Fundamentals of Soil Health

Join us at the Black Butterfly Teaching Farm for a workshop all about soil health! Healthy soils play a critical role in the success of any farm or garden, cycling nutrients through the ecosystem, increasing water infiltration, and reducing erosion, runoff, and sedimentation.

This workshop will cover fundamental soil health principles, with a focus on soil health as it relates to your growing operation. You will learn practical ways to incorporate soil health practices into the management of your vegetable garden or urban farm, and then get a chance to dig (literally) further into the topic with a hands-on training with the Maryland Soil Health Card, a soil health assessment tool. Come ready to roll up your sleeves!

About the Speaker

At the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Nick Miller works with department staff and partner organizations to provide program assistance, training, and technical support to further soil health practice adoption throughout the state as MDA's Healthy Soils Program Specialist. As part of this role, Nick administers the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund, a farmer-led grant program which provides funding for innovative soil health practices, projects, and research in Maryland. Prior to his work with MDA, Nick spent over a decade in farm management as well as agricultural production and education, and was a founding partner of Good Dog Farm in Baltimore County. Nick holds a Master of Science in Agronomy with an concentration in Agroecology from the University of Florida.

Because this event is outdoors, we suggest that you wear close-toed shoes, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. Be sure to bring a water bottle! There will be extra water, masks, hand sanitizer, sunscreen & bug spray on site.

Parking Information: street parking available in the neighborhood

Restrooms: there is no restroom onsite

Other Notes: paths are grass, and woodchips there is limited shade and seating on site, bring a chair if you need one!

Cancellation Policy: In the event that we need to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances attendees will receive an email notification.

Questions? Please contact programs@farmalliancebaltimore.org