Sounds interesting, although a bit pricy. Probably aimed more at amateur
organic gardeners than amateur scientist, but we can go heckle her with
sciencey questions. :-)
Patrik
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Living Mandala <livingmandala(a)livingmandala.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 4:15 PM
Subject: Soil & Saving the World
To: "east-bay-diybio(a)googlegroups.com" <east-bay-diybio(a)googlegroups.com>
*Soil Food Web IntensiveAn Intensive Course With Dr. Elaine InghamMarch 17
- 21, 2014*
GreenFriends Farm / MA Center, Castro Valley, CA
*For More Information Click
Here*<http://www.livingmandala.com/Living_Mandala/Soil_Food_Web_Intensiv…
*Course Description*
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.
*Format & Modules*
- Day 1 & 2 (March 17-18): Soil Food Web Fundamentals ~ $275
- Day 3 (March 19): Compost Technology ~ $145
- Day 4 (March 20): Compost Tea Technology ~ $145
- Day 5 (March 21): Light Microscope Training ~ $166
* Participants can sign up for the entire course or specific modules as
outlined below:
*Schedule & Module Description*
The course daily schedule is from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm.
*Day 1 & 2: Soil Food Web Fundamentals (March 17-18)** - *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 (March 19)* - 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 (March 20)* - 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 (March 21) *- 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 Click Here
<http://www.livingmandala.com/Living_Mandala/Soil_Food_Web_Intensive_March_2014.html>*
http://www.livingmandala.com/Living_Mandala/Soil_Food_Web_Intensive_March_2…
*e-mail: education(a)livingmandala.com <education(a)livingmandala.com>Phone;Phone:
(707) 634-1461 <%28707%29%20634-1461>*
*Living Mandala*
Organizing Education, Events & Initiatives for Personal & Planetary
Transformation
*www.LivingMandala.com <http://www.livingmandala.com/>*
*Find Living Mandala on Facebook!
<http://www.facebook.com/LivingMandala.org>*
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