madeira Vine for Landcare.
She also set up a commercial composting worm farm where proceeds from selling worm products helped fund the breeding of insects and this is where an interest grew in soil microbes within the worm castings.
In 2022 Yvonne was given the opportunity to take Dr Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web Course, funded by the Burnett Mary Regional Group, and by the end of 2023, Yvonne became a qualified Soil Food Web Biology Laboratory Technician.
It’s quite involved, and for a one-hour assessment, that anyone who is looking for an organic alternative can have done and which costs $120, Yvonne can assess soil, potting mix, compost, compost extract, compost teas, mulch, and worm castings.
And while she doesn’t provide advice, she does provide a report which can be taken to a consultant.
“If you find that your soil health is not where you want it, we are working with a consultant who can provide recommendations for an additional fee,” Yvonne said.
