Soil Health 101: Why Soil Care Matters

Join Groundswell Center for a hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop exploring the fundamentals of soil health and its role in productive farming and resilient ecosystems. As part of our Intro to Farming Workshop Series, and in partnership with NY Soil Health, this session introduces practical strategies for building and caring for healthy soil in organic and small-scale farming systems.

Participants will rotate through learning stations led by farmers and staff, with demonstrations and hands-on activities covering soil structure and biology, compost use, mulching, weed suppression, reduced tillage, water retention, soil testing, and how to interpret soil test results. Activities may include applying mulch, spreading compost, comparing weed control methods, observing soil texture and structure, and reviewing real soil test reports to better understand soil fertility and management decisions.

No prior experience is necessary. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor, hands-on work.