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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.

Soil Microbiology Fact Sheet

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

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

  • LSP Pasture Walk to Feature Spring Grazing of Cover Crops May 19 near Ossian 

    April 25, 2022

    OSSIAN, Iowa — Spring grazing of cover crops will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) pasture walk May 19, from 5 p.m…

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    LSP Pasture Walk to Feature Spring Grazing of Cover Crops May 19 near Ossian 
  • Ear to the Ground 272: Micro Milk Mentorship

    April 14, 2022

    Government regulators may be befuddled by Cella Langer and Emmet Fisher’s tiny dairy, but these Farm Beginnings/Journeyperson grads know exactly where it fits into their business.
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  • Ear to the Ground 266: Activating Soil Life

    https://landstewardshipproject.org/podcast-player/6003/ear-to-the-ground-266-activating-soil-life.mp3

    Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 29:18 | Recorded on April 10, 2022

    How farmers involved in an LSP research project hope to use the Johnson-Su Bioreactor composting system to spark a chain reaction of underground ecological activity. 
    More information…

    Ear to the Ground 266: Activating Soil Life

Soil Health Team

  • Shona Snater, Programs Department co-director,
    612-767-9886, e-mail
  • Alex Romano, grazing,
    612-767-9880, e-mail
  • Barbara Sogn-Frank, field crops,
    612-400-6357, e-mail
  • Robin Moore, non-operating landowners,
    612-767-9480, e-mail
  • Maura Curry, field crops,
    612-767-9882, e-mail
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Upcoming Events

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May 2022

Wednesday May 18

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
LSP Food Systems Virtual Listening Session
LSP Food Systems Virtual Listening Session
Wednesday May 18
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

The Land Stewardship Project will hold a virtual listening session on regional food systems. Register here.

Thursday May 19

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk
Thursday May 19
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

LSP will hold a Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Oak Creek Pastures in Ossian, Iowa. Sign-in for this free event begins at 4:45 p.m. Supper will be provided; suggested $3-$5 meal contribution.

Scott & Amanda Holthaus of Oak Creek Pastures are hosting a pasture walk for area graziers to show cattle grazing on crop-ground planted last fall to a diverse winter cover mix (rye, vetch, triticale, winter barley) and results of winter bale grazing on permanent pasture. There will be a discussion around fencing and watering considerations for maximizing grazing days.
 
Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/aYx1CibrAUaEu0XVPjqlIw2.

Friday May 20

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Farm Bill Listening Session for Retiring Farmers, Non-operating Landowners
Farm Bill Listening Session for Retiring Farmers, Non-operating Landowners
Friday May 20
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Join the Land Stewardship Project on Friday, May 20, from noon-1 p.m., for a virtual conversation with other retiring farmers and non-operating landowners to discuss how federal policy could better support your efforts to build a more just and resilient agricultural system. To register, click here.

Saturday May 21

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Farmer Fiesta at Whitewater State Park
Farmer Fiesta at Whitewater State Park
Saturday May 21
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Get to know other farmers and learn about conservation programs while enjoying a build-your-own taco bar with locally grown foods and ice cream served by the Winona County Dairy Princess. After supper, area farmer and soil conservationist Martin Larsen will share his experiences caving below the farm fields of southeastern Minnesota. Reserve a spot for this free Friends of Whitewater State Park event by e-mailing sara.holger@state.mn.us or calling 507-312-2308.

Tuesday May 24

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
LSP Food Systems In-Person Listening Session
LSP Food Systems In-Person Listening Session
Tuesday May 24
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

The Land Stewardship Project will be holding an in-person listening session on regional food systems in Montevideo, Minn. Register here.

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

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  • Only 13 Days Left to Invest in Farmers May 10, 2022
  • Rural Voices Hold More Power Than You Think May 5, 2022
  • Legislative Session Heads into its Final Days May 4, 2022
  • LSP Pasture Walk to Feature Spring Grazing of Cover Crops May 19 near Ossian  April 25, 2022

Montevideo

117 South First Street
Montevideo, MN 56265

(320) 269-2105

Lewiston

180 E. Main Street
Lewiston, MN 55952

(507) 523-3366

Minneapolis

821 E. 35th Street #200
Minneapolis, MN 55407

(612) 722-6377

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