An interview with Dr. Elaine Ingham – founder, president and director of research at Soil Foodweb, Inc.; author of Compost Tea Manual 5th ed., and The Field Guide for Actively Aerated Compost Tea; co-author of Soil Biology Prime. 

Dr. Ingham tells us how we can ensure a healthy "soil food web" to promote plant growth and reduce reliance on inorganic chemicals, not matter what the soil conditions or climate. Her influence and experience are global;  she has uncovered startling information about how to increase food production, improve the nutrient value of commercial food crops, and do so with a hugely significant reduction in monetary and chemical inputs. Elaine will also talk about how to grow food for yourself that is more healthful, and how the soil you use is directly related to the nutrient value of your food.

In this interview:

•  What are all those organisms doing in the soil?
•  “Going biological” saves money, reduces pesticide use and increases yields
•  Growing method determines nutritional value of food
•  Healthy soil – loaded with bacteria and fungi!
•  Fungal/bacterial balance determines which plants can grow where
•  Grass-roots question:  How to improve soil for pasture and hay?
•  Raised beds – Same principles?
•  Is your soil sick?  Diagnostic testing and treatment
•  Can we really eat soil bacteria?  And is it helpful?
•  How do we get the governments to support healthy soils, rather than chemical companies?
•  Is it possible for anything to grow in Las Vegas?
•  How can we know which crops like which kinds of soil?

Dr. Ingham is President and Director of Research at Soil Foodweb Inc.  She maintains a website where the results of her work are posted. Her publication, The Compost Tea Brewing Manual, is updated periodically to include the latest results in compost tea work.  Dr. Ingham has worked extensively on genetically engineered organism issues with a non-governmental organization called the Edmonds Institute.  Elaine is a strong advocate of sound ecological testing of all genetically engineered organisms before they are released into the environment.  

Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, is the host of the Access to Health Experts series.  She holds a doctorate and is board-certified in Clinical Nutrition, is the author of Digestive Wellness, Digestive Wellness for Children, and Leaky Gut Syndrome.  She’s the Director of Doctoral Studies at Hawthorn University and the Nutrition Editor for Pilates Style Magazine.  Dr. Lipski is the founder of several web-based health information sites, including Innovative Healing and Access to Health Experts.