For many decades soil science focused on the physical and chemical properties. Join Robert Schindelbeck, Director of the Soil Health Lab at Cornell and the Champaign County Master Gardeners as he discusses the importance of the web of life that inhabits healthy soil. This program will be presented online, April 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. Get tips on how stop treating your soil like dirt and start growing healthier plants.

In this presentation you will learn:

• To better understand the soil food web in order to manage our soils

• How the great variety of soil organisms live and die to shape the environment.

• Compost dynamics - how various types of organic matter influence nitrogen so that your healthy plants thrive in healthy soil.

Robert Schindelbeck is an Extension Associate in the Department of Crop and Soil Science with responsibilities in research, teaching and extension. Bob coordinates the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory operations and development.

This program will be presented online only. This program is organized by the Champaign County Master Gardeners and University of Illinois Extension. He has produced numerous peer reviewed and extension articles and has delivered over 200 presentations related to tillage, soil compaction and soil quality at farmer twilight meetings and professional conferences.

For reasonable accommodations to participate, please contact rcpankau@illinois.edu. This presentation will be recorded and, once edited and close captioned, made available at https://www.youtube.com/@UIExtensionUnit13.