11/21 Soil & Compost Workshop
Soil and Compost workshop
Stop thinking of soil as "dirt" and start seeing it as a living, breathing biological engine! Whether you’re a backyard gardener looking to boost your veggies or a regenerative farmer aiming to scale up soil health, this intensive one-day workshop at Mama Tree Ojai will transform your perspective.
Join host Logan Oliver and guest instructor Morgan Visalli (ecologist, permaculture designer, and founder of Grow with Mo Garden Design) for a hands-on deep dive into the soil food web. You’ll learn how to build the "house" (humus and structure), understand the "tenants" (microbes), and leave with some LIVING soil and inoculated mulch.
Workshop Highlights:
See & Understand Good Soil: Learn to evaluate soil health through your senses—identifying the "rich chocolate" color of humus and the earthy scent of active Actinobacteria. Morgan Visalli will kick off the day exploring the foundations of soil health, soil testing methods, and how to keep living soil thriving.
Composting Demos: Hands-on physical fun! Join Logan and Mo as they co-lead practical demonstrations on constructing different composting systems.
Microscopy Lab & Basics: Jump into the microbiology lab with Logan Oliver to look through the lens and identify the "Wanted List" of microbes, from nutrient-transporting fungal hyphae to nitrogen-releasing protozoa.
10 Composting Methods: Explore techniques ranging from Hot Compost and Vermicompost to Johnson-Su Bioreactors and Hugelkultur.
Interactive Q&A: Get all your home- and farm-scale questions answered so you leave empowered to put your new knowledge into action.
Details:
Date: Saturday, November 21st
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Gates open at 8:30 AM)
Location: Mama Tree Ojai
What’s Included: A sensory "Walk/Touch/Feel" site exploration, foundational soil lectures, live composting demonstrations, hands-on microbiology, and a soil troubleshooting Q&A.
Leave with a bucket of LIVING SOIL and some inoculated mulch to start your own garden or compost pile at home.
Schedule:
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Gates open & check-in
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Opening Circle;Intros & orientation
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Walk Touch FeelSensory site exploration
10:00 AM – 11 AM Soil Basics Lecture; Core conceptual lecture with Mo
11:10 AM – 11:20 AM Break; Move over to compost area
11:20 AM – 12:45 PM Compost Demo; Hands-on compost making with Logan & Mo
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch break(not provided)
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Microbiology LabHands-on microscope work w Logan
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Q&AGroup discussion & troubleshooting from attendee examples
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Closing Circle; Reflection & key takeaways
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Departure & gates close
Further details are sent out upon RSVP. We look forward to having you. =)
Questions? Email us at Programs@MamaTreeOjai.com