The Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA) is inviting farmers, gardeners and curious land stewards to its second annual “Brewing Better Soil” workshop on Aug. 11 at Arbutus Hall — a free, hands-on event exploring cutting-edge approaches to soil health.
The day-long event is a follow-up to last year’s session that introduced Alberta producers to the Johnson-Su bioreactor composting system . This year, the focus shifts from theory to application.
“We’re getting into the practical use of microbial extracts made from bioreactor compost,” said Tatyana Pavlovets, CAFLA’s executive director. “We’ll have samples from the unit we built last year, plus another built by a local producer, Case and Andrew Korver. People can compare the compost side by side and see the outcomes for themselves.”
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at Arbutus Hall with a keynote by Dr. Don Huber, professor of plant pathology at Purdue University. Dr. Huber will present two sessions: “The Hidden Killer Lurking in Your Soil” and “Nutrient Management to Control Plant Disease.”
In his talks, Huber is expected to explore how shifts in microbial life, nutrient dynamics and farm input choices may be undermining soil health in ways producers can’t always see. He’ll also share strategies for building plant immunity through better mineral nutrition.
The event will include a field tour at Revrok Farms, located just across the road from the hall. Attendees will get a close-up look at a bioreactor, touch and compare compost samples, and even take home small amounts of microbial extract to try in their own gardens.
The Johnson-Su bioreactor differs from traditional composting by creating a more fungal-dominant, high-diversity microbial product. According to Pavlovets, this kind of compost extract has the potential to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, making it a promising tool for those looking to lower input costs while supporting long-term soil health.
Lunch will be served at noon, and while the event is free, attendees are encouraged to pre-register for planning purposes.
The workshop aligns with CAFLA’s broader mission to deliver practical, hands-on research to Alberta producers. In June, the association received $195,000 in provincial funding — part of a $3.2 million grant distributed across Alberta’s 12 applied research associations.
Pavlovets said the funding will help CAFLA purchase critical field gear, including a new truck, trailer, soil sampler and possibly a drone, to improve the quality and accessibility of its outreach.
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For more information or to register for the Aug. 11 event, contact the association at 403-844-2645.
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