{"id":3125,"date":"2016-12-13T12:12:51","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T12:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.green-mantle.com\/?p=3125"},"modified":"2018-01-05T12:15:07","modified_gmt":"2018-01-05T12:15:07","slug":"soilbiolab-course-at-rushall-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/soilbiolab-course-at-rushall-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"SoilBioLab course at Rushall Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Richard and Joanne went along to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.organicresearchcentre.com\/?i=events.php&amp;event_id=371\">the one day course<\/a> run by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.soilbiolab.co.uk\/\">SoilBioLab<\/a> at Rushall Farm late last year. Simon, Andrea and Jen from the SoilBioLab team taught us how to take soil samples and qualitatively grade soils and\u00a0 compost &amp; compost tea.<\/p>\n<p>Their approach to qualifying the results is quicker and (in our humble opinion) more applicable to fieldwork than the full Soil Food Web Elaine Ingham method. You can use a cheaper biological microscope, closer to the student microscope end of the scale, rather than the more sophisticated microscope recommended by Elaine Ingham in her video training courses.<\/p>\n<p>We found it a really useful day. In theory we &#8220;knew&#8221; a lot of this stuff, but there is nothing more useful than spending the day with people who really know their stuff, which the SoilBioLab team most certainly do, and being able to ask dumb questions, which they were unfailingly able to answer.<\/p>\n<p>Soil Biolab also offer more detailed quantitative tests if you send them soil samples by post &#8211; they suggest a combination of doing your own analysis along with getting them to do more in depth tests from time to time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3127\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3127\" style=\"width: 353px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3127\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed-353x550.jpg?resize=353%2C550\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed.jpg?resize=353%2C550&amp;ssl=1 353w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C1196&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed.jpg?resize=658%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 658w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135020_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 85vw, 353px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3127\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Simon taking samples near tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3128\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3128\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135042_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3128\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135042_ed-550x407.jpg?resize=550%2C407\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135042_ed.jpg?resize=550%2C407&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135042_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C569&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135042_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3128\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Freshly taken sample showing layers in soil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3129\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3129\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135049_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3129\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135049_ed-550x440.jpg?resize=550%2C440\" alt=\"Simon demonstrating sampling in grassland\" width=\"550\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135049_ed.jpg?resize=550%2C440&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135049_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C615&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135049_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3129\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Simon demonstrating sampling in grassland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3130\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3130\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135052_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3130\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135052_ed-550x313.jpg?resize=550%2C313\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135052_ed.jpg?resize=550%2C313&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135052_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C437&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135052_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">sample showing clover root<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3131\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3131\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135056_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3131\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135056_ed-550x344.jpg?resize=550%2C344\" alt=\"Andrea explaining soil micro-organisms, and how to identify them\" width=\"550\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135056_ed.jpg?resize=550%2C344&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135056_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C480&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135056_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3131\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Andrea explaining soil micro-organisms, and how to identify them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3132\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3132\" style=\"width: 550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135057_ed.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3132 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135057_ed-550x413.jpg?resize=550%2C413\" alt=\"SoilBioLab team member Jen was extremely helpful in explaining how to use a microscope &amp; identify soil micro-organisms.\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135057_ed.jpg?resize=550%2C413&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135057_ed.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/PC135057_ed.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3132\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SoilBioLab team member Jen was extremely helpful in explaining how to use a microscope &amp; identify soil micro-organisms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Richard and Joanne went along to the one day course run by SoilBioLab at Rushall Farm late last year. Simon, Andrea and Jen from the SoilBioLab team taught us how to take soil samples and qualitatively grade soils and\u00a0 compost &amp; compost tea. Their approach to qualifying the results is quicker and (in our humble &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/soilbiolab-course-at-rushall-farm\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;SoilBioLab course at Rushall Farm&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[275],"tags":[351,352],"class_list":["post-3125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-greenmantle","tag-soilbiolab","tag-training"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5aOO7-Op","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3125"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3133,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3125\/revisions\/3133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.richardmudhar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}