This advanced soil biology training is part of the 2014 Virginia Farm to Table

Conference. To see the agenda for the entire Conference, please visit

http://conference.virginiafarmtotable.org or call (540) 432-6029 ext.106/117

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA? Organized & moderated by Chris Lawrence, USDA-NRCS

8:30 am – Registration / Networking (30 min.)

Welcome / Objectives (10 min.)

Introduction to the Soil Food Web: Soil Organisms and What They Do (50 min.)

Nutrient Cycling I: How the Soil Food Web Can Replace Fertilizer (30 min.)

10:30 am – Break / Networking (15 min.)

Farmer 1 Comments & Case Study (25 min.)

Building the Soil Sponge: How Life Creates Soil Structure & Porosity (50 min.)

Noon – Lunch / Networking (60 min.)

Farmer 2 Comments & Case Study (25 min.)

Beating Soil Pests & Diseases: “Biocontrol” vs. “Managing Soil Ecology” (30 min.)

Nutrient Cycling II: The Real, Biological Nitrogen Cycle (30 min.)

2:30 pm – Break / Networking / Refreshments (15 min.)

Farmer 3 Comments & Case Study (25 min.)

The Soil Food Web at Work: Practical Examples from Around the World (30 min.)

Compost, Compost Teas, Compost Extracts (30 min.)

Discussion / Wrap-up (15 min.)

4:30 pm – Adjourn

WHAT IT COSTS:

$25

WHAT YOU GET: A full day of mind-opening ideas from a

world-famous soil biology expert.

Comments from local farmers putting

soil health principles into practice.

Networking with others ready to take

their soil management to next level.

A great meal made with food

from local farms.

Your own copy of the excellent

Soil Biology Primer ($20 value)

Continuing education credits

(4.0 NRCS Planner CEUs,

4.5 CCA CEUs, and more)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Anyone wanting to better understand how building soil biology can produce

more productive, profitable, and sustainable farming systems

Conventional farmers

Organic & biological growers

No-tillers & strip-tillers

Graziers & grassland managers

Cover crop enthusiasts

Gardeners & horticulturalists

Landscapers & nursery managers

Ag consultants & crop advisors

Extension Agents & Specialists

NRCS & SWCD personnel

Ag/environmental scientists/students

Regulators & policymakers

Soil Biology: Core Principles & Practical Applications An intensive class with DR. ELAINE INGHAM, including insights from LOCAL FARMERS implementing soil health principles

Hosted by:

SAME TRAINING, TWO LOCATIONS!

Weyers Cave, VA Blue Ridge Community College, Plecker Workforce Center

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Petersburg, VA VA State University Main Campus, L. Douglas Wilder Building

Thursday, December 4, 2014 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Virginia Soil Health Coalition

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or

other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Eric Bendfeldt at 540-432-6029 ext. 106 during business

hours (8am-5pm) to discuss accommoda-tions at least 5 days prior to the event.

Interested in helping sponsor this event? Please call (540) 432-6029 ext.106/117

Dr. Elaine Ingham is a globally-recognized soil microbiologist and soil management educator. For over 30 years, Dr. Ingham has focused on the science of rebuilding soil biology and soil health in order to grow better crops while reduc-ing reliance on external inputs. She is the founder and President of Soil Foodweb Inc., an international laboratory sys-tem that assesses the balance of organisms in soils and other materials. Dr. Ingham earned her PhD in Microbiology from Colorado State in 1981. She conducted post-doctoral research at both Colorado State and University of Georgia. She was on the faculty of Oregon State University in both Forest Science and Botany and Plant Pathology from 1986 to 2001. Dr. Ingham is an Affiliate Professor of Graduate Research at South-ern Cross University in Lismore, NSW, Australia, and an Affiliate Professor of Sustainable Living at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. She served as Chief Scientist at Rodale Institute and as Program Chair for the Ecological Society of America. She was primary author of the Soil Biology Primer, a highly readable introduction to soil biology published by the Soil & Water Conservation Society and USDA-NRCS.

WHO IS ELAINE INGHAM?

REGISTER BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28! Go to http://conference.virginiafarmtotable.org or call (540) 432-6029 ext.106/117

Take I-95 to Exit 54 (Temple Ave). Turn left at light at end of ramp, going west on Temple Ave / Rt. 144. Turn left at 2nd light, going south on Boulevard / Rt. 1 / Rt. 301. Con-tinue to 4th light, turn right onto Dupuy Rd. (at Wawa store). Dupuy Rd. becomes River Rd. Travel ½ mile, VSU is on left, enter at Matthew-Jefferson Dr. See map below. Wilder Building will be on your left. Park in Lots 28 or 27.

Recommended parking lots

Meeting location

Address: One College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. Take I-81 to Exit 235. Turn west off exit ramp onto Rt. 256. After a short distance, Rt. 256 ends at Rt. 11. Turn left onto Rt. 11 heading south. Travel approx. ½ mile, BRCC is on left. South Entrance gives easiest access to parking for Plecker Workforce Center. See map below.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

To Dec. 3 / Weyers Cave / BRCC Location

Meeting location

To Dec. 4 / Petersburg / VSU Location

“There is nothing mystical about soil life and what it can do for you — it’s just biology that needs to be under-

stood and managed like any other as-pect of agricultural science.”

- Dr. Elaine Ingham.