On November 7th, fieldwork continued at one of our FARM-NC case study farms with the collection of soil and water samples. This stage of the project focuses on grounding earlier systems mapping insights in direct, biophysical measurements.
Following participatory systems mapping with farmers, targeted soil and water sampling provides a way to validate and contextualise how farm management, landscape features, and natural processes interact on the ground.
Samples were collected across representative areas of the farm to capture variation in soil condition and water quality. This included consideration of land use, proximity to watercourses, and management intensity.
Field observations were recorded alongside sampling to document local conditions, recent weather, and visible indicators of soil structure and hydrological connectivity.
Soil and water properties play a central role in multiple natural capital outcomes, including nutrient cycling, carbon storage, water regulation, and ecosystem resilience. These measurements will feed into the FARM-NC natural capital accounts and support interpretation of spatial and systems-based analyses.
By combining participatory insights, spatial mapping, and field-based measurements, the project builds a multi-layered understanding of whole-farm systems. Soil and water data provide an essential empirical anchor within this integrated framework.
Laboratory analysis of the collected samples will inform subsequent modelling and interpretation. These results will be integrated with systems maps and spatial datasets to support evidence-based recommendations for farm management and policy.