Evento

Farming 101 - Soil Health and Fertility with Dennis Dierks

Soil Health and Fertility with Dennis Dierks of Paradise Valley Produce

This class will cover the basics of soil health and fertility. Dennis will teach nutrient cycles on the farm, soil amendments, soil-feeding techniques, as well as best practices for cultivation, tilling, and cover cropping. Dennis will also talk about how to make various brews that contribute to a well-balanced compost tea, such as mycorrhizal and lactose. Dennis will share all of his techniques that contribute to his ability to make compost with materials from within a 5-mile radius of Paradise Valley Produce. Please come with questions for Dennis specific to your own farm or garden needs.

Dennis Dierks and his wife Sandy have been farming organically since 1972 on their 15 - acre Bolinas property. Dennis' soil practices are highly praised, as is the produce that benefits from his careful stewardship of the soil. He believes that organic farming is all about the relationship to soil, how it is maintained, and the importance of living organisms to the health of the environment that we all share. Paradise Valley Produce has also helped to increase the returning salmon population to the Lagunitas Creek, which runs through the farm, thanks to water conservation and sustainable soil management techniques. Dennis is a local pioneer of organic and sustainable agriculture, and has much to teach newer farmers.