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Fertile Ground Workshop

Fertile Ground:

Whole-Farm Fertility Systems Design & Management

Build a fertility system that feeds your soil and your future.

Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

@ Dunn Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale, IL

Fertile Ground is a free, interactive workshop designed for organic, transitional, and small-scale growers. You'll learn how to deepen soil health, reduce input costs, and design a fertility system that is resilient and biologically alive. The workshop blends soil science, composting essentials, and regional resource mapping. You will apply the learning directly to your own operation, drafting a personalized whole-farm fertility plan. Optional one-on-one follow-up consultations with permaculture designer Grant Depoy are also available.

Here is the full schedule for the Fertile Ground Workshop — Whole-Farm Fertility Systems Design & Management on Sunday, December 7, 2025:

  • 12:00 – 12:15 PM: Arrival & Welcome (Check-in, networking, workshop overview)
  • 12:15 – 1:00 PM: Lunch Session: Regional Fertility Resources & Opportunities (Facilitator: Food Works Team (Blayne), including a TOPP Mini-Segment)
  • 1:00 – 1:40 PM: Soil Foundations: Science, Health & Function (Presenter: Amanda Weidhuner, SIU Soil Science)
  • 1:40 – 2:20 PM: On-Farm Fertility Systems (Facilitator: Food Works Team/Round Table)
  • 2:20 – 2:35 PM: Break (15 Minutes)
  • 2:35 – 3:15 PM: Farm Case Insight: Dayempur Farm (Presenter: Talib Mark Fletter)
  • 3:15 – 4:50 PM: Mini Design Charrette: Build Your Farm Fertility Blueprint (Facilitator: Grant Depoy, The Permaculture Project)
  • 4:50 – 5:00 PM: Closing & Next Steps (Key takeaways, evaluation, planning packets, optional follow-up sign-up)

Registration is Closed.

Thanks so much for your interest in our workshop! We're sorry to say that we’re all filled up and can’t accept any more registrations at this time. We really appreciate your understanding and hope to see you at future events!
Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois.
(618) 370-3287info@fwsoil.org
Food Works
PO Box 3855
Carbondale, IL 62901
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