No-Turn Composting Workshop
No Turn Composting Workshop
Location: Farm location given upon registration
Date: Saturday August 29th
Time: 9am - 12 noon
Cost: $50 - $75 - $100 sliding scale
Workshop Instructors : Kerrie O'Donnell and Maria Loper
Discover how healthy soil is built from the ground up in this hands-on composting workshop. We'll begin with an introduction to nutrient cycling and the soil food web, exploring the microorganisms that transform organic matter into fertile, biologically active soil. We'll compare different composting methods before working together to build a SPICE (Static Pile Inoculated Compost Extension) pile—a simple, no-turn composting system that uses beneficial microorganisms to drive a fermentative decomposition process without the need for regular turning.
The workshop concludes with a live microscope session, where you'll observe the biology of soils and composts in real time. Together, we'll compare samples of varying quality, learn to recognize key microorganisms, and discuss what they reveal about compost maturity, soil health, and biological function. Participants will leave with the knowledge and confidence to build their own SPICE compost and better understand what makes a living, healthy soil.
Maria Loper is the founder of Forest Aged, a soil health consulting business dedicated to helping people work in partnership with natural systems. Her work focuses on biological soil systems, compost, water cycle restoration, and designing landscapes that improve ecological function and resilience. She has trained in permaculture, soil biology, mycology, and water cycle restoration. Through Forest Aged, Maria works with farmers, gardeners, ranchers, landowners, and restoration practitioners to implement regenerative land management practices. She is passionate about helping people observe, understand, and collaborate with the living systems that sustain healthy landscapes.
Kerrie O’Donnell, PhD, is a conservation scientist who bridges technical expertise with a deep-rooted passion for working with Earth’s cycles to build community resilience. Drawing on over two decades of research experience and training in permaculture and water cycle restoration, she focuses on designing and implementing water-secure landscapes resilient to drought, fire, and flood. On her Salt Spring homestead, she partners with water and soil systems to cultivate an abundance of food with as little effort as possible.
Comments