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Microbiology

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A new and exciting step in rebuilding healthy soil is managing for soil microbial communities. The soil environment is like any other ecosystem — it consists of producers, consumers, and predators. Bacteria and fungi make up the producers, beneficial protozoa and nematodes are the consumers, and the top predators are arthropods and predatory nematodes. This production and consumption model contributes to nutrient cycling in the soil. Due to past agricultural practices, most soil consists solely of bacteria.

To introduce more beneficial organisms and balance fungi-bacteria ratios, some farmers are turning to biodiverse, aerobic composting methods to inoculate their crop fields and pastures. This is a developing piece of work, so please check out the information below and continue to check back for more resources as they emerge.

LSP Johnson-Su Research Video Reports

Videographer Kobi Dansingburg recently created two reports on the on-farm research LSP conducted in Minnesota and Wisconsin over a two-year period related to developing compost using the Johnson-Su Bioreactor System.

• Video: Long Version

• Video: Short Version

Soil Microbiology Fact Sheet

• Elaine Ingham & Soil Health: How to Weave a Web of Willing Workers

Presentation on Johnson-Su Bioreactor System

On Aug. 26. 2022, LSP hosted David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su Johnson on the Pangrac dairy farm near Lewiston, Minn. The Johnson’s gave a presentation on the Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management System, otherwise known as BEAM. They also discussed the use of the Johnson-Su Bioreactor Composting system to build soil biology. Check out their presentation here.

Got a Question about Microbiology?

Want to get started taking a deep look at your soil’s biology? Give LSP a call at 507-523-3366.

Got an Idea?

If you have an idea you’d like to have featured in a video, blog, podcast, or field day, contact us.

Field Days & Workshops

See out web calendar for the latest LSP field days, workshops  & pasture walks

LSP Soil Health Podcast Series

Check out LSP’s ongoing Ear Dirt podcast series for conversations on cover cropping, no-till, managed rotational grazing, fungi, and just about anything else that builds soil health.

Soil Microbiology Videos

Check out LSP’s videos featuring farmers and other experts talking about the role microbiology and other regenerative practices can play in building healthy, profitable soil.

Related Posts

  • Ear to the Ground 292: Working the Microbes

    David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su Johnson’s approach to composting may help farming reach the ultimate regenerative ag pinnacle: self-sufficient soil.
    More Information
    • LSP’s Microbiology web page
    • Managing…

    Ear to the Ground 292: Working the Microbes
  • Ear to the Ground 271: Focusing on Fungi

    Maks Kopish is looking through a microscope and seeing a way for soil to be self-reliant.

    Ear to the Ground 271: Focusing on Fungi
  • Ear to the Ground 318: Great Expectations

    Farmer Mike Seifert is realizing that building a solid soil house is not enough — he also has to stock its pantry.

    More Information

    • LSP’s Soil…

    Ear to the Ground 318: Great Expectations

Soil Health Team

  • Alex Kaminski, 320-269-2105, e-mail
  • Robin Moore, 612-767-9480, e-mail
  • Shea-Lynn Ramthun, e-mail
  • Alex Romano, 612-767-9880, e-mail
  • Sarah Wescott, 612-767-9881, e-mail
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Upcoming Events

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December 2025

Monday December 22

All Day
Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar
Monday December 22
Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar
Zoom online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
 
This webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here. 
 
 

9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Monday December 22
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Zoom online

In December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

  • Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

January 2026

Thursday January 1

All Day
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Thursday January 1
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.
 
On Dec. 22, a webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here. 

Friday January 2

6:00 am – 12:00 am
Application Deadline for RSDP Farmer Climate Action Fund
Friday January 2
6:00 am – 12:00 am
Application Deadline for RSDP Farmer Climate Action Fund
Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

Are you a farmer in Greater Minnesota with an innovative idea to address climate change on your farm?

University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) invites farmers throughout Greater Minnesota to apply for funding for on-farm climate adaptation and mitigation projects through RSDP’s Farmer Climate Action Fund.  

Small grants will be awarded through a competitive process for ready-to-go, farmer-led projects, including but not limited to planting wildlife corridors, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy alternatives, implementing soil health practices that sequester carbon and incorporating agroforestry systems.

Priority will be given to projects that are shovel-ready and can be completed by December 31, 2026. 

The application portal is now open and you can apply until January 2, 2026, with awards announced in early February. 

Find more information and application materials on the RSDP website: https://z.umn.edu/FarmerFund.

Wednesday January 7

10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday January 7
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
La Crosse, Wis.

n December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

  • Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
  • Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

View Full Calendar

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  • Standing In Solidarity With Our Immigrant Neighbors December 4, 2025
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