There is a whole world under the soil – and no one knows this cast of characters better than Elaine Ingham! Elaine is one of the world’s leading soil microbiologists, with 30 years of experience researching and teaching and an easy and enthusiastic style that brings the soil food web to life. Elaine literally wrote the book on compost teas: The Compost Tea Brewing Manual.

Healthy soil has all the interconnected elements of a “web” – which can retain nutrients, cycle nutrients into the right forms at the right rates for the plant desired, build soil structure, suppress disease-causing organisms, protect plant surfaces, produce plant-growth-promoting hormones and chemicals, and decompose toxic compounds. In this course, you’ll look at the elements of a healthy soil food web, learn how to analyze and improve your own soil, and learn how to make composts and extracts to strengthen the soil food web.

The course will cover the soil food web, soil food web analysis, composts and compost extracts, and the use of microscopes.

Participants can sign up for the entire course or specific modules as outlined below:

- Day 1 & 2 (Feb 6 & 7): Soil Food Web Fundamentals ~ $270

- Day 3 (Feb 8): Compost Technology ~ $140

- Day 4 (Feb 9): Compost Tea Technology ~ $140

- Day 5: Light Microscope Training ~ $160

* Tuition includes organic lunch, snacks, & teas.

Schedule & Module Description

The course daily schedule is from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm.

Day 1 & 2: Soil Food Web Fundamentals – 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 way 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. There is a big difference between good compost and reduced waste. One of the biggest mistakes people make when building a compost pile is not selecting the different Carbon:Nitrogen ratios for the plants they’re growing. Learn how to select the proper ratios that will give your plants the exact biology they need to thrive.

Day 4: Compost Tea Technology – We cover the processes 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. This allows you to eliminate inorganic fertilizers and herbicides which decrease diversity and degrade soil health.

Day 5: Light Microscope Training – Dr. Elaine Ignham leads this very special day of 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 that drive the health and well being of our plants. Students are encouraged to bring their own microscope. Microscopes will also be available for a group discount at the workshop.

Who Should Attend?

Class is suitable for beginners to advanced practitioners. This intensive course is for farmers, landscapers, ranchers, creators and distributors of agricultural products, waste management professionals, soil and garden enthusiasts of all types, and anyone who touches the earth. Simply put, this information needs to be central to any sustainable agriculture or land management. Participants receive a certification of completion. This course will give you the tools you need to make healthy, site-specific compost for beautiful results every time!

For More Information & To Register Click Here

e-mail: education@livingmandala.com

Phone: (707) 634-1461