Interested in making compost teas and extracts for a living soil? Discover efficient methods to introduce and multiply the beneficial microbes found in high quality compost into your growing spaces. Join us for a presentation and discussion on brewing techniques and how to apply them. Understand the biological needs of the soil you work with and the plants that your soil supports. Learn to assess compost and additional ”food” for the microbes within compost. We’ll talk through how to set up both a small-scale, DIY brewing system and a 100-gallon brewing system, as well as the importance of monitoring the brew with a microscope. The knowledge shared here comes from four years of trialing and learning, offered to you, so you can determine how compost tea brewing might work for you and your soils.

Please bring lunch and a water bottle!

Schedule/Agenda:

  9:30 – Arrival

10:00 – Introductions

10:15 – Why compost teas & extracts? Overview of Soil Food Web theory

10:45 – Review equipment used for applying teas and extracts 

11:00 – Brewer functionality: air delivery styles and differences of purchased and DIY setups

12:00 – Lunch break – Make sure to bring your own lunch!

12:30 – Additional types of helpful equipment: microscopes, tea bags, pH meters, EC meters, thermometers, liquid transfer supplies 

1:00 – Tea recipes, feeding microbes, variables during the brew process

1:30 – Questions & wrap up

 

About the Instructors:

John Duke, a member of the NOFA/Mass Board of Directors, has been a student of the Soil Food Web for the past 7 years, making compost, brewing compost teas and extracts and trying to make this process as efficient and applicable for the grower.  Recently, he has been working with brewing techniques based on Tim Wilson’s website, Microbe Organics.  He is passionate about the use of a microscope on the farm or garden as a means to connect with the microbes that support soil health, and therefore, whole health. 

Accessibility:

Land is flat and navigable, though no formalized wheelchair accessibility. Consider bringing a fold up chair if you prefer to sit. Dress warm with layers. Indoor spaces available (barn, greenhouse) in case of rain. Bathroom and water for refills available.

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

In the case of snow, we will reschedule. For more information on our refund and inclement weather policy, click here. 

Capacity:

Capacity for this event is limited to 15 people. Register ahead of time to secure your space! 

 

Questions?

Contact [email protected]