Microscopy Training Courses for Winter/Spring 2025
December 13, 2024
CT NOFA has a new roster of microscopy courses slated for early in 2025. Trainings include 3 recorded virtual sessions (made available to participants at time of registration) and 1 in-person session, at which participants will receive an OMAX digital compound microscope to keep. Participants will choose their in-person training location/date at registration from the list, below.
- January 23: Ocean House Farm in Newport, RI
- January 25: Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, MA
- February 8: The Hickories Farm in Ridgefield, CT
- February 15: Common Ground High School in New Haven, CT
- March 15: Woven Roots Farm in Tyringham, MA
Course Information
Participants will view various soils and composts, looking at the different soil structures and the microbes that thrive in healthy soil. Demonstrations include how to prepare a slide for viewing, what you might find and how to evaluate your findings. Participants will be trained to analyze the following:
- Bacteria : Fungi ratios – what they mean and why they’re important
- Aggregate structure in soil/compost
- Bacteria numbers and diversity
- Quality of fungi and what that means for your soil
- Predators – identify and quantify both aerobic and anaerobic microbes
- Compost tea and extracts – microbial populations that exist in real time
Throughout the training we will discuss ways to create healthy, living soil using regenerative agriculture techniques. At the completion of the training you will be ready to use your microscope to evaluate soil and compost, with the ability to store the information in written and visual form, to share, and compare with future samples.
Training includes:
- OMAX Digital Compound Microscope (yours to keep)
- 3 Recorded Virtual Training Sessions
- 1 In-Person training
COURSE COST IS $600.
Click here to register.
Recent Posts
Connecticut Legislative Committee Passes Constitutional Environmental Rights Proposal
On March 20, 2026, the Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) voted overwhelmingly (13 yeas; 6 nays) to advance the resolution to put the Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment (CTERA) on the ballot. Proposed as SJ 37, the amendment would be added to the state constitution’s Bill of Rights and recognize the right of all the people of Connecticut to clean and healthy water and air, soils, ecosystems, environment and a stable climate.
Read More
Organic Transitions: Tyler Hoadley & Haley Newell | Hoadley Hills Farm
As a core partner in the ongoing Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), CT NOFA has provided support to Connecticut farms that are pursuing organic certification. One of the farms that has achieved organic certification with support from the program is Hoadley Hills Farm, the first organically certified livestock farm in Connecticut.
Read More