Soil Health and Composting Workshop
This hands-on workshop will empower educators with the practical knowledge and skills to implement effective vermiculture and composting in their school gardens--reducing reliance on landfills for food material recycling, and fostering a commitment to living systems amongst young minds. Special guest presenters Stefan Stehling of ROOT Solution LLC and Emma Wood of Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District will blend practical knowledge with interdisciplinary garden-related programming, sharing a ground-level introduction to soil health, carbon cycling, and fertility building, along with NGSS and other curriculum on soil science and microbiology through the grades. There will also be opportunities for peer-to-peer sharing throughout the day.
This workshop will be ideal for school garden teachers, classroom science or multi-subject teachers, and environmental enthusiasts seeking to implement and champion sustainable resource management practices and foster a culture of low-impact, ecologically sound soil building practices in school gardens.
A seasonal lunch will be provided (with vegetarian and vegan options available), and participants will also receive giveaways of compost-related materials.
This workshop will be ideal for school garden teachers, classroom science or multi-subject teachers, and environmental enthusiasts seeking to implement and champion sustainable resource management practices and foster a culture of low-impact, ecologically sound soil building practices in school gardens.
A seasonal lunch will be provided (with vegetarian and vegan options available), and participants will also receive giveaways of compost-related materials.
Workshop Details:
When: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 9am-3pm
Where: University Elementary at La Fiesta (8511 Liman Way, Rohnert Park)
Tickets:
- $35 early bird discount before January 20
- $35 group participant (we encourage you to participate as a school team!)
- $45 individual participant
Where: University Elementary at La Fiesta (8511 Liman Way, Rohnert Park)
Tickets:
- $35 early bird discount before January 20
- $35 group participant (we encourage you to participate as a school team!)
- $45 individual participant
For questions please contact Courtney Delello at [email protected]
Agenda:
9-9:15am: Settling in
9:15-10am: Introductions
10-11:30am: Composting and Soil Health sessions running concurrently
11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch
12:30-2pm: Groups switch sessions from the morning
2-3pm: Peer-to-Peer exchange and Q&A session
Evaluations & Giveaways
9:15-10am: Introductions
10-11:30am: Composting and Soil Health sessions running concurrently
11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch
12:30-2pm: Groups switch sessions from the morning
2-3pm: Peer-to-Peer exchange and Q&A session
Evaluations & Giveaways
Presenters:
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Stefan Stehling, Roots Solution LLC & Conservation Works (he/him)
Stefan has worked at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, education, and grassroots environmental improvement for over twenty years. He has worked with dozens of North Bay and North Coast schools teaching and implementing on-site vermicomposting and recycling systems. With experience in small scale agriculture, horticulture, permaculture, and education, he combines these skills and expertise in leading interdisciplinary garden-related programming to engage young people in living systems. As the owner of ROOTS Solutions LLC, he offers small scale contract nursery plants for restoration plantings and teaches garden classes at Apple Blossom Elementary School. He also works as the Deputy Director of Conservation Works, managing water conservation, pollinator habitat, and organics diversion programs throughout the Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma and Marin Counties. Contact: [email protected] |
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Emma Wood, Project Coordinator, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (she/her)
Emma Wood has been immersed in organic farming for over a decade and has recently transitioned to working in conservation. Her journey into agriculture began during her travels in South America, where she gained hands-on experience working on an organic dairy. Upon returning to the United States, she joined a worker-run farming operation in southern Pennsylvania, ultimately making her way back to California to pursue her passion for sustainable agriculture. In 2016, Emma completed the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems program at UC Santa Cruz, further solidifying her expertise in sustainable farming practices. She spent six years cultivating cut flowers in Sonoma County, where she deepened her commitment to soil health and the potential of carbon farming practices to combat climate change. Currently, Emma is pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Solutions at Presidio Graduate School while collaborating with School Garden Network and the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District. Her work is driven by a vision to create equitable wages and sustainable livelihoods for farmers and farm workers by bridging the gap between agriculture, business, and entrepreneurship. Contact: [email protected] |
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Courtney Delello, Farm-to-School Program Manager (she/her)
With a BS in Ecology and an MA in Sustainable Communities, Courtney has spent her career involved in all aspects of local food systems, from research to education to getting dirty growing food. She has been an associate instructor in the Agriculture/Natural Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College for 15 years and spent the last few years directing adolescents in the running of a 1 acre market garden. Courtney also recently started a culinary garden consulting business, helping people to understand how much food it is possible to produce in a small area. As SGN's Farm-to-School Program Manager she enjoys sharing her passion for local food systems with others in the community. Contact: [email protected] |
This workshop brought to you by SGN's partners:
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