February-March 2025 Session
Registration Open Now!!!
*Registration button is for individuals. See "Bulk Enrollment" section below for group instructions.
The 131º School presents the SoilWise Microbial Assessment Certificate, a two-month online program providing training in soil microscopy and the identification and interpretation of micro-organisms for compost quality and soil health. The assessment approach is based on ecological principles and frameworks designed for anyone who works with soil microbial ecology, including composters, farmers, landscapers, gardeners, designers, educators, and citizen scientists. This course provides an deep dive into qualitative assessments of soil microbial ecology, applied to soil health in various landscape systems (including farming and native soil restoration), as well as composting systems and processes.
This course is taught by Lynn Fang, MS, a community soil scientist, compost specialist, educator, and ecological landscaper. Lynn teaches and applies a whole systems ecological framework for understanding soil health, compost quality, and microbial ecology. Her teaching and community work include partnerships with LA Compost, Integrative Development Initiative, CalRecycle Community Composting for Green Spaces, Cal Poly Pomona, and Pitzer College. Lynn recently launched SoilWise, a small business providing ecological landscaping, composting, and soil health consulting and testing. The SoilWise Microbial Assessment Certificate expands upon the Community Soil Health microscopy education at LA Compost, where Lynn has played a lead role in developing and offering educational programs and materials for the community on soil microscopy.
Live Sessions are the Third and Fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:31 PM Eastern Time
Topics Covered Include:
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Intro to Microscopy
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Intro to Soil Health
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Soil Microbial Ecology Applications
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Soil Microbe Identification
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Compost Microbial Ecology
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Intro to Ecological Frameworks
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Soil Fungi and Microbiometer Demonstrations
Course Pricing
$400/person for 1-3 students
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$400.00
Pay In Full
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$200.00
Two Payments
Want to save money and sign up as a group?
$375/person for 4-9 students
$350/person for 10+ students
Follow these steps to register as a group:
- Download this form and fill in the names of all the students you wish to enroll: ThinkificStudentImportTemplate.xlsx
- Save as NAME.DD.MM.YYYY and email as an attachment to [email protected]
- We will send you a confirmation email with an invoice and will email each individual included in the form.
Microscope Packages:
We will be providing a range of microscope package recommendations to students starting as low as $400 and will make sure that you have everything that you need to get off the ground running with your microscopy tools.
We are limiting the number of students enrolled in each session and will be opening enrollment for future courses soon. In the meantime, if you know which session you'd like to attend, please join the course waitlist below.
Upcoming Sessions |
February-March (2026)
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Pre-registration |
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Monthly Live Sessions
(2 hrs)
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1:31 pm EST 3rd and 4th Tuesdays
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Session schedule is subject to change. We will update any changes here and notify enrolled students.
Course Agenda
Video Lectures and Quizzes
Day 1 of Course – Course content is live!
Format: Pre-recorded Videos
Unit I – Soil Microbial Ecology Applications
Unit II – Intro to Soil Health & Microbe Identification
Unit III – Intro to Microscopy
Unit IV – Compost Microbial Ecology
Unit V – Intro to Ecological Frameworks
Complete before 3rd Tuesday of Month One: Units I & II Review Quizzes – Open Book; submit any questions!
Complete before 3rd Tuesday of Month Two - Units III, IV, & V Review Quizzes – Open Book; submit any questions!
All course content must be completed by the end of the Month 2!
Live Sessions
3rd Tuesday of Month One – 1:31 pm EST - Live group discussion with Instructor Lynn Fang (focus on Units I & II)
4th Tuesday of Month One – 1:31 pm EST - Operator Discussion and Q&A: Live group discussion with Maggie Smart McCabe of LA Compost
3rd Tuesday of Month Two – 1:31 pm EST - Operator Discussion and Q&A: Live group discussion with Michael Martinez
4th Tuesday of Month Two – 1:31 pm EST - Live group discussion with Instructor Lynn Fang (focus on Units III, IV, & V)
F.A.Q.
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Could you recommend a microscope to purchase?
We have created a list of microscope packages you can purchase. We have tested these brands and verified their quality.
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Will this help me grow food better?
Growing food regeneratively, and in particular with increasing nutrient density, depends on good quality biologically active soil. Microscopy assessments can be helpful to determine whether your compost and soil has attained a high level of biological activity with good nutrient cycling, moisture content, disease suppression potential, as well as strong soil structure.
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Do I need prior experience with microbiology or microscopes?
No. This course is designed for beginners and laypeople. We will teach you the essential principles of soil microbial ecology, as well as microscope use. You will learn how to apply that knowledge to soil and compost systems.
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Can you help our State or Region offer local trainings?
Yes. Some options available to states, institutions, and non-profit groups include: 1) Courses can be purchased in bulk and offered to a specific group of students; 2) Courses can be customized to a specific state or region; 3) We can bring the course to you and offer hands-on learning (in combination with remote or in-person lectures as requested), and; 4) We can speak about customized topics. Please inquire to learn more by emailing: Tech(at)CompostTechnicalServices.com
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What is the history of the course, curriculum, and certificate?
This curriculum was adapted from the LA Compost Community Soil Health program, with permission from LA Compost, which Lynn Fang played a lead role in developing. The certificate verifies completion of the course.
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How does this course compare to other soil microbial ecology training courses?
This is a course that is designed to provide an accessible entry point to learning and working with this knowledge and skillset. It is targeted towards empowering practitioners to monitor and assess their soil quality for improved production and plant health. It provides a succinct and actionable understanding, identifying, and interpreting soil microbial ecology. Hands-on practice working with the microscope and looking at different types of samples will be your best ally in developing confidence and skill. This online format makes the curriculum available to a geographically distributed audience at an affordable cost (not to mention bringing together lots of amazing people over large distances!). It's also allowing our lectures to be fine tuned to a level that would be hard to replicate consistently in live presentations.
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Do I need a certificate to assess soil microbial ecology?
The course provides a certificate of completion, which is a demonstration of knowledge and skill for you and those you are working with. Our goal is for you to be able to apply the skills you learn in this course on day one, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of practice in soil stewardship.
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What if I can't afford this course right now?
In order to create equitable and regenerative communities and food systems, we need every soil champion to be equipped with the tools to assess the life in their soil. Our hope is that The 131° School can provide some of those tools and that our educational resources are getting to the right people in the right places. If you are serious about soil microbial assessment and want to participate in the school, know that we believe in you, and money is not a barrier. We have a no questions asked equity policy. Let us know what you can pay, even if that number is zero (we cannot cover the cost of a microscope at this time, but please still reach out). Of course, this school cannot exist without paying students and we need everyone who can pay to do so. And if you have thoughts about ways we can make the school a more open and equitable environment, we'd be grateful for your ideas. Every student who joins our school community plays a valuable role in moving this work forward and we are excited you're here!!! Please reach out to us at: Compost(at)The131School.com
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What if I need more time to access course materials?
We offer an additional month of access to course content for a one time charge of $25 (to cover admin fees).
Questions?
For any questions about curriculum and course content, please email Lynn at lynn (at) soilwise.earth
For any questions about the course platform or registration, please email compost (at) the131school.com