The Art & Science of Living Soils - SELF PACED

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

Jo Tobias of RootShoot Soils is offering an online 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 an online 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.
What an incredible, enlightening journey and deep dive into the hidden worlds of soil, plant, human and earth health, and the interconnectedness of them all! Jo is an amazing teacher (really, she is beyond Elaine Ingham 2.0, if possible). She was able to synthesize an enormous amount of information and present it clearly and concisely. This was taken to the next level with Javan's inspirational guidance, knowledge and expert facilitation. I am awestruck and extremely grateful to have been able to learn from you both!
— Mary Gerber
This was the most well organized and thorough course I've ever taken. Jo clearly knows what she's talking about and provides an incredible amount of supporting material to both confirm what she's teaching and to provide a jumping off point for further, independent study. I fully intend to rewatch each course session recording and am sure I'll learn new things the second time through - so much knowledge packed into a single course!
— Dorthea Gregoire
The knowledge, wisdom, and warmth were unmatched! I walked away every session having learned so much. I am leaving this course feeling much more competent and excited about working on the land. It's been incredible to learn from Jo. And the Regenerative Living portal always worked so seamlessly. I am so grateful I discovered this!
— Sonia Galiber
Empty space, drag to resize

Ten Modules

Sink into the subject of soil over the course of 10 solid modules.

Empty space, drag to resize

Recordings

Recordings from presentations and instructor feedback.

Practical Skills

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

Community Learning

Learn from the examples brought by your peers in the live course.
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.

"I was worried I knew the content of the course, I was wrong in the best way possible."

Bethany Couture - Landscaper Designer - Victoria, BC, Canada
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.

External Motivation

Since this is a self-paced course, individuals will need to be motivated to move through the material on their own, without any instructor oversight.

Course contents

Course Logistics

WHAT

Recordings from the 10 online calls held during the live version of the course.

Teaching materials cut up into digestible chunks.

Includes feedback given to students in the live course about their questions.

WHEN

Any time that works for you!

This is a self-paced course that you can work through in your own time.

COST

$296 USD

"I learned so much about compost and soil, more than I thought possible."

Kiva Sullivan - Columbia
Write your awesome label here.
This course was absolutely worth it! The information was very comprehensive, covering the basics of how things are decomposed, how the microorganisms interact with the plants, to many strategies to help you get the life and diversity back into the soil you are working with. This can be an overwhelming area of science-speak but Jo has the perfect balance of science to back up what she teaches and an uncanny way of making it easily understandable. She also kept a very realistic approach to applications, kindly guiding us to solutions for the issues we faced as her students. 
— Jessica LeBaron
This course deepened my existing knowledge of soil ecosystems and equipped me with practical strategies for addressing challenges such as degraded soils and plant diseases. I found this course incredibly enriching, offering fresh insights and a deeper appreciation for the dynamic, living world beneath our feet. Jo Tobias is an outstanding instructor, seamlessly weaving together scientific research, storytelling, and her own hands-on wisdom to make complex concepts both accessible and engaging. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to elevate their understanding of soil health and sustainable cultivation.
— Bethany Couture
I loved Jo's passion for the living soils! We need more people such as her that are intelligent yet approachable in delivering the knowledge about how to bring our soils back to life. I would highly recommend this course. It is suited for anyone, from beginner to expert, that has a love of nature, the land, gardens, pollinators, or anyone who is interested in a feasible way to help save the world, one yard at a time. 
— Vanessa Siemens
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

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. 

"I now know how to make exceptional compost!"

Anna Chaney - Farmer - USA
Write your awesome label here.

Start Cultivating Living Soil Today!

Created with