Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled.

 

A bilingual event. Ver la pagina en español

Join us for an immersive journey into the intricate world beneath our feet – a realm of microorganisms that hold the keys to soil vitality and plant health. In this captivating workshop, we’ll delve deep into the captivating realm of microbial partnerships that power our ecosystems.

Theoretical Exploration: Discover the symphony of life unfolding beneath the soil’s surface. Our facilitators will guide you through the fascinating world of microbial interactions, exploring how these invisible allies shape soil structure, enhance nutrient availability, and fortify plant resilience. Through insightful presentations and interactive discussions, you’ll grasp the profound impact of microbial communities on the health of your garden.

Hands-On Practicum: Put your newfound knowledge into action as we embark on an engaging hands-on experience. Learn how to craft your very own DIY soil amendments that will foster a thriving microbial community. From nutrient-rich compost teas to microbial inoculants, you’ll gain practical skills to empower your garden’s microbial workforce. Guided by skilled instructors, you’ll create custom amendments tailored to your garden’s unique needs, ensuring a harmonious partnership between plants and microorganisms.

This event will be offered in Spanish and interpreted into English. Our presenter, Rubén Parilla, is bilingual.

 

 

What to Expect:

• Deepen your understanding of microbial interactions and their significance in soil health.
• Learn to identify signs of a balanced soil ecosystem and its impact on plant vitality.
• Engage in demonstration style, creating bespoke microbial-rich amendments.
• Connect with fellow participants and experts, fostering a community of passionate gardeners.
• Take home practical resources and recipes to continue nurturing your garden’s microbial allies.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener seeking to enhance your soil’s vitality or a curious beginner looking to unlock the secrets of sustainable cultivation, this workshop is your gateway to fostering a thriving garden through the power of microbial partnerships. Join us and be part of a transformative journey that connects science with hands-on practice, revealing the hidden gardeners that contribute to a flourishing ecosystem. Your garden’s untapped potential awaits – let’s dig in together!

Schedule

1:00 Gather and Intros

1:30 Background on Farming is Life

2:00 Hands-on Demonstrations

3:00 Discussions & Networking

4:00 Closing

About the Instructors:

Rubén Parilla (he/him) is the Soil Technical Program 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.

Jody Mendoza and Richy Peña:  Before the pandemic, Richy Pena, a Grammy award winning music producer had a recording studio in Miami and was working with international celebrities through major record labels.  Jody Mendoza was a nightclub owner in the Boston area and was working in the newly legal cannabis industry to open a recreational retail dispensary. As with many families, the pandemic provided a forced pause and a reassessment of values.  They decided it was time to make a difference and do something positive to truly help our communities, not just entertain them.

When the opportunity to purchase a farm arose, they jumped at the chance to realize a lifelong dream. Now Richy and Jody are working to identify and develop transferable practices that can be used by farmers to make farming more manageable.  In addition to all of the expected farming work, Richy also works with AI and other technologies to assist in automating tedious and difficult farming chores such as irrigation.  He is also building a farming assistant to record and analyze inputs, practices used and observations.  Jody is experimenting with regenerative and biodynamic techniques with a variety of crops grown from certified organic seeds to determine which work best in this region.  She is also utilizing her business background to analyze the economics of farming to identify the pressure points that prevent more people from entering the field and successfully operating a farm.

About the Project:

This event is funded by the Massachusetts Coordinated Soil Health Program (MACSHP), an initiative of American Farmland Trust in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), NOFA/Mass, and UMass Amherst. Find out more at https://farmland.org/ma-soil-health-program/ .

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

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

Please register ahead to reserve your spot! Contact Ruben at [email protected] for day of logistics or Hannah at [email protected] for any additional questions or if you cannot attend.