Soil School

Calling all gardeners– from aspiring to advanced–to Soil School 2025! 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, including breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available, see details and registration link below.

Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 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.

Agenda for Soil School 2025

Doors open 8:30 am: Check-in and breakfast.
Please have your registration confirmation ready at check-in. There will be no on-site registrations.

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

Breakout Session 1

• Soil Science 101, with James Cassidy, Oregon State University
• Lawn Be Gone! with Susan Albright and Lisa Barnhart, Washington County Master Gardeners

Breakout Session 2

• Demystifying Soil Tests with Nathan E Stacey OSU Extension Small Farms
• Mushrooms & Your Garden, Catherine Creech, Mt Hood Community College

Breakout Session 3

• Rooted Wisdom: Indigenous Knowledge and Living Soils with Hailey Maria Salazar, Portland State University
• Mulch Matters: Bark and other Soil Amendments with Signe Danler, OSU Extension

Breakout Session 4: Outdoors Session

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