Take a deep dive into the microbial world of the Soil Food Web with Lanny Ellis. Learn about the beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and other soil organisms that keep your plants healthy and thriving. Understand who they are, what they do, why they are there, and how we can foster MORE beneficial organisms in our soil. Healthy ecosystems and people start with healthy soil, and it all starts from the ground up!
This lesson entails an educational primer to introduce the basics of soil biology and the Soil Food Web, as well as a live soil microscopy demonstration using living soil to showcase the organisms present in healthy vibrant soil. Bring in your own compost and soil samples to get an immediate qualitative assessment using direct observation microscopy!
We'll finish our class with a wonderful farm-to-table lunch provided by Chef Russell!
Lanny Ellis is a gardener and a soil scientist that is never done learning. Lanny moved to Colorado in 2013 after graduating from University of Texas in Arlington with a bachelors in Anthropology. He then began his journey into Permaculture with the Permaculture Design Course at CRMPI in Basalt, CO and the Colorado Master Gardener Program in 2016. He is also a certified Colorado Native Plant Master.
Lanny started practicing garden management at the Salvation Army in Avon, Colorado where he also formed a small non-profit organization called New Roots CO with like-minded volunteers. New Roots CO was approached by Colorado Mountain College in 2020 to take over management of their community garden located on campus. Since then, Lanny has taken the reins as community garden manager, and has led several educational workshops, volunteer work days, and lectures within the community garden.
In 2021, Lanny completed the Soil Food Web School's certified laboratory technician program so that he could better analyze soil samples and dive into the world of microbiology. Today he uses these skills to conduct live microscopy soil tests for clients across Colorado, and to formulate action plans to convert dirt back into soil.
