Dig In! Join Our Free Workshop to Cultivate Healthier Soil
Are you passionate about gardening, farming, or simply making our local environment more sustainable? Healthy soil is the foundation of it all! We invite you to a free, hands-on Soil Health Workshop, organized by the University of Utah and the Utah State University Extension, designed to equip you with practical knowledge and techniques.
Workshop Format: The workshop will begin with approximately one hour of informative presentation, followed by engaging hands-on activities where we’ll put theory into practice together.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, May 3rd 2025
- Time:
- Workshop: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Cleanup & Break: Approx. 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (We’ll tidy up together after the hands-on session)
- Community Potluck: Starting around 6:00 PM (following the cleanup break)
- Location: Bluff campus
- Google plus code: 7FP2+H3F Bluff, Utah
- Cost: Absolutely FREE!
- Potluck Details: Let’s continue the community connection after the workshop and cleanup! Everyone is welcome to join us for a potluck dinner starting around 6 PM. Please bring a dish to share, and let’s enjoy a meal together.
What You’ll Discover:
This workshop will cover essential topics for anyone looking to boost soil vitality:
- Understanding Plant Needs: Dive into the world of plant nutrients. Learn what your plants crave, how these nutrients function, and their journey through the soil.
- Getting to Know Your Soil: Explore different soil textures and their unique properties. Understanding your soil type is the first step to managing it effectively.
- Smart Soil Management: Discuss various soil management techniques, including the pros and cons of tillage, the benefits of no-till methods, and how combining approaches can yield great results.
- The Power of Compost: Uncover the secrets of composting and how this nutrient-rich amendment can transform your soil’s health.
- Protective Layers: Learn practical ways to use mulching and straw to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and enrich the soil over time.
- Cardboard Magic: Discover the surprising benefits of cardboard layering as a simple yet effective technique for ground cover and soil improvement.
- Working with Living Soil: Learn how to incorporate soil rich with live earthworms, sourced from Blanding, into our campus environment.
Get Your Hands Dirty!
Following the initial presentation, you’ll participate in practical activities:
- Soil Comparison: Examine and compare soil samples from various locations to see firsthand how management practices impact soil health.
- Probe Practice: Learn the proper technique for using a soil probe to assess compaction and other soil conditions.
- Test Your Own Soil! Bring a sample from your own garden or land (in a jar), and we’ll help you analyze it during the workshop.
Who Is This Workshop For?
We warmly welcome:
- Members of the Bluff neighbor community, the Navajo Nation community.
- Gardeners, farmers, landowners, and anyone interested in practical soil improvement methods.
- Individuals passionate about local sustainability and environmental health.
Meet Your Instructors:
This workshop features expertise from:
- Reagan Wytsalucy: Assistant Professor, USU Extension
What to Bring & Wear:
- Clothing: Please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, as we will be working directly with soil.
- Shoes: We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes suitable for gardening activities.
- Hat: Consider bringing a hat for sun protection.
- Gloves (Optional): Bring gardening gloves if you prefer.
- Soil Sample (Optional): A clean jar containing a soil sample from your property.
A Note on Children’s Participation:
Children are welcome to join! However, please note that childcare is not provided. Attending parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their children and participating in the activities together throughout the workshop.
Registration:
To help us prepare for the workshop, please let us know you’re coming by filling out the registration form:
Stay Informed & Get Involved:
For direct questions, please contact Hiroko Yamamoto at hiroko@arch.utah.edu or call (801)557 7276.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn valuable skills, connect with fellow community members, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment right here in our region. Let’s work together to create a healthier soil surface! We look forward to seeing you there!
