HOME
About Contact
Programs and Courses
Live Mentorship Program 2026 Self Paced Program Microscopy Course Free Intro Course
Workshops and Events
Costa Rica Retreat 2026 Workshops and Events

Live Soil Mentorship Program

Grow Your Composting Skills. Deepen Your Soil Literacy. Build Systems That Actually Work.

Begins April 9 2026

 

Learn the method for restoring soil fertility at scale.

The Compost Academy Live Training Program offers professional grade training that teaches you how to create soil amendments that restore soil fertility, how to produce and apply it at scale, and how to verify quality — without relying on chemicals or expensive inputs.  Learn over 13 weeks with personalized coaching, challenges, and weekly calls.  A virtual apprenticeship to rapidly build your skillset.

Join The Program

Wherever You’re Starting, We’re Here to Help You Level Up

 

There’s no one-size-fits-all compost system. Every site, climate, and ecosystem brings its own challenges — and potential.

At Compost Academy, we don’t criticize what exists. We teach you what makes compost functionally effective — and how to produce it consistently.

Compost isn’t just organic matter.
It’s biology. And biology either performs — or it doesn’t.

High-quality compost can rebuild soil structure, support resilient crops, and restore degraded land at scale. The difference isn’t branding — it’s microbial diversity, process, and skill.

That’s what we teach.

You’ll learn from practitioners at Catalyst BioAmendments and Soil Matters — people actively producing compost, applying biological systems in the field, and solving real-world challenges every week.

This isn’t slide-based theory.
It’s field experience translated into usable systems.

 

 

What You’ll Learn to Do at Compost Academy

After this training, you’ll be able to:

  • Build biologically active compost with consistency
  • Design recipes based on your materials, climate, and scale
  • Produce compost extract and tea that deliver living biology
  • Evaluate compost quality under the microscope
  • Identify maturity and safety with confidence
  • Troubleshoot issues before they become costly
  • Create repeatable systems that work season after season
  • Reduce reliance on synthetic inputs through biological understanding

You won’t just follow instructions.
You’ll recognize what success looks like — in the pile, under the scope, and in the field.

What Makes Compost Academy Different 

We focus on implementation.  We teach you to:

  • Strengthen what’s already working
  • Build systems that fit your land
  • Use biology as a guide
  • Observe, adapt, and make informed decisions

Many programs teach soil science.
We teach how to apply it — consistently and at scale.

This is about building skill.

Skill that saves:

  • Time — fewer seasons of trial and error
  • Money — fewer unnecessary inputs
  • Guesswork — because you can verify results

And ultimately, skill that builds soil you can stand behind.



The 2026 Live Soil Mentorship Program

Are you ready to transform your approach to composting and soil biology? The Soil Mentorship Program is your all-access, no-fluff guide to mastering the art and science of  biological composting and soil regeneration.
 
You'll take part in a 13 week guided training program, with presentations that equip you with practical skills, insider knowledge, a living community, and real world challenges designed to give you a shortcut to improving your soil biology outcomes.
 

Program Preview

Week 1 - Welcome and Orientation

Week 2  – Soil Biology Primer - Understanding the Foundations of Healthy Soil

Week 3  - Where to Compost - Creating Your Compost Space

Week 4  - Sourcing & Managing Compost Inputs

Week 5  - Composting: Building Connections & Support Systems

Week 6  - Building & Turning a Thriving Compost Pile

Week 7 - Troubleshooting & Long-Term Compost Care

 Week 8-  - Improving Low-Quality Compost

Week 9-   - Crafting & Applying Compost Extract

Week 10 -  Brewing Compost Tea: Building Microbial Armor for Plant Protection

Week 11 - Applying Liquid Amendments: Choosing the Right Method for Greater Impact

 Week 12 - Biological Planning: Structuring Your Growing Season for Efficiency and Impact

 Week 13 - Celebrating Our Soil Journey - Final Reflection

Program F.A.Q

1. When will the Soil Mentorship Program Start?

Program starts April 9 2026, weekly session time TBA.

2. What Do I Need to Do to Enroll?

Pay the $200 refundable deposit to hold your place, and then remainder invoice to secure your enrollment.

2.  How many students are in the program?

Minimum number of students needed is 20 for program to start.  Program is capped at 50 students.

 3. What is the time commitment?

We recommend at least 2-3 hours per week for group coaching, but more to complete all program challenges.

4. Is the program refundable?

All deposits are refundable and count towards your full tuition price.  If we do not meet enrollment numbers all deposits will be returned.

5. How Do I Secure Final Enrollment?

After paying a deposit, you'll get an invoice for the remainder owed to confirm final enrollment.

Enroll

What You'll Also Get...

  Self Paced Course Access

As part of the 2026 Live Program, you also get access to the full Compost Academy Self Paced Program.  With this partner program, you can learn at your own place with a multi-module course that will help you cut your learning curve for improving your soil fertility.  Includes deep dive lectures, coaching sesion replays, and practical demonstrations. 

 

-24 Practical Video Training Lessons

-6 Lesson Deep Dive Lectures

-13 Weeks Soil Mentorship Program Replays

See What's Possible With Biological 

Soil Restoration

Biological composting might seem like just a nice tool, but it has the power to bring back life to degraded landscapes by regenerating the soil biology of an ecosystem.

In this case study video, see how Compost Academy teachers Keisha and Casey Ernst and Brian Vagg restored landscapes after devastating fires, and creating thriving vineyards using only Biological Amendments.

 

Every Background, Every Context.

Some Compost Academy students are farmers looking to break down waste and turn it into income streams.  Some are professional composters.  Some are community composters. 

Some are aspiring soil consultants and ecological educators.  Everyone of them shares a passion for creating life by learning the process of Biological Composting.

Hear What  Students are Saying...

Nearly 100 students from around the world have came to the Compost Academy to solve their unique problems, improve their livelihoods, and come together from their love of Composting.   Here what they have to say about the Program...

 
Join the Program

Bonuses:

More gifts you'll get when you sign up for the Program.

Lifetime Access

You'll get lifetime acccess to the Self Paced Video Lessons and replays from the weekly program.

Free Access to Next Live Program

You'll get free access to the next live cohort program included with your price.

Discounts and Goodies

You'll get exclusive discounts to in person workshops and events, along with first access to programs and giveaways.

Start Your Journey to Soil Mastery

Why This Program Works:
This program is not about endless theory, It's about action. Each week builds on the last—first, you learn the fundamentals: soil biology fundamentals, scanning for microorganism, and the principles that make biologically effective compost.  Then we'll dive into practical lessons: selecting the right materials, constructing effective compost and extract systems, and troubleshooting common pitfalls. You'll get guidance from in field professionals, and get the support of a group that will challenge you to realize your vision for healthy fertile soil.
 
Our curriculum is structured to ensure you’re not only consuming content but actively applying it, resulting in  tangible results that save you time, money, and get you outcomes on your land. 
 

Ready to Join the Program?

Live Program

$1950

One Time Payemnt

  • 13 Week Live Soil Mentorship Program  ($2500 value)
  • Self Paced Essentials Course ($1500 Value)
  • Deep Dive Lecture Series ($1000 value)
  • Free Access to Next Live Program ($2500 value)
  • Discounts to Future Events
  • Lifetime Program Recording Access
Join Up

Live Program

$650/m

For Three Months.

  • 13 Week Live Soil Mentorship Program  ($2500 value)
  • Self Paced Essentials Course ($1500 Value)
  • Deep Dive Lecture Series ($1000 value)
  • Free Access to Next Live Program ($2500 value)
  • Discounts to Future Events
  • Lifetime Program Recording Access
Join Up

Want to talk to someone before you join?

We got you! You can give us a call at 530-559-6416

An Option to Go At Your Own Pace...

The Compost Academy Self Paced Program will give you self guided training with most of the same features and content of the Live Program at a lower price.  A great option for if you want to learn, but don't have the time for live mentorship.

Learn About Self Paced

Course Topic Overview

Get A Sneak Peak Into the Program

Just click the link below and you'll get access to some of the best parts of the program, including:

  • Biological Composting Lessons,
  • Compost Extract and Microscopy Training,
  •  Soil Biology and Large Scale Application Lectures
  • A two week preview of the Soil Mentorship Group Coaching Program

  Take a peak inside and see if the program is right for you.

The Compost Academy Intro Course

 Biological composting is more than just technique for breaking down food waste, it's the foundation for restoring the soil life and ecosystems.  We want to introduce you to the art form of composting.  In this free intro course, you'll get a look inside some of the lessons and coaching that are part of the Compost Academy Online Program.  In this introductory course, learn the fundamentals of thermophilic composting, composts extracts, teas, and practical soil foodweb studies. See real world case studies for how composting can regenerate soil fertility and help farms and landscapes thrive.  If you've wanted to learn the secrets of restoring soils and ecosystems, this is a great place to start.  

Free
Get Access