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Learn the Theory with Dr. Elaine Ingham
In this series of 63 lectures, you’ll learn all the theory behind the Soil Food Web, including how to make, assess, and apply BioComplete™ Compost and liquid inoculums.
Master the Microscope
As a Certified Soil Food Web Lab-Tech, you’ll have the skills to show farmers what their soil needs to boost yields. If you’re a farmer, you’ll be able to really see what’s happening in your own soil!
Generate Income From Home
Having their soil assessed is often the first step farmers want to take when they start thinking about soil biology. Some of our lab-techs charge $120 or more per sample.
Case Studies
Ecuador, India, Peru, & USA
Soil Food Web Consultant Miles Sorel, reports how his company, Terraforma, saved one client $600 per acre and increased yields for another client by 146%. In this webinar amazing, Miles presented Case Studies on projects from 4 different countries and crop types.
Market Garden Makeover (Sweden)
Soil Food Web Consultant. Renald Flores reported an average increase in yields of 72% across 8 different types of crops, on this market garden near Stockholm, Sweden.
Everyone Wins With The Proven Soil Food Web Approach
There is no better way to grow plants than the way which nature herself has devised. See below how our regenerative agriculture methodologies benefit all!
Higher Yields
Reduced Costs
Disease & Weed Suppression
Better Quality
Carbon Sequestration
Protecting Insects & Plants
Prevent Soil Erosion
Clean Rivers & Oceans
”Saved Client $1 Million While Eliminating Pesticides & GMO
Todd Harrington, Owner of Harrington’s Organic Land CareCertified Soil Food Web Consultant
"One of my clients out in the Midwest does soy and corn. In 3 years they completely eliminated Roundup… switched over to non-GMO, and just that alone had saved them over $1M… What business can you go into, make money, and yet you’re giving back to society? You’re giving back to the environment and you’re giving back to your children."
Not a Scientist or Farmer? Not a Problem
You don’t have to be a biologist or farmer to master Dr. Elaine’s Soil Food Web Approach. Watch the video below and you’ll see: our courses are designed for people from all walks of life.
Together, We Can Heal Our Planet
As you complete Dr. Elaine’s™ Foundation Courses, you’ll join our global soil food web community comprising people who are out there making a difference. As part of our community, you’ll get access to the Foundation Courses Forum and to regular live Q&A webinars with Dr. Elaine and her team.
Completing and passing the Foundation Courses with a 90% average grade will ensure that you are automatically eligible to join our Consultant Training Program. Our Consultants are equipped to implement Dr. Elaine’s™ Soil Food Web Approach and turn their knowledge and skills into a meaningful and profitable career. Qualified consultants are in high demand!
The Launch Your Lab+ Permaculture Online Training Curriculum
With this limited-time offer, you’ll get access to the following online programs.
Foundation Course 1
Introduction to the Soil Food Web
- Understanding soil
- The benefits of the Soil Food Web
- Soil Food Web microorganisms
- Working with the Soil Food Web
- Case studies
Foundation Course 2
Making BioComplete™ Compost
- The history of Compost
- BioComplete™ Compost
- Making BioComplete™ Compost
- Large scale production
- Application methods
Foundation Course 3
Making BioComplete™ Extracts & Teas
- Producing BioComplete™ extracts
- Producing and balancing BioComplete™ teas
- Application methods
Foundation Course 4
Microscopy
- Using the compound microscope
- Biological morphology
- Interpreting data
Certified Lab-Tech Program
Setting Up & Operating Your Lab
- One-on-one microscopy training with our expert mentors (virtual sessions)
- Formal assessment for certification (2 attempts)
- How to Launch Your Lab Guidebook
Introduction to Permaculture
Designing a Sustainable Future
- Permaculture Principles
- Design Sequences
- Cycles of Intervention
- Zones, Sectors and Throughputs
- Ecological Principles
- Understanding Plants
There are so many reasons why conventional agriculture is not working. Farmers spend thousands of dollars each year to improve soil fertility and to protect their crops against pests and disease, but the results are frustratingly ineffective.
Many farmers are realizing that the chemical approach to agriculture is a never-ending story, which results in pollution of our rivers and oceans and the destruction of natural habitats.
The Soil Food Web Approach offers farmers a way out. Working in harmony with nature can be far more cost effective and rewarding than you might imagine. This 3-step process enables farmers to reduce their expenses and to increase their yields. Take a look at the video for more information.
Serious About A Career In Soil Regeneration?
Upon graduating from the Foundation Courses, you can immediately apply to our Soil Food Web Consultant Training Program, but why not become a Certified Lab-Tech first and start making a little money and a lot of contacts, who may one day become your clients?!
”From Permaculture to Thriving Commercial Composting Business
Keisha & Casey, Owners of Catalyst BioAmendmentsCertified Soil Food Web Consultants
"Without the Soil Food Web, we wouldn't have this business. The training we got from Dr. Elaine Ingham... has completely shifted our life paths. We've more than doubled the normal compost prices in our area."
”Used to Work in IT, Pivoted to His True Passion
Brian Vagg, Owner of Sprouting Soil Certified Soil Food Web ConsultantCertified Soil Food Web Consultants
"Becoming a Soil Food Web Consultant was a life-transforming event for me. My clients see the results so quickly... I feel really good about doing something so positive."
Here’s Everything You Get In This Limited-Time* Offer
* This is the last time in 2021 we’ll be offering the Launch Your Lab+ Permaculture bundle.
FOUNDATION COURSES
All 4 Online Foundation Courses
63 lectures containing the science and theory behind the Soil Food Web Approach.
Downloadable Materials
The FC Course Manual, Glossary and all of the Lecture Slide Decks.
Contact with Dr. Elaine
Enjoy regular LIVE Q&A webinars with Dr. Elaine and members of the faculty.
Access to the FC Forum
Post questions for Dr. Elaine and her team to answer and interact with other students.
CERTIFIED LAB-TECH PROGRAM
1-on-1 Microscopy Training
Up to 8 hours of virtual contact time with your Microscopy Mentor.
Certification Assessment
Pass the test within 2 attempts to become a Certified Soil Food Web Lab-Tech.
How to Launch Your Lab Guidebook
Discover practical ways to find new clients and offer your soil assessment services.
Referral Network
You’ll get a free Certified Lab-Tech listing on the Soil Food Web School website.
FREE BONUS! INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE COURSE
18 Online Lectures
Each lecture is followed by a quiz to help you assess your progress.
Downloadable Materials
You’ll be able to download the slides from each lecture and other reading materials.
Completion Certification
Once you successfully complete all 18 lectures and quizzes you will receive a digital certificate.
Private Forum w/ Graham Bell
Get all of your questions about permaculture design answered by a master practitioner.
Student Reviews
Register Today With Our Special Discounted Offer
Register today and you’ll save a total of $2,500 from our normal course fees.
Launch Your Lab+
Permaculture Bundle
$6,250
Now $3,750
Bundle Includes:
- $1,250 OFF Foundation Courses
Normally $5,000 - FREE BONUS Certified Lab-Tech Program
Normally $1,000 - FREE BONUS Introduction to Permaculture
Normally $250
Money-Back Guarantee
You’ll get a 30-day, no questions asked, money-back guarantee on the total price paid ($3,750). The only condition is that you have watched 30 lectures or less of the Foundation Courses.
Meet Your Instructors
Dr. Elaine Ingham
Founder of the Soil Food Web School
Dr. Ingham discovered the soil food web nearly 4 decades ago and has been pioneering research ever since. Widely recognized as the world’s foremost soil biologist, she’s passionate about empowering ordinary people to bring the soils in their community back to life.
Dr. Elaine’s™ Soil Food Web Approach has been used to successfully restore the ecological functions of soils on six continents. Soil Food Web School courses are designed for people with no relevant experience – making them accessible to individuals who wish to retrain and begin a meaningful career as Soil Consultants.
Graham Bell
Internationally Respected Teacher, Author, and Lecturer in Permaculture
Graham Bell is Chair of Permaculture Scotland, Chair of Permaculture Association Britain Education Working Group, and the longest-serving Permaculture Teacher in the UK with thirty-one years’ experience teaching on six continents. He is the author of The Permaculture Way and The Permaculture Garden. He is a registered Certified Teacher with PAB and Permaculture Institute of Australia. He is the first holder of the Elders Award in the UK and Honorary Elder in Australia.
Graham was the first person in Britain to be awarded the Diploma in Permaculture by Bill Mollison personally in 1990. His home in the Scottish Borders with his wife Nancy boasts the longest-standing intentional food forest garden in Britain. Over a thousand visitors a year (in previous times) attest to the amazing productivity of this space.
Program FAQs
FOUNDATION COURSES
Are all the courses online?
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.
Are the courses self-paced?
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.
When can I start?
You can start as soon as you sign up.
What will I learn?
- 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 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.
How many lectures are in the Foundation Courses?
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.
How much do they cost?
The regular price is $5,000 for the 4 Foundation Courses and $1,000 for the Certified Lab-Tech Program.
How long will it take me to complete them?
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.
Do I need any qualifications to start the courses?
The courses are designed for people with no background in the field. Basic chemistry and/or biology is an advantage.
Will this course enable me to find employment as a Soil Food Web Consultant?
Students wishing to pursue a career as a Soil Food Web Consultant will need to progress from the FC to the Consultant Training Program. By completing the Certified Lab-Tech Program, you will be eligible to perform Soil Food Web assessments for farmers in your area.
What do graduates do when they have completed their training?
Some become consultants and help farmers to transition away from using chemicals, to using biology instead. Others focus on producing great compost, which they then can sell to soil consultants or direct to farmers.
Find out more by watching the video on this page here.
CERTIFIED LAB-TECH PROGRAM
What kind of equipment will I need to buy in order to take the CLP and run a lab? How much will it cost?
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.
How much money can I expect to earn?
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-Tech’s that have been successful.
How much time do I get to complete the CLP?
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.
What if I fail the assessment?
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.
Where will I be featured on the website?
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.
Can I charge whatever price I want for assessments?
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.
Will you recommend me to farmers?
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.
How can I find or attract new clients?
We will provide you with information on how to do that and some tips from other Certified Lab-Techs who have been successful.
You will be listed on this page where farmers in your region can find you and contact you directly.
What if I have never used a microscope before?
That’s not a problem. This program is designed for beginners.
INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE COURSE
What kind of equipment will I need to buy in order to take the CLP and run a lab? How much will it cost?
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.
How much money can I expect to earn?
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-Tech’s that have been successful.
How much time do I get to complete the CLP?
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.
What if I fail the assessment?
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.
Where will I be featured on the website?
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.
Can I charge whatever price I want for assessments?
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.
Will you recommend me to farmers?
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.
How can I find or attract new clients?
We will provide you with information on how to do that and some tips from other Certified Lab-Techs who have been successful.
You will be listed on this page where farmers in your region can find you and contact you directly.
What if I have never used a microscope before?
That’s not a problem. This program is designed for beginners.
”Nick Is Experiencing High Demand & Has a Client Waitlist
Nick Tomassini, Founder of Humankind OregonCertified Soil Food Web Consultant
"A lot of clients come to me from the Soil Food Web Website....What I love most about having these skills... is implementing them with farmers and seeing their reaction to the results."
Dr. Elaine’s™ Approach Is Accessible To Anyone
Here’s how to get started…
Sign Up & Start Watching the Video Lectures
Download Lecture Slides & Written Materials
Make your own notes to ensure that you really learn this material well. Put all this together and you have a permanent record to refer back to.
Test Your Knowledge with Lesson Quizzes
You’ll get plenty of time and you are allowed to refer back to your notes and to the lecture slides too.