Soil School

About Soil School

Soil School is a day-long workshop that includes multiple sessions on a wide variety of topics – all having to do with soil. Soil School is a great event for beginning, intermediate, and advanced home gardeners and curious farmers. Soil School is presented by West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District.

Past event sessions

On this page:

    Upcoming Soil School Event

    Soil School save the date. Has illustrated logo and date April 5 2025 at PCC Rock Creek

    Save the date for Soil School 2025. The event will take place on April 5, 2025 at PCC Rock Creek, from 8:30am-3pm. Registration opens in February 2025. Sign up for our email newsletter in website footer to be the first to know when registration opens.

    Latest Soil School Event

    Banner that says Soil School with event details (all in post as well)

    Soil School 2024

    Calling all gardeners– from aspiring to advanced–to Soil School 2024! The event offers 8 sessions taught by experts to learn about how improving soil health improves plant, garden, and habitat health. $35 covers the whole day, plus breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available, see details and registration link below.

    Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    All sessions are in-person
    Portland Community College Rock Creek Event Center
    17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland, OR 97229

    Email eleanor@wmswcd.org to request translation or accessibility services.

    Registration Closed

    Agenda for Soil School 2024

    Opening Session: It’s ALL about SOIL! with James Cassidy, Oregon State University

    Breakout Session 1

    • Four Principles of Soil Health, Theresa Brehm, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
    • Mosses and Mycelium for Pollinators, Pollution, and More! Keiran Sikdar, WEST Consultants, Inc.

    Breakout Session 2

    • Gardening to Support Pollinators Year-Round, Matthew Shephard, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
    • Mushrooms & Your Garden, Catherine Creech, Mt Hood Community College

    Breakout Session 3

    • Simple Practices for Managing Stormwater, Rachel Dvorsky, Stormwater Stars
    • Integrated Pest Management for Common Garden Pests, Thomas Jima, Oregon State University

    Breakout Session 4: Outdoors Session

    • From Gravel to Garden Tour: Washington County Master Gardeners
    • Soil Trailer Demonstration: Theresa Brehm, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

    check out the soil school agenda and register for your spot!

    Staff contact

    Eleanor Greene

    (she/her)

    Outreach & Communications Coordinator

    Contact me about:

    Publications, events, media, and the website
    503-238-4775
    114
    971-265-9866