From the Ground Up: Soil Health Basics for Urban Growers Part 1

In Part 1 (May 7, 2025), we’ll dive into the basics of what makes up soil health and soil testing— helping you understand what’s happening beneath your feet. We'll cover the fundamentals of soil health, focusing on essential components like soil structure, organic matter, and more. You'll also leave knowing how to properly test your soil and interpret results to make informed decisions about your soil’s health.

In Part 2 (May 14, 2025),  we’ll build on this foundation by exploring practical soil amendment strategies, conservation practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, and how to apply these techniques in your garden or farm. You will want to register for this separately HERE

Both webinars will feature interactive Q&A sessions, providing the perfect opportunity to get your soil-related questions answered by experts. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced grower looking to deepen your understanding of soil health, this series is for you! Speaker: Dr. Nicole Tautges is Research Director at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Dr. Tautges completed her Bachelors degree in Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin Madison and earned her PhD at Washington State University, completing a project on soil fertility, weed, and soil microbial management in semiarid organic wheat production systems. She went on to work on Kernza research at the University of Minnesota, and worked at the University of California Davis on soil microbial ecology and soil health outreach in processing tomato systems. At MFAI, her research focuses on soil fertility and nutrient cycling in food grade grain systems, where she works mostly with rye, wheat, Kernza, oats, and buckwheat.

About MKE Urban Ag Network (MUAN)

The MKE Urban Ag Network (MUAN) is a project led by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute that connects Milwaukee-area and other urban growers to sustainable agriculture and agricultural conservation education, community networking, and resource sharing.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, the Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. We believe agriculture can sustain both human and ecosystem health, while advancing food security, independence, and justice. Find more information at michaelfields.org. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events.

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