– Dr. Elaine Ingham
The Soil Food Web Essentials Course
Soak up the essential science of ecology and biology so you can steward resilient soil ecosystems. This accessible and affordable course invites you into the transformative world of practical microbiology. Explore with Dr. Elaine Ingham and over a dozen additional Soil Food Web School Science Educators to level up your collaboration with living systems.
Chapter 1
Welcome to the Course
Tune in to the Soil Food Web Approach. Hear the messages of the microorganisms presented by our diverse and passionate teaching team.
- Welcome
- Orientation
Chapter 2
Soil Ecology
Celebrate how living soil is the foundation of everything on Earth.
- Soil is Alive
- Soil Food Web
- Biodiversity
- Creatures
- Plant Superheroes
Chapter 3
Soil Biology
Explore how we can partner with plants and microorganisms so they can shape a more verdant world.
- Symphony of Soil
- Setting the Stage
- Restoring Soil Biology
- Plant and Soil Partnerships
Chapter 4
Soil Health
Embrace a soil health mindset across an array of scales and planetary systems.
- Noticing Your Soil
- Through the Microscope
- Health Cycle
- Healthy Practices
- Cool Climate Strategies
- Tropical Strategies
- Dryland Strategies
Chapter 5
Building Soil
Prepare local living amendments to transform your soil ecosystem.
- Biologically Complete Compost
- Biologically Complete Extracts & Teas
- Why Vermicompost
- Vermicomposting Systems
- Vermicomposting Site Visit
- Farm Composting
- Compost Management
- Bokashi Composting
- Home Composting
Chapter 6
Level Up With Soil Life
Boost plant-microbial partnerships for abundance and resilience on your farm, garden, or land.
- Holobiont Vision
- Partnering with Life
- Celebrating Completion
- Taking the Next Steps
About the Instructors
What You’ll Get with the
Soil Food Web Essentials
31 Videos
Optional Quizzes
Downloadable Course Material
- The Soil Food Web Essentials Course Manual and Resources
- Instructor Slide Decks
Money Back Guarantee
The Soil Food Web Approach is Accessible to Anyone
Sign up today and start watching the presentations.
It’s a self-paced course; you can learn at your own pace, when you have the time!
Download the slide decks and course manual.
Take your own notes to increase your understanding and retention of the material. Your notes, the course manual, and the slide decks will create a permanent resource that you can refer back to.
Take the optional quizzes to qualify for a certificate of completion.
The short quizzes will enhance your learning experience. You’ll have plenty of time to take the quizzes, and will be able to refer back to your notes and the lecture during the quiz.
Dr. David Johnson
“Illustration by Brenna Quinlan @brenna_quinlan”
Transform Your Understanding of Living Soil
FAQs
Soil Food Web Essentials
What's included in the Soil Food Web Essentials course?
Video presentations, short quizzes, downloadable slide decks, and a student manual that shares many resources, including links to research papers, books, websites, and movies.
Is this course completely online?
Yes, the course is delivered entirely online.
Is this course self paced?
Yes, the course is self-paced so that you can work on the course when you have the time! You will have access to the course for 12 months.
When can I start?
You can start as soon as you sign up.
What will I learn?
The Soil Food Web School teaching team, including Dr. Elaine Ingham, Dr. Carla Ribeiro Machado e Portugal, Dr. Adam Cobb, and Loida Vasquez, present essential scientific and practical concepts of living soil. The team travels with you through presentations about the ecology and biology of soil, how to observe and support soil health, how to create and feed living soil, and how to take your understanding of soil life with you during the next steps of your learning journey.
How many presentations are in the Soil Food Web Essentials course?
The course includes 31 pre-recorded video presentations with about 6 hours of content.
How much does it cost?
$199 USD.
How much time will students need to commit?
Students typically require about 10 hours to complete the SFWE at a reasonable pace.
Do I need any qualifications to start the course?
The course has no official prerequisites; however, English language comprehension and a reliable internet connection will help you get the most out of the course.
Does this course lead to other Soil Food Web School courses?
The Soil Food Web Essentials course sparks inspiration to learn more about living soils, ecology, and biology, as well as regenerative gardening and farming. Next steps at the Soil Food Web School could include:
- Foundation Courses
- Introduction to Permaculture (IPC, revised and expanded Spring 2024)
- Permaculture Design Course (the IPC is a prerequisite for this course)
- Introduction to Ecosystem Restoration
Whatever your next steps are, we encourage you to go deeper with this uniquely meaningful, practical, and relevant learning journey.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You’ll have 12 months to complete this course