Regenerative Soil Management: Cultivate Healthy Soils & Biodiversity

Introduction:

Regenerative Soil Management empowers professionals to restore and enhance soil health through sustainable practices that boost biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. This course focuses on understanding soil ecology, implementing regenerative techniques, and promoting long-term soil fertility. Participants will learn to improve soil structure, increase carbon sequestration, and enhance water holding capacity. This course bridges the gap between conventional agricultural practices and the urgent need for soil restoration, enabling professionals to cultivate healthy soils and thriving ecosystems.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals involved in agriculture, environmental management, and land stewardship, including:

• Farmers and Agricultural Producers
• Soil Scientists
• Agronomists
• Environmental Consultants
• Land Managers
• Urban Gardeners
• Landscape Architects
• Sustainability Professionals

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Regenerative Soil Management course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and benefits of regenerative soil management.
• Implement techniques for assessing soil health and biodiversity.
• Develop and implement strategies for improving soil structure and fertility.
• Understand the role of cover cropping, no-till farming, and diverse crop rotations.
• Implement strategies for increasing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration.
• Understand the role of compost, biochar, and other soil amendments.
• Implement strategies for enhancing soil microbial activity and biodiversity.
• Understand the principles of holistic grazing and pasture management.
• Implement strategies for restoring degraded soils and ecosystems.
• Understand the role of policy and incentives in promoting regenerative agriculture.
• Evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of regenerative soil management.
• Enhance their ability to design and implement effective regenerative soil management plans.
• Improve land productivity and ecosystem resilience through sustainable soil practices.
• Contribute to the development of a regenerative agriculture and land management ecosystem.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in regenerative soil management.
• Become a knowledgeable and effective regenerative soil management professional.
• Understand ethical considerations in soil management and land stewardship.
• Learn how to use soil testing and analysis tools effectively for regenerative practices.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Regenerative Soil Management

• Overview of soil health, soil degradation, and the need for regenerative practices.
• Understanding the principles of regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration.
• Introduction to key concepts (soil organic matter, soil biodiversity, carbon sequestration).
• Review of relevant international and national initiatives promoting soil health.
• Setting the stage for cultivating healthy soils and biodiversity.

Module 2: Soil Health Assessment and Monitoring

• Implementing techniques for assessing soil physical, chemical, and biological properties.
• Utilizing soil testing and analysis tools (soil texture, pH, organic matter, microbial activity).
• Analyzing soil health indicators and interpreting soil test results.
• Understanding the role of visual soil assessment and field observations.
• Understanding the importance of baseline soil health data.

Module 3: Soil Structure and Fertility Improvement

• Implementing strategies for improving soil structure (aggregate stability, porosity, water infiltration).
• Utilizing techniques for enhancing soil fertility (nutrient cycling, mineral availability).
• Analyzing the role of soil amendments (compost, manure, cover crops) in soil improvement.
• Understanding the principles of soil tilth and compaction management.
• Understanding the importance of long-term soil fertility planning.

Module 4: Cover Cropping and Diverse Crop Rotations

• Implementing strategies for incorporating cover crops into farming systems.
• Utilizing techniques for selecting and managing cover crop species.
• Analyzing the role of diverse crop rotations in improving soil health and reducing pest pressure.
• Understanding the principles of companion planting and intercropping.
• Understanding the importance of crop diversity.

Module 5: No-Till and Reduced Tillage Practices

• Understanding the principles and benefits of no-till and reduced tillage farming.
• Implementing techniques for minimizing soil disturbance and preserving soil structure.
• Analyzing the role of direct seeding and residue management.
• Understanding the principles of controlled traffic farming.
• Understanding the importance of long-term no-till adoption.

Module 6: Increasing Soil Organic Matter and Carbon Sequestration

• Implementing strategies for increasing soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon sequestration.
• Utilizing techniques for composting, mulching, and incorporating organic residues.
• Analyzing the role of agroforestry and perennial crops in carbon sequestration.
• Understanding the principles of soil carbon dynamics and storage.
• Understanding the importance of long-term carbon monitoring.

Module 7: Compost, Biochar, and Other Soil Amendments

• Implementing techniques for producing and applying compost and biochar.
• Analyzing the role of other soil amendments (rock dust, vermicompost) in soil improvement.
• Understanding the principles of nutrient management and soil amendment application rates.
• Understanding the importance of amendment quality control.
• Understanding the economic considerations of amendment use.

Module 8: Enhancing Soil Microbial Activity and Biodiversity

• Implementing strategies for enhancing soil microbial activity and biodiversity.
• Utilizing techniques for inoculating soils with beneficial microorganisms (mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia).
• Analyzing the role of diverse plant communities in supporting soil biodiversity.
• Understanding the principles of soil food web dynamics.
• Understanding the importance of microbial community analysis.

Module 9: Holistic Grazing and Pasture Management

• Implementing strategies for holistic grazing and pasture management.
• Utilizing techniques for rotational grazing and adaptive grazing.
• Analyzing the role of livestock integration in soil health improvement.
• Understanding the principles of pasture ecology and forage management.
• Understanding the importance of animal welfare.

Module 10: Restoring Degraded Soils and Ecosystems

• Implementing strategies for restoring degraded soils and ecosystems (erosion control, remediation).
• Utilizing techniques for revegetation and ecological restoration.
• Analyzing the role of bioremediation and phytoremediation.
• Understanding the principles of landscape restoration and watershed management.
• Understanding the importance of site-specific restoration plans.

Module 11: Policy and Incentives for Regenerative Agriculture

• Understanding the role of policy and incentives in promoting regenerative agriculture.
• Analyzing national and international policies related to soil health and carbon sequestration.
• Implementing strategies for promoting policy reforms and farmer support programs.
• Understanding the principles of carbon markets and ecosystem service payments.
• Understanding the importance of farmer education and extension.

Module 12: Economic and Environmental Benefits of Regenerative Soil Management

• Implementing methodologies for evaluating the economic and environmental benefits of regenerative soil management.
• Utilizing cost-benefit analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA).
• Analyzing the role of ecosystem service valuation and natural capital accounting.
• Understanding the principles of sustainable agriculture economics.
• Understanding the importance of long-term economic viability.

Module 13: Integrating Regenerative Practices into Farm and Land Management Plans

• Implementing strategies for integrating regenerative practices into farm and land management plans.
• Utilizing techniques for developing whole-farm planning and adaptive management.
• Analyzing the role of participatory planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding the principles of risk management and resilience planning.
• Understanding the importance of continuous improvement.

Module 14: Case Studies and Best Practices in Regenerative Soil Management

• Analyzing real-world case studies of successful regenerative soil management initiatives.
• Learning from best practices across different regions and sectors.
• Identifying key lessons learned and challenges in implementation.
• Discussing the role of innovation and adaptation.
• Sharing knowledge and experience.

Module 15: Future Trends and Action Planning for Regenerative Land Stewardship

• Exploring emerging trends and opportunities in regenerative soil management (digital technologies, AI, citizen science).
• Developing action plans for advancing regenerative land stewardship within organizations and communities.
• Analyzing the role of individual and collective action.
• Understanding how to stay up to date on regenerative soil management information.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.