Landcare Build Skills - Soil Management Practices

In this engaging online Landcare Builds Skills session, landcarers will delve into the fascinating world of soil microbes, gaining a foundational understanding of their roles in ecosystem health. The session will introduce key microbial groups and explore their living requirements, supplemented by live video streams showcasing these essential organisms in action.
Join our guest speakers, Ellen Walker and Mark Tupman, as they provide a brief discussion on soil structure and nutrient cycling to illuminate how plants access vital nutrients and how healthy soil supports this process. Additionally, landcarers will learn about Plant Soil Management (PSM) strategies for enhancing pest and disease resistance.
Our speakers will share practical recipes for creating and utilising beneficial microbial cultures, empowering landcarers to manage their farmscapes effectively and support robust microbial populations for sustainable agriculture and increased productivity.
Our Speakers
Ellen Walker
Ellen Walker - Presenter & Workshop Facilitator, EarthWhile Coach, TEDx Speaker
Ellen has studied the soil food web and soil microscopy with Dr Elaine Ingham and Dr Mary Cole (pioneers in this field), completed a graduate certificate in regenerative agriculture at Southern Cross University, a Permaculture Design Certificate at Fair Harvest, and Holistic Management with Inside Outside Management.
Ellen is keen to share this information and teach practices that will assist in developing and nurturing healthy, nutrient rich soil. Ellen works with home gardeners, orchardists, growers and farmers to develop knowledge of healthy soils to affordably grow high quality food in ways that care for our environment. Ellen is a founding partner of EarthWhile Australia.
Mark Tupman
Mark Tupman - Managing Director, Productive Ecology
Mark has been actively involved in the fields of organic/ biodynamic production, permaculture, sustainability, agro-ecology and holistic management for the last three decades. He has been worked on a number of educational, research, community and commercial projects throughout Western Australia and in between times, managing orchards, livestock and market garden enterprises on various properties.
Mark's consultation and education business, Productive Ecology, specialises in the establishment and management of integrated living production systems to improve ecological and economical outcomes for growers. He also works part time as the Witchcille Ecovillage horticulture manager and project advisor and content creator for the Lower Blackwood Catchment LCDC.