Join us for Part 2 of this 2-part video: Tools of the Trade: On-Farm Microscopy & Soil Management Practices!
In the first video, Dan Kittredge of the Bionutrient Food Association discussed the importance of soil microbes. In this video, Rubén Parrilla, of NOFA/Mass, shows us how to use microscopes to observe various microbes who are fundamental to cycling nutrients in soil and making those nutrients bioavailable to plants and animals alike. We observe four different soil and compost samples, analyzing their composition. Rubén also talks about ways to build a rich growing medium for producing healthy food, such as using mushroom compost and increasing various fungi in the soil.
About the Instructors:
Rubén Parilla (he/him) is the Soil Technical Coordinator for NOFA/Mass and trained in microscopic soil microbial identification through the Soil Food Web School. He is a Certified Lab Tech and studied Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. Rubén has 15 years’ experience working at different capacities in the environmental laboratory industry. He has been performing soil carbon proxy testing, soil health assessments, soil chemical analysis, and soil microbiological evaluations for NOFA/Mass over the past year and has extensive experience farming and working with farmers, including beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Rubén performs soil health-related outreach and education events for NOFA/Mass by leading monthly farmer learning calls, providing hands-on workshops and instruction at soil health education events, and networking with farmers and individuals in the agricultural industry. He is a fluent and native Spanish speaker and fully English/Spanish bilingual.