Location: RhizoPhyllia Kitchen Gardens, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7ED Sample itinerary (times may change slightly): 9:15am Welcome and orientation over coffee/tea. 9:30am Soil food web microorganisms – why do we need to know? An introduction to the roles of soil food web microorganisms – discussion with powerpoint the microbial evolution (invention!) of plants a summary of vital microbial contributions to plant growth and health. 10:00am Recognising soil food web functional groups. A comprehensive session of ppt slides and videos in the studio to explain what you will be looking for. bacteria fungi protozoans nematodes microarthropods diatoms other signs and debris 11:00am Taking representative samples. A chance to stretch your legs in the garden and Compost Station (take a cuppa with you) and exercise your judgement on obtaining quality samples for analysis. 11:45am Setting up for a closer look. An introduction to brightfield biological microscopy – equipment required and how to use it including Kohler illumination and ‘shadowing’. preparation of samples studying a variety of soil and compost samples under the microscopes. 12:45pm Lunch. entirely plant based working lunch and prepared either by Foodie Festival’s Chris Bailey (The Vicar of Hell’s Kitchen), or The Courtney Smith Kitchen – stupendously, ridiculously delicious and filling. 1:45pm A closer look continued. Including extracts, infusions, and novel samples. 3:00pm The Numbers Game. Making a reliable estimate of the microbial numbers and diversity of your preferred samples (observational and empirical assessments) and touching on… Readings and fields of view Dilutions The count Results 5:00pm Final thoughts and questions Don’t forget, we’ll be at the end of a Zoom call or phone if you need us in the weeks and months that follow to help with confirming identifications until you don’t need us anymore ☹!

RhizoPhyllia Soil Food Web Microscopy Workshop

About this workshop

This workshop is for growers of any scale who are considering purchasing a microscope to undertake their own microbial investigations.

Gain an understanding of all essential parts of the Soil Food Web, including the different roles of microorganisms, and how to recognise the functional groups. Have a go at brightfield biological microscopy and learn to reliably estimate microbial numbers and diversity and assess your preferred sample.

What you’ll learn

An introduction to the roles of Soil Food Web microorganisms:

Brightfield biological microscopy: equipment, Kohler illumination, shadowing and selecting and preparing samples

To recognise the Soil Food Web functional groups, including:

Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoans
Diatoms
Nematodes
Microarthropods
Other signs, debris, and symptoms

To reliably estimate microbial numbers and diversity, and assess your preferred sample

Lunch

Our delicious lunches are entirely plant-based, and prepared by our Vegan-Natural Chef, Courtney. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.

Teas, coffee, and soft drinks are available as required throughout the day.

Prices

Full-day workshop, including lunch: £300pp

The details

Location: RhizoPhyllia Kitchen Gardens, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7ED Sample itinerary (times may change slightly):
9:15am	Welcome and orientation over coffee/tea.
9:30am	Soil food web microorganisms – why do we need to know? An introduction to the roles of soil food web microorganisms – discussion with powerpoint the microbial evolution (invention!) of plants a summary of vital microbial contributions to plant growth and health.
10:00am	Recognising soil food web functional groups. A comprehensive session of ppt slides and videos in the studio to explain what you will be looking for. bacteria fungi protozoans nematodes microarthropods diatoms other signs and debris
11:00am	Taking representative samples. A chance to stretch your legs in the garden and Compost Station (take a cuppa with you) and exercise your judgement on obtaining quality samples for analysis.
11:45am	Setting up for a closer look. An introduction to brightfield biological microscopy – equipment required and how to use it including Kohler illumination and ‘shadowing’. preparation of samples studying a variety of soil and compost samples under the microscopes.
12:45pm	Lunch. entirely plant based working lunch and prepared either by Foodie Festival’s Chris Bailey (The Vicar of Hell’s Kitchen), or The Courtney Smith Kitchen – stupendously, ridiculously delicious and filling.
1:45pm	A closer look continued. Including extracts, infusions, and novel samples.
3:00pm	The Numbers Game. Making a reliable estimate of the microbial numbers and diversity of your preferred samples (observational and empirical assessments) and touching on… Readings and fields of view Dilutions The count Results
5:00pm	Final thoughts and questions Don’t forget, we’ll be at the end of a Zoom call or phone if you need us in the weeks and months that follow to help with confirming identifications until you don’t need us anymore ☹!

Booking your space

To ensure you receive one-to-one attention and support, we restrict the participant numbers to a maximum of 8. This course will only run with a minimum of 3 participants.

Please select the workshop date from the options below

Our Three-Workshop Package and Certification

If you wish to complete our Soil Food Web Gardening and Growing Workshop, Soil Food Web Microscopy Workshop, and Soil Food Web Composting Workshop, we offer a package price and a certificate.

GET ON TOUCH for more details.

If you have any questions, please check out our FAQs or GET IN TOUCH.

“What I encountered (on the microscopy workshop) was an extraordinary human being, who had great passion, empathy, tremendous knowledge, and the most wonderful generosity of self. He filled in all the missing links and more. I learnt so much in that one day it enabled me to start using my microscope in a competent and confident way.”

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