Master the Science of Soil Regeneration

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 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 is $5,000 for the 4 Foundation Courses and $1,000 for the Certified Lab-Tech Program.

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.

The courses are designed for people with no background in the field. Basic chemistry and/or biology is an advantage.

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.

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.

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-Tech’s 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.

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.

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

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-Tech’s 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.

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.

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