Many of us dream of transforming old, depleted fields into thriving orchards and productive agroforestry systems filled with nut- and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. But how can we ensure our saplings get the best possible start and establish healthy, resilient ecosystems?

One key step is investing in your soil’s Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs). These essential microbes enhance soil health, improve nutrient cycling, and create the conditions for long-term plant vitality.

In this workshop, we’ll work backward through the IMO process, focusing on IMO4, a core practice of Korean Natural Farming (KNF). Rather than making IMOs from scratch, we’ll use fully prepared IMO4 to build soil fertility. You’ll see how to apply IMO4 in the field alongside a terminated cover crop, which will provide green biomass to feed soil microbes and jumpstart nutrient cycling.

Along the way, we’ll break down each step leading up to this point—explaining how IMOs are collected, cultivated, and expanded. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to replicate this process at home and integrate it into your own planting projects.

This workshop is open to all skill levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your natural farming techniques.

Cost: Sliding scale $30 – $45 – $60

Agenda:

3:30 – Welcome & Introductions

3:45 – Understanding Soil Health & IMOs

4:15 – Field Demonstration: Applying IMO4 

5:15 – How We Got Here: The IMO Process

6:00 – Q&A & Group Discussion

6:20 – Closing and Next Steps

About :

Listening Skies is a budding homestead-scale agro-forestry project located on unceded land of the  Nipmuc people in Plainfield, Massachusetts.  It is being stewarded with a vision to grow food for friends and neighbors and to contribute to regional food sustainability and resilience.  Its stewards are interested in providing a welcoming space for connection, learning,  and cultivating conversations for ecological solutions, regenerative agriculture, and social justice.  

About the Instructors:

Rubén Parrilla (he/him) is the Soil Technical Coordinator and Education Director for NOFA/Mass and trained in microscopic soil microbial identification through the Soil Food Web School. He is a Certified Lab Tech and studied Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. Rubén has 15 years’ experience working at different capacities in the environmental laboratory industry. He has been performing soil carbon proxy testing, soil health assessments, soil chemical analysis, and soil microbiological evaluations for NOFA/Mass over the past year and has extensive experience farming and working with farmers, including beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Rubén performs soil health-related outreach and education events for NOFA/Mass by leading monthly farmer learning calls, providing hands-on workshops and instruction at soil health education events, and networking with farmers and individuals in the agricultural industry. He is a fluent and native Spanish speaker and fully English/Spanish bilingual.

More Information:

There are no bathrooms available on site. Hand sanitizer is available. Portions of our farm tour will cover uneven terrain. 

Please share with us your needs regarding (but not limited to): physical accessibility, allergies, noise, scent, gender, intellectual accessibility, and any instructions or tips to help you fully participate. 

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

For information on our refund and inclement weather policy, click here. 

Capacity:

Capacity is limited to 40 people. Register to reserve your spot!

Questions?

Please contact [email protected] with any questions

Partners

MDAR Agroforestry 

This Project was supported by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through grant AM22SCBPMA1163. Its contents are solely the authors’ responsibility and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.