What's the difference between soil and dirt? Put simply, it's a matter of life and death!

While that may seem like a bold statement, it is the living microorganisms that reside in soil that contribute to healthy plants, livestock, farms and ultimately nutritious food for people. Without these microorganisms, we're left with dirt and you can't grow good food in dirt!

So join the FarmED team on a journey into the hidden world beneath our feet, for a day of inspiring talks and group discussions, a farm walk, soil testing practicals and a nutritious and seasonal lunch.

Content

In this module you will come to appreciate soil as an ecosystem, full of different organisms that make up the soil food web.

You will learn how healthy soils are fundamental for our food system to function, and therefore for humans to thrive on earth.

We will take a tour of FarmED to experience soil grown in four different farming systems, identify worms and other critters living underground, and get our hands dirty conducting a basic soil test.

Finally, you'll gain an understanding of how different farming practices can contribute to the regeneration or degeneration of soils.

Who's this module for?

This module is designed for people who are interested in gaining a fundamental understanding of the importance of soil. No prior knowledge or experience is required.

Tiered Pricing

Delivery of our mission is a collective effort and our values embrace inclusivity and diversity. We don’t want price to be a barrier to anyone visiting FarmED or attending our events. Read more about our tiered pricing policy here.

The FarmED Bursary

If funding is a barrier to you, we can help. We have a small bursary pot which we can use to help fund or part fund course fees and other expenses for those that will benefit most.

Click here for more info: www.farm-ed.co.uk/bursaries

GREAT Project Participants

As part of the project we can offer subsidised places to existing and aspiring farmers, growers and advisers in Gloucestershire to the suite of regenerative agriculture and agroecological transition courses at FarmED. To book, please select the GREAT ticket option below. You will be asked for a few eligibility details including evidence of your involvement in regenerative agriculture and your potential impact in Gloucestershire.

More information and booking

Tickets include refreshments and a nutritious and seasonal lunch from the FarmED Kitchen.

If you are a farmer, grower or grazier seeking more advanced and applied training in soil health then take a look at our regenerating soil health courses with agroecological adviser, Niels Corfield:

● Regenerating Soil Health for Arable Farmers

● Regenerating Soil and Pasture Health for Graziers & Livestock Farmers

● Regenerating Soil Health for Horticultural Growers

If you require more information on FarmED please email sophie@farm-ed.co.uk.

Your booking is safe. If we cannot run any element of the training face to face due to Covid restrictions, you will be refunded, or you can switch to an alternative course/date.