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Matthew Slaughter in Uganda

Our long-time customer and soil health partner, Matthew Slaughter of Earthfort Lab, has recently teamed up with Michael Neuman at Partners in Progress.

Partners in Progress is a non-profit organization responsible for providing Earthfort's Field Lab Kit as well as training for the farmers in Uganda and Haiti. The Field Lab Kit includes microBIOMETER®'s microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio data in addition to a moisture analysis and EC and pH readings. The photos here show Matthew working with farmers in Uganda.

Matthew's next adventure will include connecting with Farmer Co-Ops in Kenya where he will introduce soil testing as well as other agroecology practices. This educational program is based on a Farmer-to-Farmer training method, whereas Matthew's role is, and has always been, to teach the first group, then let them go for it and share their knowledge with others.

More information about this approach can be found on the Partners in Progress website. Everything they do is community based and always at the request of the participants as a grassroots, bottom-up, approach.

"I, for one, am very excited about the program and getting these tools into the hands of farmers who truly need it." - Matthew Slaughter
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Soil Tech Room at NOFA/Mass

On the Road Again!

Last weekend, our soil scientist, Marisa, attended the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference in Worcester, Massachusetts. The conference featured informational workshops and presentations from educators and farmers across the Northeast.

Two interesting presentations included Lana Mustafa of Montclair Community Farms and Dr. Ruiz of Healing By Growing Farms. Ms. Mustafa spoke about the work the farm does for small-time farmers and marginalized youth. And Dr. Ruiz shared her perspective and intent behind creating an inclusive and accessible healing trauma-based farm.

Throughout the conference, NOFA highlighted the use of microscopy, Korean Natural Farming techniques, and the microBIOMETER® in farming practices. They provided a dedicated Soil Tech Room where attendees were welcome to bring their own soil for testing with the microBIOMETER®. They were then visually able to see the microbial life in their soil with a microscope while receiving a detailed explanation of their results.

The conference ended with keynote speaker, Ira Wallace, who shared her experience in the work she does with various co-ops including the amazing Acorn Community Farm and the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Next up the Organic Cultivators Conference in Sturbridge, MA February 17-19. Hope to see you there!
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January 28th is National Seed Swap Day!

On National Seed Swap Day, we reinvigorate our love for gardening by swapping seeds with our neighbors. It is a great day to remember that nature is our ultimate currency. The food we eat represents the lives we live. And when communities come together to exchange this valuable gift, we reaffirm our promises of mutual belonging and self-sustenance.

There are many local events celebrating seed swap day. These events feature the opportunity to learn about permaculture, organic gardening, winter sowing, germination, indoor starts, flower farming, vegetable & herb gardening and more. Check your local area for a Seed Swap event near you!

National Seed Swap Day was established by “Washington Gardener Magazine” editor, Kathy Jentz, who organized the first seed-swapping event in Washington, D.C., on January 26, 2006. The success of the event inspired other states to join and, in the following weeks, the final Saturday of January was officially declared as National Seed Swap Day.

Source: National Seed Swap Day
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Heart & Soil interview with Dr. James White

A great interview with Dr. James White on Heart & Soil TV.

What do you need to know about the way your plants are nourished?
Bacteria… good or bad?
Discover the wonder and simplicity of rhizophagy and how it deepens our understanding of a plant's relationship with bacteria and “absorbing” nutrients.

This soil science will change the way you look at plant health and vitality.

Watch here!
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