Grower Programs
Soil Health Program
We view soil as a living being and nurture a reciprocal relationship with soil. We primarily partner with community growers in food insecure areas with higher soil toxins. We take a community-led approach to soil science and education.
[Image: Dr. Israel, Soil Stories Workshop, African Heritage Garden]
Latest update:
Below check out AUA’s recently published nutrient guide for soil health!
Las guías están traducidas en español también!
Interested in Soil Health Basics? check out the video workshops below, this past May we partnered with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Milwaukee Urban Agriculture Network and the University of Wisconsin's Division of Extension, Community Food Systems.
For more information, reach out to soil@auachicago.org.
Soil Health: Honoring Ancestors and Future Generations
Environmental justice and soil health is an important component of building regenerative and sustainable agriculture that improves food security. AUA partners with urban farm by co-creating educational workshops, zines, resource distribution (amendments, mushroom substrate) , 1-1 assessments, monitoring soil biology (including microbes), pre and post free soil testing for heavy metal and nutrients as well as crop nutrient density for urban farm partners. We also partner with government and university institutions to ensure growers have access to all available and free resources. Currently we are the only program providing free testing and soil test interpretation on heavy metals.
We follow soil sampling protocols, ensuring staff safety for everyone engaged to minimize exposure to contaminated soil. We provide recommendations with our partners (new soil, capped raised beds, amendments) as well as digital and printed outreach materials to distribute in food insecure areas and local market stands.
Soil Health Basics Workshops
✲
Eager to get started?
At the time we are no longer accepting requests for soil testing. If you'd like to join our Free Soil Health Program once it’s available, join our mailing list below and follow along for updates.