Ceremonial Compost Creation in honor of Dr. Elaine Ingham
Dr. Elaine Ingham taught the world to see soil as a living ecosystem and transformed the way many of us understand the hidden world beneath our feet. Following her passing in February, and in honor of her June 26 birthday, we are inviting our community to gather in celebration of Elaine's life, legacy, and profound impact on the fields of soil biology, compost, and regeneration.
Together, we will build a ceremonial compost pile—a living tribute that embodies the cycles Elaine taught us to see: transforming diverse materials into future life, fertility, and connection.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 9:00
Schedule
6:00–6:30 PM
Arrival, Site Preparation & Material Staging
Settle in, connect with fellow participants, and help organize materials for the compost build.
6:30–7:30 PM
Ceremonial Compost Build
Stories, reflections, and the creation of a community compost pile in honor of Dr. Elaine Ingham.
7:30-9:00 PM
Closing Circle, Cleanup & Community Potluck
Share a meal together, reflect on the experience, and celebrate the connections formed through compost, community, and Elaine's legacy.
Contact Evan Buckman
📧 [email protected]
📱 512-359-5206 (call or text)
Please Bring
Food to share with the community
Clean, compostable materials that are meaningful to you
Diverse compost feedstocks such as greens, browns (wood chips, dry leaves, etc.), clean manures (from animals not recently treated with dewormers or antibiotics), and plant materials (In small quantities)
A story, memory, or reflection to share (optional)
Flowers, natural decorations, or other items that help celebrate the occasion
Water bottle, sun protection, work gloves, sturdy clothing, and closed-toe shoes, 5 gallon buckets.
Volunteer Roles Needed
Photographer/Videographer
Greeter
Compost Materials Coordinator
Set-up and Cleanup Crew
About the Build
This pile will become part of the global Mother Pile Challenge, a month-long invitation to gather diverse materials, build community, and create compost in honor of Dr. Elaine Ingham's birthday on June 26.
Through this simple act, we celebrate Elaine's belief that healthy soil begins with healthy relationships—between people, place, and the living world.
Want to learn more? Watch the webinar recording about the global Mother Pile Challenge and download the companion guide to help you build your own ceremonial compost pile.
About the Event
This event is hosted in collaboration with:
Soil Food Web Foundation, 501c3
Rhizos, LLC
Festival Beach Food Forest
Fruitful Commons
Tierra Sagrada