Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems

Compost Bootcamp: Biostimulant Strategies for Regenerative Ag

Thursday, June 6, 2019
Paicines Ranch, 13388 Airline Hwy, Paicines, CA 95043
$195-$250

A Hands-on Intensive with Gerry Gillespie & Christine Jones at Paicines Ranch

Two dates offered: June 6 or June 7, 2019

The Paicines Ranch Learning Center is offering this one-day workshop focused on how to make and apply beneficial life-supporting seed and soil inoculants in place of high analysis fertilizers and seed dressings. Topics include quorum sensing, replacing nitrogen fertilizers, transitioning to a microbial approach, and the application of auto-inducers to seeds to enable a reduction of inputs and costs in order to regenerate soils.

Register.(opens in new window)

Presenters (more info below):

Dr. Christine Jones, Soil Ecologist
Gerry Gillespie, Zero Waste Expert

Dates:

This is a one-day workshop being offered on two separate dates:

Thursday, June 6 | 9:00am - 5:00pm or
Friday, June 7 | 9:00am - 5:00pm

Learning Goals

Bioferments, Biostimulants, Biofertilizers, and Compost inoculants are simple biotechnologies that can be made on the farm to help improve soil condition, stimulate plant growth and improve plant health. We will explore basic recipes for making this on-farm in an interactive, first-hand experience with a small group of participants in order to develop the skills and confidence to make and use your own products, with local inputs and little to no add-on costs. Equipment used for making and applying biostimulants will be available for viewing and explanation.

“Pre-work” for Workshop

Participants are encouraged to do work before attending the class by making a lactobacillus inoculant and bringing their examples (the good, the bad, and the ugly) for a more interactive learning outcome from the intensive. As we all know, we usually learn the most from our mistakes! Gerry is happy to assist participants via e-mail both before and after the workshop.

Registration & Cost

This workshop is limited to 45 participants each day. Cost for the one-day workshop is $250 per person and includes lunch. A limited number of EARLY BIRD TICKETS are available while supplies last.

A limited number of registration stipends are available for farmers, ranchers and students based on financial ability to pay. See the stipend Application.(opens in new window)

Workshop Location

The workshop will be held at Paicines Ranch(opens in new window), a regenerative ranch located two hours south of San Francisco in San Benito County. The address is: Paicines Ranch, 13388 Airline Hwy, Paicines, CA 95043

Lodging Options

The workshop registration does not include lodging. If you wish to stay overnight at Paicines Ranch, please visit their Airbnb(opens in new window) page or contact Mary Rowen, Event Center Manager, at (831) 628-0288 x24 or mary@paicinesranch.com(opens in new window). Camping/RV space is available too. 

Alternative local lodging options are also available. Please contact any of the below for more information:

Ridgemark(opens in new window) - 10 miles from Ranch - (831) 637-8151
Best Western(opens in new window) - located in Hollister, 15 miles from Ranch - (831) 637-9248
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott(opens in new window) - located in Hollister, 15 miles from Ranch - (831) 634-1101

Questions?

Contact Megan at megan@paicinesranch.com

Register.(opens in new window)

About the Presenters

Christine Jones
Christine’s teaching style is interactive, dynamic, and draws from a truly amazing depth of understanding of soil ecology. She has a unique ability to make complex systems easily understandable and relevant and has been one of the most powerful influences on the success of our management practices here at Paicines Ranch. So much so, that this is her fourth workshop with us and she always ‘packs the house’ with an equally amazing crowd. Learn more.(opens in new window)

Gerry Gillespie
Gerry has been involved in the recovery of organic materials and their reuse in agricultural soils for the past 30 years both in Australia and overseas. Following a leadership role in the No Waste by 2010 strategy for the ACT Government, Gerry became the founding Manager of the Zero Waste Trust in New Zealand, and a public speaker in many international programs and events on Resource Recovery, including work in the UK, France, USA, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Learn more.(opens in new window)