The Art & Science of Living Soils

Uncover the dynamic processes that make soil a living ecosystem, and learn how to cultivate the foundation of life on Earth.

After four years, Jo Tobias of RootShoot Soils is offering a live version of her introductory class to the biology within our soil that makes it not just survive but thrive. Growing exceptional plants with high levels of nutrition and vigorous growth, Jo walks students step by step through the ecology under our feet. 

Don't miss the course; it might be another four years before a live version is offered again. 
Write your awesome label here.

Rebuild Ecosystems From The Ground Up

Soil holds the secrets to regenerating our landscapes and fostering vibrant ecosystems, making it a crucial component for our survival and the planet's future.

This comprehensive workshop, led by an expert in the field, is designed for gardeners, farmers, agricultural professionals, permaculture designers, environmentalists, and anyone passionate about the Earth's well-being.

Over ten sessions, we will embark on an enlightening journey into the heart of soil health and regeneration.

You can watch countless YouTube videos, read many books, or go to the source and be taught by someone who lives and breathes cultivating living soils. Skip the mistakes and increase your success by joining this course.

If you want to learn to create excellent soil and compost, this course is for you.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

Begin your journey into the heart of soil health and regeneration.

Would You Like To...

See Soil As An Ecosystem

Appreciate the biodiversity within the soil and its importance to ecological health.

Make Better Compost

Learn how to make thermophilic compost and implement it effectively.

Reduce Effects Of Disease

Learn strategies to minimize the impact of pathogens and disease-causing organisms.

Explore The Soil Food Web

Delve into the intricate dynamics of how plant roots and soil interact.

Hear Case Studies

Your learning journey will be supported by real-life examples of successes in the field.

Gain Practical Next Steps

Discuss ways to apply the knowledge gained in personal or professional projects.
Empty space, drag to resize

Ready To Get Closer To The Earth?

Learn how to evaluate and cultivate the living ecosystems under your feet.
Write your awesome label here.
Empty space, drag to resize

Ten Live Sessions

Sink into the subject of soil over the course of three months.

Empty space, drag to resize

Recordings

Can't make one of the sessions? Recordings will be made available.

Practical Skills

Explore soil's role in ecological processes with real-life examples.

Community Learning

Learn from the examples and questions brought by your peers.
Write your awesome label here.
Empty space, drag to resize
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

This course is a really good fit for:

Agricultural Professionals

Farmers, agronomists, consultants seeking to enhance soil fertility & crop production.

Gardeners/Homesteaders

Those interested in improving soil health to promote sustainable living practices.

Permaculture Designers

People designing systems that emphasize sustainable and self-sufficient landscapes.

Environmentalists

Advocates looking to better understand soil's role in the global ecosystem.

Educators And Students

Particularly in environmental science, agriculture, horticulture, and related fields.

Policy Makers & Planners

Individuals seeking science-based approaches to soil management.

This course may not be suitable for individuals seeking:

Immediate Agricultural Solutions Without Environmental Consideration

Those seeking quick fixes to agricultural problems that do not take into account long-term environmental sustainability and soil health.

Conventional Agriculture Proponents Unwilling to Change

Individuals firmly committed to conventional practices that rely heavily on synthetic inputs and are not open to exploring regenerative approaches to farming and soil management.

Basic Gardening Tips

While gardening enthusiasts may find the content enriching, the workshop focuses on the scientific, ecological, and technical aspects of soil health and regeneration.

Non-Agricultural Education

The focus of this workshop is primarily on soil ecosystems and their importance in ecological landscaping and agriculture, not on environmental topics unrelated to soil.

Course contents

Course Logistics

WHAT

Ten live Zoom calls, each lasting two hours.

1 Hour Presentation

20-minute Group Discussion

30-minute Q and A

WHEN

Nov 6 2024 -
Session 1
Nov 13 2024 -
Session 2
Nov 20 2024 - Session 3
Nov 27 2024 -
Session 4
Dec 4 2024 -
Session 5
Dec 11 2024 -
Session 6

3 Week Break

Jan 8 2025 -
Session 7
Jan 15 2025 -
Session 8
Jan 22 2025 -
Session 9
Jan 29 2025 -
Session 10

TIME ZONE

Calls will start at:

5pm PST
6pm MST
7pm CST
8pm EST

COST

REGULAR PRICE
$399 USD

Our students love us

If you are starting to farm, thinking about farming, or wanting to scale up your enterprise in ways that harmonize with nature, and most importantly make GREAT SOIL, then you will want to take this course.
I enjoyed the whole course, the formal learning, the case studies and the examples taken from your own work situations. I really liked that we could ask questions and you would both share your thoughts and experiences. I've developed a great approach to building and managing healthy soil.
I now know, like all the way, how to make AMAZING compost. Thank you so much. I loved learning from you both.
Meet the instructor

Jo Tobias

Jo Tobias is the visionary founder of RootShoot Soils, where she champions the regeneration of soils by using biologically diverse and active compost. Her collaboration with farmers across Canada since 2015, notably in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, underscores her commitment to educating land stewards on enhancing soil health. Tobias' work emphasizes the critical role of compost in jumpstarting microbial processes essential for nutrient cycling and the breakdown of organic material, demonstrating a deep understanding of soil's capacity to support life.

Her childhood in the Philippines, filled with explorations of local flora and fauna, laid the groundwork for her lifelong fascination with the natural world. This early exposure to diverse ecosystems instilled in her a profound curiosity about living systems, a trait that has become a cornerstone of her work in soil regeneration.

The turning point in Tobias' career came during a visit to the Philippines in 2010, where she witnessed the detrimental impact of the Green Revolution's practices on traditional farming. This experience propelled her towards seeking sustainable agricultural methods that leverage the vital role of microbial life in soil health. Inspired by the teachings of Dr. Elaine Ingham of the Soil Food Web School, Tobias has since been dedicated to promoting soil regeneration. Her work is driven by a unique perspective on data as narratives of ecological interactions. She maintains a childlike curiosity and open-mindedness that fuel her passion for uncovering the endless possibilities of ecological restoration and health.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the host

Javan Bernakevitch

Javan Bernakevitch is a life and land designer who speaks, writes, teaches, and consults with clients, businesses, and farms worldwide through All Points Design and RegenerativeLiving.online, helping folks to have better lives and landscapes year after year.

He believes that if we don't design our lives, they'll be designed for us, not for our benefit. "If humans want to have a long life here on our planet, we best act like we are part of the ecology." 
Patrick Jones - Course author
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to learn from Jo. She offered what I think was the most imperative, and effective practices I could have ever learned to implement in my land management at Paradise Fields. Shifting my understanding of soil from a chemical lens to a biological lens has made all the difference in how I approach earth work. Thanks Jo!.
— Rachel Cope
Well-versed, clear explanations and a fountain of knowledge. Jo broke down all the science info into concepts that were easy to comprehend, and has a plethora of reference materials; including personal experiences that she could draw upon for her teaching. This has been one of the most fulfilling courses I have taken, and it left me wanting to pursue more knowledge in the topic of soil restorations. 
— Former Student
Jo is a wealth of knowledge and after each soil test we discuss the numbers, good vs bad in the soil food web. What are the next steps, our organic inputs and cover crop mix to change the numbers in our favour for more beneficial organisms. We are well on our way to having a sustainable farming practice.
— Dalia & Jason

Frequently asked questions

How long will I have access to the course material?

You'll have access to the course material for one year from the start date of the course.

Is the course refundable?

The course is non-refundable.

Can my partner or friend look over my shoulder while I take the course?

Yes! Your registration allows for one "over the shoulder" viewing of the course. We ask you not to share your login information with anyone else. 

Start Cultivating Living Soil Today!

Created with