Field Notes
A living log of applied field work and system response.
Field Notes document what The Soil Guys are seeing and doing in real time — across orchards, pastures, livestock systems, compost, and soil biology. They reflect ongoing work at Sharp Iron Farmstead (our primary R&D and validation site) as well as observations from client systems as work unfolds.
Each entry captures actions taken, the reasoning behind them, and observed outcomes or responses to date. Notes remain contextual and time-bound; understanding evolves as systems respond.
They are not polished case studies or instructions. They are a working log of applied observation.
Accuracy matters more than frequency.
What Field Notes Are
- A synthesized weekly snapshot
- Grounded in real systems and seasonality
- Honest about uncertainty and limits
- Anchored in observation before conclusion
What Field Notes Are Not
- Not tutorials or how‑to guides
- Not proof of outcomes or performance
- Not product demonstrations
- Not prescriptive recommendations
This boundary is intentional and non-negotiable.
Field Notes Entry Template (Required)
Every Field Notes entry follows the same narrative scaffold, whether observations originate from Sharp Iron Farmstead or client systems.
Context
- Date range
- System type (orchard, pasture, livestock, compost, soil biology, etc.)
- Site type (Sharp Iron Farmstead or client system)
- Seasonal or environmental backdrop
What We Did
- Actions taken during the period
- Adjustments, trials, or observations initiated
- Descriptive only (no interpretation yet)
Why We Did It
- Reasoning at the time
- Constraints, risks, and tradeoffs considered
- What information informed the decision
Observations & Outcomes to Date
- What changed
- What did not change
- Early system responses or signals
- Unexpected or ambiguous outcomes
What We’re Watching Next
- Open questions
- Signals to monitor
- What conclusions are intentionally not being drawn yet
Media Integration (Optional, Supported)
Audio (Field Notes Podcast)
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Weekly Jeff + Adam synthesis conversation
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Embedded within the Field Notes entry
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The website entry remains the source of truth
Video
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Short, contextual clips embedded inline
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Used to show conditions, not demonstrate techniques
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No standalone instructional videos
Categories & Tagging
Categories may be used for filtering and internal organization: – Orchards & Perennials – Pasture & Grazing Systems – Sheep & Livestock – Compost & Amendments – Microscopy & Soil Biology – Client Systems (Anonymized)
Client-related Field Notes must: – Be anonymized unless explicit permission is granted – Focus on system behavior and response, not client identity – Avoid revealing sensitive operational or financial details
Categories must not become public sub-sections with expectations of coverage