Soil Health & Microscopy Workshops

Our soil health and soil biology related workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn about soil microscopy and how to maintain healthy soil.

Our workshops cater to individuals, groups, and private clients and are available as one-on-one or group sessions, making them ideal for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of soil health, nutrient management and regenerative agriculture.

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WORKSHOP SUMMARY

Soil Microscopy

2 Day Workshop

The ‘It’s the Soil that Counts’ series comprises two workshops – the first will provide foundational skills and knowledge of soil food webs and using brightfield microscopes.

The second will build on the knowledge and skills from the first to monitor and assist in managing soil biological health. The topics to be covered are outlined below.

See Available Workshops Dates

Foundational Class - Day 1 (9am - 4pm)
- Use brightfield microscopes
- Soil food webs
- Identifying micro-organisms
- Viewing soil samples
- Exploring strategies to assist soil health
By the end of the Foundation Class you will have a greater understanding of soil food webs (why we need bacteria and fungi to gather nutrients, and protozoa and nematodes to make those nutrients available to plants). You will be able to identify soil food web microbes when you look at a sample of soil through a microscope and have some ideas for how you can look after and attract microbes to your soil.
Master Class - Day 2 (9am - 4pm)
- Use brightfield microscopes
- Review and extend knowledge of soil food webs
- Review and extend knowledge of micro-organisms
- Monitoring soil biological health
- Exploring remediation strategies

By the end of the Master Class you will have extended your knowledge of how the soil food web works, practised organism identification, learnt how to assess the qualitative health of soil and consider remediation strategies based on what has been learnt.

"Having Ellen look at your soil, compost and worm casting samples will confirm the health of your soil by the numbers and variety of microbes. Now to make some more compost tea to breed some more microbes."

Robyn, Waste is My Resource Workshop

"Thanks for giving me the opportunity to learn more about our soil microbes, it was an incredibly amazing two days."

Kara

I recently participated in the 2 day Soil Microbiology and Microscopy. It was an eye opening course for novices, students, gardeners, farmers or simply curious minded people… I'd highly recommended.

Paul

FAQs

How do I get to see what's in my soil?

A few options – purchase a microscope to see for yourself; request a qualitative soil assessment and we’ll send photos/video; or, you could arrange for us to come and do a site visit and you can check out what’s in it yourself.
Now that I've seen what's in my soil, what next?

That’s up to you. You can hang your photos on the wall, look for ways to change the levels of certain organisms, or do nothing.
Are there really living things beneath my feet?

There sure are! Some big enough to see like earthworms and others so small you need a microscope to see them. Around 30 bacteria will fit across a strand of fine human hair.
Do I need my own microscope?

If you are making your own compost teas for commercial crops on a regular basis, it is probably helpful to have your own to do frequent assessments as they are brewing. For most people, having access to a business to assess your soil samples will do the trick. Of course, microscopes are lots of fun. And we can train you how to use yours correctly.
How many bacteria do I need for healthy soil?

It depends on what you want to grow. Regardless, it is suggested a biomass of at least 300 micrograms of bacteria per gram soil is required before soil is considered healthy.
How long does it take to see results?

Again, it depends… factors such as the initial levels, temperature, moisture, levels of chemical residues, quality of amendments will all influence the time it takes. Having said that, plants can take up amendments very quickly. The impact on soil health takes a bit longer, so if things are not changing within a few months, it could be worth revisiting the strategies being used.