Yes the Foundation Courses are 100% online, theory-based courses. You will watch a series of lectures and take a short quiz after each one.

Yes, they are. You’ll be able to login at any time, watch a lecture as many times as you like, then prepare for the short multiple-choice quiz that follows each lecture.

You can start as soon as you sign up.

• About the various groups of microorganisms that make up a fully-functional soil ecosystem, and how their interactions result in a constant flow of nutrients being made available to plants and trees.
• How plants and trees control the army of microorganisms in their root zones. Plants feed specific groups of microorganisms in order to harvest the particular nutrients required at any given moment. This results in vibrant, healthy plants and in super-nutritious fruits and vegetables.
• That there is an abundance of nutrients locked away in the crystalline structure of the mineral particles that make up all of the world’s soils – from the desert sands to prairies and forests, there is no soil on earth that is incapable of providing all the nutrients that plants require. The missing link is the army of soil microorganisms that can access these nutrients and make them available to plants.
• How beneficial soil microorganisms prevent diseases and pests from attacking plants. By occupying infection sites all over the roots and all of the above-ground parts of the plant, beneficial microorganisms make it impossible for the ‘bad-guys’ to get access to the plant. In addition to this, beneficial microorganisms create aerobic conditions in which the ‘bad-guys’ (which are mostly anaerobes) cannot survive.
• That beneficial microorganisms build structure in the soil, thus preventing soil erosion whilst simultaneously improving water holding capacity, infiltration and oxygenation. Having structure in the soil enables roots to go much deeper into the ground, where they can access greater quantities of water and nutrients.
• About the way in which the presence of beneficial fungi results in diminished weed pressure. Have you ever noticed how there are very few weeds to be found in a forest?
• How introducing the Soil Food Web can drastically increase the ability of a soil to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere.
• The history of agriculture and how certain practices have resulted in the destruction of the soil food web in so many of the world’s soils.
• Basic plant physiology and biochemistry. The course covers the basics that are required in order for you to be able to fully understand the processes that are taking place in a living, functional soil.
• About how the soil food web has been reintroduced to over 5 million acres worldwide. You will review a number of case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the soil food web and how it can be implemented on projects of any scale, any crop and in any climate.
• How to make and apply BioComplete™ compost and liquids.
• About the different kinds of equipment you can use to make and apply the amendments you make.
• The farming practices that are harmful to soil biology and what farmers can do to avoid them.
• How to quantify the different organism groups in a soil, compost or liquid sample, using the compound microscope. This will enable you to measure results as they happen underground and before they happen above ground.

There are 63 lectures total in all four Foundation Courses. To see the full break down of the Foundation Courses and the lecture titles, please click here.

The regular price for the 4 courses is $5,000. With the July 2023 Ecosystem  Restoration Bundle, you pay $3,800 and you get lots more FREE!

Students typically require about 150 hours in order to complete the FC at a reasonable pace.

We expect that a student can complete the FC in 4 weeks, if studying full-time. The maximum time allowed to complete the FC is 12 months. You can apply for an extension if you need it.

The courses are designed for people with no background in the field.

Students wishing to pursue a career as a Soil Food Web Consultant will need to progress from the Foundation Courses to the Consultant Training Program.

Some become Soil Food Web Consultants who help farmers, ranchers and growers to transition away from using chemicals, to a biological/regenerative farming technique. Others focus on producing great compost, which they then can sell to soil consultants or direct to farmers. And others become Soil Food Web Lab-Technicians who perform biological assessments for farmers and growers, or for Soil Food Web Consultants.

You will need to buy a suitable microscope and microscope camera, as well as some ancillary equipment such as test-tubes and slides, etc. Please take a look at this pdf for more information. You can buy a perfectly adequate microscope and camera for $500-$600.

That depends on you and how much effort you put into attracting new clients. You will need to identify and approach local farmers, growers, and compost producers. We will provide you with information on how to do that and some tips from other Certified Lab-Techs that have been successful.

You’ll get a maximum of 3 months to complete the CLP training program and the Microscopy Proficiency Assessment. During this time you will get 8 hours of 1-on-1 mentoring time.

You’ll need to complete the Foundation Courses (FC) first, but that can be done in just 4 weeks, working full time. We advise students that they need between 120-150 hours to complete the FC, so 4 weeks is plenty of time if you are focused. You’ll have up to 12 months to complete the FC if required.

You’ll get 2 attempts at taking the assessment. If you fail both times, then you will need to book some additional time with your mentor in order to work on whatever is going wrong. Once you have ironed-out the problems, you’ll be able to retake the assessment. Additional fees apply.

Your information, including name, address (optional), email, and phone number, will be featured on this page, once you have been certified as a Soil Food Web Lab-Tech. You can opt-out if you don’t want to be listed.

The short answer is yes. Some Certified Soil Food Web Lab-Techs tell us they charge between $120 and $150 per sample, but there are no restrictions. Remember it will take you about an hour to complete the assessment and the report.

We do receive inquiries from farmers, growers and compost producers who want to have an analysis performed. Some just go straight to the website and find a lab-tech by themselves. We make recommendations based on proximity, so if someone in your region contacts us, we’d recommend them to you.

That’s not a problem. This program is designed for beginners.

-Yes, the IER is 100% online. It comprises a series of lectures and quizzes that total 32 hours of content. You’ll have 12 months to complete this course online, and we advise students to commit to around 80 hours in total.

You can start as soon as you sign up.

• The key principles of ecology and ecosystem restoration
• Understanding the causes of ecosystem degradation
• How species and their populations interact with one another
• The different elements, phases and stages of ecosystems, how they work and how they interact with one another
• Earth’s cycles: how they work and how to restore them, including the carbon and water cycles
• Understanding the services that our ecosystems offer us and how they work
• How to restore ecosystems back to full health and functionality, following a range of examples
• How the soil biome works and how to restore it
• How to increase biodiversity on your site
• What a reference ecosystem is and how it works as a template for your restoration project
• How to use the principles and standards of practice commonly used in these fields to plan and develop your project
• How to measure the impact of a restoration project

The IER comprises a series of lectures and quizzes that total 32 hours of content. You’ll have 12 months to complete this course online, and we advise students to commit to around 80 hours in total.

• Yes. You will be able to attend Monthly Student Webinars with Paul Morris and other members of the training team.
• You will also have access to a dedicated forum, where you can ask any questions you may have about the course content.

The regular price is $1,400 but the IER is free with the Ecosystem Restoration Bundle.

Please note that this is the last time the IER will be at this price as a standalone product.

No. The IER has been designed for people with no scientific or ecological background. You do need to have a good level of English, so that you can follow the lectures and take the quizzes.