Renowned soil expert Elaine Ingham to speak at WNC

From my mailbox to you. To grow your own really great food you need really great soil. Learn how with Dr. Elaine Ingham.

Dr. Elaine Ingham, a renowned soil expert, author and lecturer, will be the featured speaker at an organic farming workshop Saturday, March 14, at Western Nevada College Fallon campus. Dr. Ingham will discuss the basics of the soil food web she developed at the Sustainable Studies Institute in Corvallis, Ore., as well as eco-friendly methods for sustainable farming, landscaping and gardening.

Her presentation is part of a two-day workshop, "Organic Farming - Making the Transition," at WNC Fallon campus March 13-14. The workshop, offered through WNC's Specialty Crop Institute, will include sessions on organic production and a site visit to local organic farms.

Ingham is president and director of research at Sustainable Studies, Inc. and founder of Soil Foodweb, Inc., a biological testing and consulting laboratory with worldwide locations. She is respected internationally as a leader in soil microbiology and is an accomplished author and researcher. A passionate advocate of organic growing systems, Ingham has a dynamic, friendly lecture style that appeals to a broad cross section of audiences, including farmers, ranchers, nursery operators, landscaping experts and even the novice home gardener.

WNC's Specialty Crop Institute, in association with the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Nevada Organic Advisory Council, aims to teach alternative farming methods in the face of rising land and water prices. The institute is designed to benefit current and future small-scale farmers as well as students and professionals.

Cost: is $60 for the two-day workshop, or $50 for the Saturday lecture only. Lunch will be provided both days. Registrants receive a $10 discount if payment is made by March 10. To register, contact Ginny Dugan, Western Nevada College, 775-423-7565, ext. 2230, or visit WNC’s web site, www.wnc.edu/sci. For information regarding the Specialty Crop Institute and future workshops, contact Project Coordinator Ann Louhela at 775-351-2551.