will present a workshop on THE SOIL FOODWEB
with Dr. Elaine Ingham of Soil Foodweb, Inc. in Oregon
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Elaine Ingham spoke at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference held at
Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock, NC last November. Many of the
participants at that conference were so excited by her two presentations
that they asked if a workshop could be held covering just the Soil Foodweb.
Dr. Ingham's research is devoted to studying life in the soil...how fungi,
bacteria, insects, and other life forms improve soil fertility and tilth
and help control disease and provide beneficial compounds for plant growth.
To learn more about the Soil Foodweb, read the transcript of a seminar she
gave in California at
http://www.rain.org/~sals/ingham.html.
Dr. Ingham will be involved in all four days of the workshop, interacting
with the other speakers, making observations in the fields, and holding
discussions.
OTHER SPEAKERS AT THE WORKSHOP
*Jon Nilsson of East Coast Compost, a large scale composter/soil scientist
who introduced Elaine to the western N.C. area last year.
*Pat Battle, head gardener at Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock, NC, who is
constantly investigating practical methods for enhancing the soil foodweb.
*Dr. Richard McDonald of Symbiont Natural and Beneficial Insect Company in
Sugar Grove, NC. Formerly head of the Biological Control program for the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Richard is an independent
entomologist and researcher working around the world with beneficial
insects.
*Dr. Frank Louws, plant pathologist with N.C. State University. Frank will
be setting up viewing stations for insects, fungi, and other "players" in
the food web. If you want to bring your own specimens to the workshop,
please call for instructions.
*Dr. Jeanine Davis, horticulturist with N.C. State University. She works
to improve the sustainability of commercial herb and vegetable production
through use of cover crops, crop rotations, and organic mulches.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 3rd
Morning session at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC
8:30 Introduction of speakers
9:00 Introduction to the Soil Foodweb-Elaine Ingham
10:30 Break
10:45 Basics of the Soil Foodweb-Elaine Ingham
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon session at Highland Lake Inn, Flat Rock, NC
1:30 In the Garden with Jon Nilsson and Pat Battle on composting
3:00 Break
3:15 Soil Foodweb Relationships-Elaine Ingham
5:00 Adjourn
Special Saturday Night Discussion at 7:00 PM at Blue Ridge Community
College
Cost: $5
Ecological Effects of a Genetically Engineered Bacterium---Why Biosafety is
Mandatory
(Proceeds from this talk will go to further education on topic)
Discussion and Reception to follow
Sunday, October 4th
Morning session at Blue Ridge Community College
9:00 Continue Understanding the Soil Foodweb-Elaine Ingham
10:30 Break
11:00 Diseases and Insects-Frank Louws
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon session at Highland Lake Inn
1:30 In the garden with Pat Battle and Richard McDonald
5:00 Adjourn
Monday, October 5th
All day at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center,
Fletcher, NC
8:00 Method of Assessing Soil Organisms and Soil Improvement-Elaine
Ingham
9:15 Break
9:30 Use of Cover Crops, Crop Rotation and Mulch Applications in
Commercial Vegetable Production-Jeanine Davis
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Building the FoodWeb-Elaine Ingham
2:30 Break
2:45 How to Use the Information to Improve Your Soil-Elaine Ingham
5:00 Adjourn
Tuesday, October 6th
Meet at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, Good Earth Organics
Booth #30 in the Watermelon Shed, Asheville, NC
8:30 Farm tours in Buncombe county. Learn how to use the soil foodweb
concepts, how to use the soil test information
Site visits will be to:
R-Farm in Weaverville, with organic vegetable grower, John Rowland--Basil
trials for disease suppression
Thatchmore Farms in Leicester, with organic vegetable growers, Tom Elmore
and Karen Thatcher -Tomato late blight, orchard management, new ground
East Coast Compost in Leicester, with Jon Nilsson-large scale composting
operation
Bring your own lunch. Drinks provided.
5:00 Adjourn
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW MUCH
The workshop will be held from Saturday, October 3rd through Tuesday,
October 6th. Blue Ridge Community College, Highland Lake Inn, and the
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, all in
Henderson County, will be the sites for Saturday through Monday. On
Tuesday, farms in Buncombe County will be visited. All of these sites are
easily accessible from I-40 and I-26 near Asheville, NC.
Registration for all four days is $130. Single day charges are $45. Each
day is self-contained, but there will be a continuation of topics and
progression over the four days. Lunch is not included in the registration
cost. Refunds will be made if contacted one week in advance and if there
is a waiting list. Maximum number of attendees is 60.
REGISTRATION
Register by sending your name, address, and telephone number along with
your check made out to Jim Smith to:
Jim Smith
11 Elk Mountain Place
Asheville, NC 28804
If registering by the day, please indicate which days you want.
For more information contact Jim Smith at:
home: 828-232-0784
fax: 828-253-9494
email: jsmith@buncombe.main.nc.us
Jeanine M. Davis, PhD.
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
2016 Fanning Bridge Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Phone: 828-684-3562
FAX: 828-684-8715
E-mail: Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu
Website:http://fletcher.ces.state.nc.us/staff/jmdavis
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