Rodale Institute - Kutztown, PA
October 7-9, 9-5pm
Dr. Elaine Ingham is a world-renowned soil biologist who joined the Rodale Institute in January 2011 as its Chief Scientist. Elaine has served in academia for more than three decades helping thousands of individuals and companies improve their agricultural practices through a deep understanding of what soil health really means.
Elaine's engaging personality and teaching style make it easy to comprehend how important life in the soil is to every enterprise, from the backyard garden or a small organic farm, to the multimillion dollar golf course. Her teachings provide the "missing link" to successful organic practice. Once you understand the soil biology all the other pieces: compost, cover crops, weed management, fertilizing, no till; are no longer entirely separate issues that often conflict with one another. The knowledge she provides allows for a holistic and much simpler, and often less expensive, approach.
The class is structured in three modules that will build the foundational knowledge for future explorations of individual growing systems: vegetables, grains, orchards, landscape turf, etc.
Day One
Friday, October 7th, 2011
Introduction: A couple examples of what is possible if soil life is improved
The difference between soil and dirt
What life is present in the soil: A pictorial safari through good soil.
The process of going sustainable:
- Why do we think that inorganic salt fertilizers and pesticides are required to grow plants?
- How do you get off the toxic chemical band-wagon?
- Why controlling life in the soil will remove weeds
Day Two
Saturday, October 8th, 2011
What do the "good guys" do in soil to promote plant growth?
- Disease suppression
- Nutrient retention
- Nutrient cycling
- Water-holding and soil structure
- Decomposition of toxins
Deciphering soil chemistry
Day Three
Sunday, October 9th, 2011
- Balances of organisms: what do different plants require?
- Disturbance: what does it do to bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, microarthropods and earthworms.
- Managing your microherds for maximum production
This class is appropriate for beginning practitioners. We recommend you register for the whole course for a complete learning experience. Organic lunch, snacks and refreshments are included in the course tuition.
Overnight accommodations are available for special rates ($110/night) at two hotels situated in close proximity to Rodale Institute. Transportation to and from the hotel is included in tuition cost. Additional details will be provided after you register.
Course tuition is $575 for the three day course or $225 individual days.
Space is limited to 20 participants.
Register online:
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/2011FT_life-in-the-soil
For questions or to register by phone, call 610-683-6009 or email: info@rodaleinstitute.org
Carbon Economy Series 2011 - Santa Fe, NM
September 16, 7-9pm
Santa Fe Community College, Lecture Hall, room 216, in the West Wing, 6401 Richards Ave., Lecture Hall in West Wing
Kirk Gadzia, Local Holistic Management Educator, discusses improving land, environment and relationships. Healthy Land, Healthy Families,
Hefty Profits will focus on the triple bottom line of a productive, healthy and sustainable system for growing food while improving soil
Whether you are a farmer or just an end-user of a farmer’s labor, we all depend on our lands to provide us with much
more than just food. The complex interactions that underpin our very existence are the same connections we cannot
survive without. So it's our responsibility to reconnect with these systems, to cultivate a deeper awareness of what
makes things tick and to stimulate our communities to nurture and support the most important members of our
community - our food producers.
This lecture and workshop series will introduce a comprehensive system of land management that provides farmers,
land managers, land consultants, landcare volunteers and professionals, permaculture practitioners and others with a
proven set of practical methods for boasting fertility, increasing land carrying capacity, farm productivity and profits
without sacrificing land health. Holisitic Management techniques are genuinely regenerative.
Attending this workshop will demystify your relationship with land, food and farming and offer a practical pathway for you
to improve your relationship with your community.
Kirk Gadzia, is a Certified Educator with the Holistic Management International Center. He has over 20 years experience
teaching the concepts of Holistic Management® worldwide. Kirk is co-author of the important National Academy of
Sciences book: Rangeland Health. He holds a BS degree in Wildlife Biology and an MS in Range Science. Kirk works
directly with producers to achieve profitability in their operations. He also provides customized training and consulting to
a wide variety of conservation organizations. Years of assisting people on the land helps Kirk approach the course in an
interactive, hands-on style. His courses are known for a relaxed atmosphere, open dialogue and practical real-life
examples.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00 or online at
http://www.carboneconomyseries.com
Carbon Economy Series 2011 - Santa Fe, NM
September 17, 9:30-4:30pm
Santa Fe Community College, Trades and Advanced Technologies Center, 6401 Richards Ave.
Kirk Gadzia will present his "Holistic Land Management" workshop during which he will explain how we can actively and proactively reverse climate change while reversing desertification, making optimal use of water resources, and sequestering carbon in the soil.
Whether you are a farmer or just an end-user of a farmer’s labor, we all depend on our lands to provide us with much
more than just food. The complex interactions that underpin our very existence are the same connections we cannot
survive without. So it's our responsibility to reconnect with these systems, to cultivate a deeper awareness of what
makes things tick and to stimulate our communities to nurture and support the most important members of our
community - our food producers.
This lecture and workshop series will introduce a comprehensive system of land management that provides farmers,
land managers, land consultants, landcare volunteers and professionals, permaculture practitioners and others with a
proven set of practical methods for boasting fertility, increasing land carrying capacity, farm productivity and profits
without sacrificing land health. Holisitic Management techniques are genuinely regenerative.
Attending this workshop will demystify your relationship with land, food and farming and offer a practical pathway for you
to improve your relationship with your community.
Kirk Gadzia, is a Certified Educator with the Holistic Management International Center. He has over 20 years experience
teaching the concepts of Holistic Management® worldwide. Kirk is co-author of the important National Academy of
Sciences book: Rangeland Health. He holds a BS degree in Wildlife Biology and an MS in Range Science. Kirk works
directly with producers to achieve profitability in their operations. He also provides customized training and consulting to
a wide variety of conservation organizations. Years of assisting people on the land helps Kirk approach the course in an
interactive, hands-on style. His courses are known for a relaxed atmosphere, open dialogue and practical real-life
examples.
$175 for this event or $300 for all three events. Pleast visit
http://www.carboneconomyseries.com
Carbon Economy Series 2011 - Santa Fe, NM
September 18, 9:30-4:30pm
Santa Fe Community College, Trades and Advanced Technologies Center, 6401 Richards Ave.
Kirk Gadzia will return to present “Holistic Range Land Management” focusing on the key role that animals play in renewing the land, as well as the nature and importance of four basic ecosystem processes: the water cycle, the mineral cycle, energy flow, and community dynamics (the relationship between organisms in an ecosystem).
Whether you are a farmer or just an end-user of a farmer’s labor, we all depend on our lands to provide us with much
more than just food. The complex interactions that underpin our very existence are the same connections we cannot
survive without. So it's our responsibility to reconnect with these systems, to cultivate a deeper awareness of what
makes things tick and to stimulate our communities to nurture and support the most important members of our
community - our food producers.
This lecture and workshop series will introduce a comprehensive system of land management that provides farmers,
land managers, land consultants, landcare volunteers and professionals, permaculture practitioners and others with a
proven set of practical methods for boasting fertility, increasing land carrying capacity, farm productivity and profits
without sacrificing land health. Holisitic Management techniques are genuinely regenerative.
Attending this workshop will demystify your relationship with land, food and farming and offer a practical pathway for you
to improve your relationship with your community.
Kirk Gadzia, is a Certified Educator with the Holistic Management International Center. He has over 20 years experience
teaching the concepts of Holistic Management® worldwide. Kirk is co-author of the important National Academy of
Sciences book: Rangeland Health. He holds a BS degree in Wildlife Biology and an MS in Range Science. Kirk works
directly with producers to achieve profitability in their operations. He also provides customized training and consulting to
a wide variety of conservation organizations. Years of assisting people on the land helps Kirk approach the course in an
interactive, hands-on style. His courses are known for a relaxed atmosphere, open dialogue and practical real-life
examples.
$175 for this event or $300 for all three events. Pleast visit
http://www.carboneconomyseries.com
Sustainable Studies Institute - Corvallis, OR
August 1-5
Introduction to the soil foodweb, Aug 1-2
The Introduction class covers all the basic and advanced information required for understanding and implementing a successful biological approach to growing.
Topics covered include soil and plant biology, history of modern agriculture, current growing practices, and methods for promoting healthy biology. The Introduction class will be taught by Matt Slaughter, Director of Soil Foodweb Oregon. Subsequent classes assumes knowledge covered in the introductory portion.
Cost - $440
Compost technology and methods, Aug 3
The Compost class instructs specific methods of producing different varieties of organic compost. Attendees will learn about the various aspects of quality compost and how to consistently produce biologically active and effective compost. This class is instructed by Matt Slaughter. Compost class assumes knowledge covered in the Introduction class.
Cost - $220
Compost tea technology and application, Aug 4
This class covers the production and implementation of compost tea and compost tea technologies into modern farming practices. Attendees will learn what makes good compost tea and how to integrate into their operation. This class is instructed by Matt Slaughter, director of Soil Foodweb Oregon. Compost class assumes knowledge covered in the Introduction class.
Cost - $220
Light Microscope Methods, Aug 5
Participants will learn how to operate and utilize a light microscope to identify microbiology and analyze the quality of soil, compost and other biological materials. This class is instructed by Matt Slaughter. Participants will need to bring their own microscopes with specifications outlined in the registration form.
Cost - $220
If you register for the full week of workshops, you save $100!
Cost - Full Week - $1000
Questions or concerns? Call David Kuester at Sustainable Studies Institute at 541-257-2614 or email him at
info@sustainablestudies.org.
Registration Form (PDF)
Mycorrhizal fungi workshop presented by Earthfort
Corvallis, OR
February 21
This one day workshop covers basic information and understanding of mycorrhizal fungi. This is a great class for beginner plant biologists/growers or experts looking to increase their knowledge. Understanding mycorrhizal colonization and identification is an important tool for any sustainable land management. This class will be taught by Dr. Efrén Cázares, PhD and will be held at the Corvallis Depot. Participants are encouraged to submit a root sample for testing and analysis prior to the class for demonstration.
Cost - $200 (Includes one Mycorrhizal root sample test & results)
Click here for the registration form.
For more information call 541-257-2612 or email info@earthfort.com
Intro to Soil Foodweb
This class will be an overview on the Soil Foodweb.
What is it? Why is it beneficial? How can the Soil Foodweb be implemented? More info soon!
Sustainable Nutrients Program
This class will be an overview on organic
nutrients and how to apply them in a soil drench and foliar application. In
addition to compost and compost tea will discuss Fish Hydrolysate and Humic
acid and how they are applied. More info coming soon!
Compost Quality and Production
This class will be an overview on what
compost is, making and applying compost, the benefits of a quality compost
and why some composts are better than others. More info coming soon!
Compost Tea Quality and Production
This will overview what compost tea is,
how to make it, why it's beneficial. We will review compost tea brewers and
recipes for making compost tea. More info coming soon!
Microscope Field Use
The is an overview on the light microscope and how to
conduct a qualitative assessment on soil, compost and compost tea. More info coming soon!
Marketing of Sustainability
This class will be an overview on promoting
sustainable businesses using networking, social media, and product service
bundling. More info coming soon!
Harrington's Organic Land Care & Soil Foodweb Inc.
Bloomfield, CT
February 28th - March 4th, 2011
This popular course offers a unique opportunity to glean wisdom from foremost experts in the field of soil science Elaine Ingham and Todd Harrington. Course material will cover composting, compost tea/extract production, and organic plant health care. This 5-day workshop gives participants a deep introduction to the soil foodweb, hands-on experience with state of the art technology and methods, and includes a light microscope class. Whether you are a grower or organic land care professional you will boost your knowledge and gain critical insights in time to apply them this season. NOFA credits will be issued to AOLCPs.
For more information please visit http://www.harringtonsorganic.com/events/sfw_workshop.html or call Harrington's Organic Land Care at 860-243-8733.
Discovering the Soil Foodweb & Compost Technologies
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 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. 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 different Carbon:Nitrogen ratios 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 in order 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 numbers and diversity. At the same time, eliminate inorganic fertilizers and herbicides, which decrease diversity and degrade one of earths most precious resources, our soils.
Day 5: Light Microscope TrainingDr. Elaine Ingham leads this very special one day training on effective light microscope techniques and identification. Learn from the master herself about the constitution of compost or 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.
Price for 5 Day Intensive is $800.
To Register and for more information visit: www.Sweet-Soil.com
Or Call: (415) 699-0916
Permaculture Design Course
Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden
April - May 2011
Dr. Elaine Ingham, Brad Lancaster, Warren Brush, and More! This one-of-a-kind
Permaculture Design Course at the LA Arboretum that takes urban permaculture to a new
level. Included is a full 2-day Soil Foodweb Intensive with Elaine. Will it ever get
this good again? Sign up now and part of the proceeds go towards the Arboretum!
For more information visit http://www.SayPermaculture.com
Price: $1200
