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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

Wednesday December 3

9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Cimate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday December 3
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Cimate 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. 

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LSP Montevideo Office Open House-Member Orientation
Wednesday December 3
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LSP Montevideo Office Open House-Member Orientation
North 1st Street West, N 1st St W, Montevideo, MN 56265, USA

On the first Wednesday of each month, the Land Stewardship Project hosts coffee and conversation at our downtown Montevideo office (111 North First Street), and we hope you will have time to join us at the next one on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

This month, we have the exciting opportunity to combine the first 45 minutes of the Monte coffee-and-conversation with the launch of LSP’s quarterly Member Orientations. Designed for both new and long-time members alike, the Member Orientation will ground participants in an overview of LSP’s approach and help each person identify what being an LSP member looks like for them right now.

We will still have plenty of time to enjoy our coffee and build community the old-fashioned way, by talking face-to-face.

Additionally, if drinking coffee makes you chatty — or even if it doesn’t — please consider staying an extra hour for a quick membership phone bank. We will call LSP members in western Minnesota and ask them to renew their membership and share what’s on their minds. Training and script provided.

 Normally we wouldn’t ask for an RSVP for an open house, but in this case it will help us know how many materials to prep. So if you can, please let us know if you plan to come for the Member Orientation section and/or stay for the phoning hour.

Come when you can and stay as long as you like! Don’t hesitate to bring along a friend or two — we always enjoy meeting someone new.

Thursday December 4

9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Using the Haney Test to Cut Fertilizer Use Without Sacrificing Yield
Thursday December 4
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Using the Haney Test to Cut Fertilizer Use Without Sacrificing Yield
118 Bissen St, Caledonia, MN 55921, USA

This workshop will focus on how soil testing can help reduce fertility costs and increase a farmer’s return on investment. Presenters include Grant Wells, Conner Shaw, Tucker Garrigan, and Emily Jopp. For more information, contact Myron Sylling at 507-459-7792.

Friday December 5

5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Marshall
Friday December 5
5:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreat: Marshall
Merit Center, 1001 Erie Rd, Marshall, MN 56258, USA

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

  • Family and business goals
  • Job responsibilities
  • Financial needs of farms and families
  • Inheritance considerations
  • Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

Wednesday December 10

9:00 am – 11:30 am
Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop
Wednesday December 10
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. 

View Full Calendar

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