Discovering the Soil Foodweb with Dr. Elaine Ingham

Elaine’s Bio:

Dr. Elaine Ingham is recognized around the world as a leader in soil microbiology and research of the Soil Foodweb.  She is Chief Scientist at The Rodale Institute. She is an energetic, easy-to-understand speaker who explains what life in the soil is all about. With decades of experience as professor, researcher, and soil benefactor consulting in the field, she’s helped thousands of homeowners, growers, and influential companies understand healthy soil via healthy organisms. Elaine transmits sophisticated information in a down-to-earth way. Her mission is to show that the key to making any plant thrive, from the turf on golf courses to vegetables in the garden is to team up with suitable soil microbes. Elaine has astounding results to show for it.

Schedule:

9AM-5PM Monday-Friday

Day 1 Intro. to the Soil Foodweb
Day 3: Compost Technology
Day 4: Compost Tea Technology
Day 5: Light Microscope Training*

Day 1 & 2:  Intro. to the Soil Foodweb – Dr. Elaine Ingham uncovers the basic principles of the Soil Foodweb, plant relationships, and bacterial to fungi ratios in this in-depth, two day primer.  Not only will you gain a fundamental understanding of the ways in which soil biology drives plant nutrition, you will learn how modern agriculture selects for disease and pests.  A must for anyone wanting a complete understanding of soil health and healthy plants.

Day 3:  Compost Technology - Not all compost is created equal.   Dr. Elaine Ingham breaks down the difference between good compost and reduced waste.  One of the biggest mistakes people make when building a compost pile is not selecting the specific carbon:nitrogen ratio for the plants they’re growing.  There is a major difference between the soil in a desert and the soil in an old growth forest.  Learn how to select the proper ratios that will give your plants the exact biology they need to thrive.

Day 4:  Compost Tea Technology – Dr. Elaine Ingham guides us through the extract process that will maximize biological diversity to get the most bang for your buck.  Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) and Liquid  Compost Extract (LCE) are the most efficient methods for bringing back micobe diversity, allowing you to eliminate inorganic fertilizers and herbicides that decrease diversity and degrade soil.

Day 5:  Light Microscope Training – Dr. Elaine Ignham leads this very special one-day training on effective light microscope techniques and identification.  Learn from the master herself about what constituents good compost and compost tea on a microscopic level.  This part of the class is essential for anyone who wishes to gain “eyes on” knowledge of the soil universe and what really goes on under our feet.  Get the necessary training to identify the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, which drive the health and well being of our plants. *