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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

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    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…

    News Releases
    adaptive managed grazing, bale grazing, cover crops, grass, grazing, livestock
    LSP Pasture Walk to Feature Spring Grazing of Cover Crops May 19 near Ossian 
  • Ear to the Ground 273: Incubating Immigrants

    May 23, 2022

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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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    • Retiring Farmers & Landowners
      • Farmland Clearinghouse
      • Conservation Leases
      • Beginning/Retiring Farmer Tax Credit
      • Land Transition Tools
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    • Soil Health
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Upcoming Events

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June 2022

Tuesday June 7

10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Tuesday June 7
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

This is the second year of a two-year research project through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture looking into creating on-farm compost recipes using the Johnson-Su Bioreactor design. Land Stewardship Project staff are working with five farms to build a total of 10 bioreactors in the month of June. We are looking for 3 to 5 member-volunteers for the days of June 7, 9, 15, 17, and 29. Details are here.

E-mail Shona Snater at ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org for more information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

Thursday June 9

10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Thursday June 9
10:00 am – 5:00 pm


This is the second year of a two-year research project through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture looking into creating on-farm compost recipes using the Johnson-Su Bioreactor design. Land Stewardship Project staff are working with five farms to build a total of 10 bioreactors in the month of June. We are looking for 3 to 5 member-volunteers for the days of June 7, 9, 15, 17, and 29. Details are here.

E-mail Shona Snater at ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org for more information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
LSP Deep Canvass Training
LSP Deep Canvass Training
Thursday June 9
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Deep canvassing is a candid, non-judgmental, two-way conversation where canvassers ask voters to share their relevant, emotionally significant experiences and reflect on them aloud. It is one of the most durable and proven forms of persuasion when talking to people who might hold differing beliefs than you and is going to be critical in creating the world we want and need.

Join the Land Stewardship Action Fund to learn about deep canvassing, what it is and why it’s important, and get trained on how to deep canvass so you’re able to powerfully participate in LSAF’s upcoming deep canvasses and put these important skills to use in your community. Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/c1uCBAiC6UObLs1U2jjieA2.

Wednesday June 15

10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Wednesday June 15
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

This is the second year of a two-year research project through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture looking into creating on-farm compost recipes using the Johnson-Su Bioreactor design. Land Stewardship Project staff are working with five farms to build a total of 10 bioreactors in the month of June. We are looking for 3 to 5 member-volunteers for the days of June 7, 9, 15, 17, and 29. Details are here.

E-mail Shona Snater at ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org for more information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

Friday June 17

10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Volunteer Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction Event
Friday June 17
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

This is the second year of a two-year research project through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture looking into creating on-farm compost recipes using the Johnson-Su Bioreactor design. Land Stewardship Project staff are working with five farms to build a total of 10 bioreactors in the month of June. We are looking for 3 to 5 member-volunteers for the days of June 7, 9, 15, 17, and 29. Details are here.

E-mail Shona Snater at ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org for more information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

View Full Calendar

Recent Posts

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  • 2022 Minnesota Legislative Session Wrap-up — Maybe? May 25, 2022
  • Small, Complex & Focused May 23, 2022
  • Minnesota Legislative Leadership Squanders Opportunity to Fully Support Farmers, Food Systems & the Land in Ag Budget  May 21, 2022
  • Let’s Get a Robust State Budget Across the Finish Line! May 17, 2022

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