Course Description
Healthy soils are the foundation of productive cropping system. This course explores how plant roots and soil organisms work together to improve nutrient cycling, water use, and plant health. We will learn about how crop diversity, companion planting, and crop sequencing can help enhance soil biological activity and nutrient availability. The course also introduces practical tools like earthworm counts, microbiometers, Solvita tests, compaction probes, and XRF analysis to assess soil potential.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Explain how roots, microbes, and soil structure interact to control nutrient availability and crop performance.
- Design crop rotations and companion systems that build quality organic matter and biological fertility.
- Assess soil biological potential using practical indicators such as earthworms, microbial activity, and field-based measurement tools
Time: 46 minutes
Quiz: 13 questions
CCA/CEU Credits: 1.0 Soil and Water Management (Pending Approval)
* CEU credits will be submitted on your behalf upon the completion of the course. This process can take up to 30 days to appear in your account. Please make sure your CCA# is including in your profile or credits will not be applied. If you have any issues please contact ATP at info@atpag.com
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Course Content
Course Instructor
Principal Scientist - Rhizoterra Inc.
Jill Clapperton recognized the ability of no tillage to promote soil biological activity early in her 16 year career as the Rhizosphere Ecologist at the Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge Alberta Canada. After moving to the USA with her husband and family, Jill began her career as an entrepreneur first as the owner of Earthspirit Consulting and then as the Co-Founder of Rhizoterra Inc. Jill Clapperton is a well-known international speaker on topics relating to creating and managing healthy productive soils, crop rotation and cover crops. She is working to develop and adapt technologies for improved on farm decision-making based on science.
Jill Clapperton is also the Founder of the Worm Watch Program that uses earthworms as indicators of environmental sustainability and soil health for which she won the Environment Canada Patricia Roberts – Pichette Award for Enthusiastic leadership and commitment to advancing ecological monitoring and research in Canada. In 2014, received the Syngenta National No Till Award for Leadership and Education, and in 2016 she received the National No Till Award for being a Legend in No Till.
Rhizoterra Inc. is a purveyor of information and independent research that supports food growers and consumers around the World in making informed decisions based on science.