Paul Smith performs research, analysis, and communication in the fields of Sustainable Agriculture, Environment, and Public Policy. Thoughtful, nuanced analysis of issues and data. Recommendations and conclusions that reflect perspectives beyond the conventional. Examples provided here are from current and previous work and employment.
WHAT’S NEW
Feb 2026 - Comparing Soil Health Assessment Frameworks to Strengthen Ontario’s Soil Health Assessment and Plan - Greenbelt Foundation
The Greenbelt Foundation, in partnership with the Soil Health Institute, has released a recommendations report for soil health assessment frameworks. Using
greenbelt.ca
Nov 2025 - Regional Soil Health Report - Greenbelt Foundation
Field sampling at 264 locations across the Greater Golden Horseshoe shows that soil-health practices deliver consistent benefits. Compared with baseline management, sites using reduced tillage, cover crops, and living roots achieved better aggregate stability, higher organic matter, and greater available water. Reference sites with very little disturbance performed best, setting an aspirational benchmark. These results link everyday practices to outcomes that matter, including fewer problems in wet springs, better drought tolerance, and more reliable yields. The report translates indicators into clear guidance and highlights actions farmers can take now to strengthen soil function and manage risk.
greenbelt.ca
Preprint - Benchmarking soil health in glaciated soils under grain and oilseed production
Regional sampling of similar soils under different management types provides a scalable approach to evaluate soil health progress and potential on working farms. Our objectives were to (1) determine the maximum soil health potential for soils predominantly under row crop production, (2) quantify the effects of row crop management practices, and (3) assess progress toward soil health potential under improved management. In 2023 and 2024, we collected 262 soil samples from the Greater Golden Horseshoe region in Ontario, Canada. By comparing management with respect to soil type, our soil health benchmarking approach quantifies the progress achieved by farmers and the potential for improvement. This work highlights the power of benchmarking soil health measures relative to reference soils to enable soil health interpretations.
Recent curated podcast episodes of the Food Farm Talk radio show aired on CFRU 93.3 FM are available at:
Developing a National Soil Health Strategy
The National Soil Health Strategy (NSHS) is a pivotal initiative aimed at advancing soil health, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring environmental resilience for Canada…
To Batoche and Back: Article in book: mihko kiskisiwin at the FriesenPress
Thomas King said, “The truth about stories is . . . stories are all that we are.” Colonization has tried to erase and eradicate Indigenous narratives for centuries. Even mainstream literature features the same kinds of stories told by the same voices.…
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