Come learn about beneficial soil organisms!

Farming with Soil Life Workshop

Join us to learn about beneficial soil organisms!

This workshop, hosted by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) in partnership with the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, will highlight the importance of beneficial soil-dwelling organisms that contribute to maintaining healthy and productive soils on working lands, the function they perform, and guidelines for optimizing land management practices to support diverse soil fauna.

DATE: Friday, November 13, 2026

TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: University of Georgia Griffin Campus Research and Education Garden Building, 129 Ellis Road, Griffin, GA 30223

COST: $30 per person registration fee. Space is limited so register early! Deadliine to register is Tuesday, November 10 by 12:00 Noon!

Participants will receive the Xerces Society’s Farming with Soil Life, A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms and other relevant m,aterials.

Coffee, light refreshments, and lunch will be provided. If you prefer to bring a bag lunch, you are welcome to do so. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions when asked.

Please Note: This workshop includes classroom activities and outdoor field demonstrations. Please plan accordingly.

CREDITS:

• Master Gardener Advanced Training credits – 6 AT
• Category 10 and 24 pesticide CEUs have been applied for

AGENDA:

• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Check-in
• 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. – Welcome and Overview
• 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. – Basics of Soil Health & Introduction to Soil Fauna – Kelly Gill, Xerces
• 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Soil Invertebrate Profiles – Victoria Hull, UGA Extension Spalding County
• 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Break
• 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. – Insect Observation Activity – Dr. Bodie Pennisi, UGA Horticulture, and Dr. Bethany Harris, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
• 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Introduction to Scouting and Monitoring – Kelly Gill, Xerces
• 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
• 12:40 – 2:00 p.m. – Scouting Activity and Field Demo
• 2:10 – 2:40 p.m. – Overview of Management Practices and NRCS Conservation Programs
• 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. – Q&A/Open Discusion
• 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Conclusion and Evaluations

University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If you need reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact the Center for Urban Agriculture at 770.228.7214 or bhorne@uga.edu, at least three weeks prior to the program date.