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Content Audit and Knowledge Normalization Plan

Purpose

This page defines how NoMad's Farm separates universal knowledge from active projects, field observations and personal reflection.

The goal is to prevent the site from becoming tied to one greenhouse, one balcony or one field site.

The site should function as:

Practical Handbook
+
Project Documentation System
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Field Observation Archive
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Personal Journal

Core Rule

Knowledge Base = universal principles and practical handbook
Projects = current applications and active work streams
Journal = dated observations and records
Zen = personal reflection and photo essays

This means pages such as Soil, Water, Site Assessment, Crop Matrix and Plant Profiles should not be written only around one active location.

They should explain what to observe, why it matters and how to apply it across different projects.

Content Types

Type Purpose Examples
Knowledge Universal practices, concepts and methods Soil health, water management, plant profiles
Project Active work stream generating data and experience Sprout Lab, Greenhouse 2026, Gaitanevo 2026
Journal Dated observations and records Field notes, crop results, failures
Reference Source hierarchy and external materials USDA, NRCS, JIRCAS, extension publications
Zen Personal reflection and visual story Notes, images, lessons, philosophy

Knowledge Base Direction

The Knowledge Base should become a practical field manual.

Primary source families:

  • USDA;
  • NRCS;
  • JIRCAS;
  • university extension publications;
  • peer-reviewed research;
  • NoMad's Farm observations.

NoMad's Farm observations should support and refine the handbook, not replace source hierarchy.

Page Classification

Current Page Target Role Notes
Source Hierarchy Reference Defines trusted source order
Soil Ecological Processes Knowledge Universal soil biology and function
Soil Improvement Strategy Knowledge Practical soil management handbook
Site Assessment Knowledge Universal field/site assessment checklist
Plant Profiles Knowledge Crop and species reference
Functional Groups Knowledge Ecological and production roles
Crop Matrix Knowledge / Decision Support Universal comparison tool
Water Systems Knowledge General water planning and management
Infrastructure Knowledge Practical infrastructure concepts
Monitoring & Automation Knowledge General measurement and control systems
Sprout Lab Project Active indoor production system
Microclimate Lab Project Active/planned monitoring system
Balcony Pot House Project Active balcony container system
Greenhouse 2026 Project Active protected cultivation project
Gaitanevo 2026 Project Active field program
No-Maintenance Squash Trial Project / Trial Seasonal trial across scattered pits
Field Journal Journal Dated observations
Zen Zen Personal reflections

Universal Knowledge Page Template

Use this structure for handbook pages:

Overview
Core Concepts
What to Observe
Field Indicators
Common Problems
Management Practices
Practical Checklist
Source Notes
NoMad's Farm Notes

The key section is What to Observe.

The site should teach what to look for in soil, plants, water, climate and infrastructure before prescribing action.

Project Page Template

Use this structure for active project pages:

Overview
Status
Location
Type
Objectives
Current State
Metrics
Methods
Observations
Related Knowledge
Related Journal Entries
Next Actions

Projects feed data into the Knowledge Base, Plant Profiles, Crop Matrix and Field Journal.

Source Hierarchy

Recommended hierarchy:

Tier 1: USDA / NRCS / JIRCAS
Tier 2: University extension publications
Tier 3: Peer-reviewed research
Tier 4: experienced grower reports and case studies
Tier 5: NoMad's Farm observations

The local project data is valuable because it is specific to our conditions.

It should still be marked clearly as observation, not universal fact.

Site Assessment Direction

Site Assessment should become universal.

It should answer:

  • what to observe before working a site;
  • how to describe access, slope, water and exposure;
  • how to record soil condition;
  • how to identify risks;
  • how to compare locations;
  • how to connect a location to active projects.

It should not be written only for one greenhouse or one field.

Soil Direction

Soil pages should become a practical soil health guide.

Core topics:

  • soil structure;
  • organic matter;
  • compaction;
  • infiltration;
  • biological activity;
  • cover crops;
  • mulch;
  • compost;
  • root systems;
  • field diagnostics.

Plant Profiles Direction

Plant profiles should remain universal.

Each profile should eventually include:

Scientific classification
Ecological role
Climate range
Soil requirements
Water requirements
Human use
Seed production
Management
Companion use
Risks
References
NoMad's Farm Notes

The final section is where project-specific observations belong.

Crop Matrix Direction

The Crop Matrix remains a universal decision tool.

Project observations can refine scores over time, but the matrix should not become specific to only Gaitanevo, Baylovo, the balcony or the indoor lab.

Next Actions

  1. Normalize Site Assessment into a universal checklist.
  2. Normalize Soil pages into a field handbook.
  3. Add source notes using USDA / NRCS / JIRCAS structure.
  4. Add project metadata blocks to project pages.
  5. Add NoMad's Farm Notes sections to Plant Profiles.
  6. Keep URLs stable until migration is clearly needed.

Migration Principle

Do not delete categories, crops, matrix data or existing pages during normalization.

Add structure first.

Move content only when the target structure is clear.

This avoids turning the documentation into compost before it has produced any harvest.