Understanding Soil Health

No matter the size or location of your growing space, the health of the soil can make a world of difference. Come and get your hands dirty with the Twin Cities Metro Growers at Karamu Community Gardens! In this hands-on workshop, we'll learn how to conduct basic tests at your farm or garden to assess soil compaction, infiltration, structure, and biological activity. 

We'll also talk about one tool you might use to improve your "test results" -- cover crops. Karamu Gardens recently seeded cover crops and will discuss how they're using it to tackle weed and nutrient management.

Additionally, University of Minnesota Extension will share a program that offers free, one-on-one soil health technical assistance to farmers, as well as soil health assessment kits that you can borrow and use at home.

Registration: This event is free to attend. Advance registration requested, walkups welcome.

Presenters:  Ben Stone, Hennepin County Extension Master Gardener
Mariama Gillespie, Karamu Community Gardens
Jonathan Kilpatrick, Sustainable Farming Association Farmer Education Director
Adria Fernandez, Natalie Hoidal, Lia Spaniolo, and Bailey Tangen of University of Minnesota Extension

About Karamu: The Karamu Community Garden is a vibrant gathering space dedicated to growing food, building connections, and nurturing community well-being. Rooted in the spirit of karamu a Swahili word meaning “feast” or “gathering” the garden provides a place for neighbors, families, and youth to come together to learn, share, and celebrate.

Karamu Garden not only produces fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but also cultivates cultural exchange, storytelling, and intergenerational learning. It is a space where traditions are honored, skills are shared, and relationships are grown alongside the harvest. Through workshops, hands-on gardening, and community events, Karamu Garden promotes food justice, environmental stewardship, and collective healing.

Parking: Located on the west end of the garden.
Bathrooms are available at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC), which neighbors the garden.

The Twin Cities Metro Growers Network is a collaboration between SFA and the University of Minnesota Extension in Hennepin County.

This event is funded  in part through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture AGRI Urban Agriculture grant.

SFA staff and volunteers occasionally take photos during our workshops, cafe chats and field days for promotional purposes and to use as documentation of events to share with our funders.  If you do not wish to be photographed, please let our event host know -- we'll make every effort to make sure you are not photographed.