Soil Health + Agroforestry Field Day at Victory Garden
Mon, Sep 14
|Victory Garden Initiative
Dig into healthy soil at this hands-on field day featuring practical guidance on cover crops, soil testing, agroforestry, and accessible soil health strategies for urban growers.
Time & Location
Sep 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Victory Garden Initiative, 249 E Concordia Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
About the event
Join the Milwaukee Urban Agriculture Network (MUAN), Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), UW Extension, and Victory Garden Initiative (VGI) for a hands-on field day all about building and maintaining healthy soil.
Sessions will cover practical strategies for improving soil health, including cover crops, soil sampling, interpreting soil test results, and agroforestry.
We'll will learn how to collect soil samples, where to send them for analysis, and how to read soil test results and make informed decisions about soil amendments and management based on those findings.
Hosted at Victory Garden Initiative’s Urban Farm, the field day will also highlight agroforestry installations in an urban growing environment and explore how perennial plants, trees, and other soil-building practices can contribute to healthier soils, stronger food systems, and more resilient communities.
“Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving gardens, resilient food systems, and stronger communities. By learning how to care for the soil and build it up, we invest not only in the soil but also in the future of our land and our food.” -Dr. Esther Durairaj, MFAI Education Director and presenter
What to Expect
10:00–10:30 a.m.
Introductions
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Cover Crops with Dr. Esther Durairaj, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and LaDonna Green, Victory Garden Initiative
11:05–11:35 a.m.
Soil Sampling & Reading Your Results with Christine Johnson and Dr. Esther Durairaj, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
11:40 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
Agroforestry Basics with Nolan Burkard, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and Mason Spurry, UW Extension
12:15–1:00 p.m.
Lunch and networking
Presenters
Dr. Esther Durairaj, Education Director and Research Agronomist, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
LaDonna Green, Farm Manager, Victory Garden Initiative
Christine Johnson, Farmer Education Coordinator, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Nolan Burkard, Research Technician, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Mason Spurry, UW Extension
Please bring a chair, a bottle of water, and sun protection. Bug spray will be provided. This event is free, but registration is required so we can plan for lunch.
Sponsors
We are grateful to USDA-SHARE and the Herb Kohl Foundation for making this event possible.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Esther Durairaj at eshekinah@michaelfields.org.
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