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The Compost Academy 2026 Live Training Program 

Stop guessing.  Start producing biological compost, extracts, and teas that restore soil health, reduce inputs, and deliver real results — anywhere in the world. 

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

The Problem With Bad Compost and Soil Amendments

 

Compost is not all created equal.  High quality, Biological Compost can regenerate landscapes at scale, and create the conditions for resilient plants and a healthy soil foodweb.    Low-quality compost on the other hand, is a waste product that can damage your soils, and leave you dependent on chemicals and fertilizers.  Thankfully, there's a better way...

 

We want to teach you the systems to make Biological Soil Amendments and Composts that will save you:

 

  • Time:  ( Save hundreds of hours of trial and error crafting systems and ingredients from scratch)
  • Money and Inputs: (Save thousands or more per acre by cutting down on chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and commercial composts).
  • Yields: (Produce Soil Amendments with Biological quality you can see under microscope and will help your plants)

 

Many Soil Education courses teach the science and theory (which is important), but we want to teach you the methods used by working professionals to get consistent results with high quality, high value Biologically Complete Composts.

 

 What You Can Do With Compost Academy  

 

The Compost Academy Live Training Program is 13 week, guided training program that teaches you how compost biology actually works — so you can reproduce results wherever need them.

 

After this training, you can:


- Build high-quality composts that are biologically rich and diverse.
- Produce compost extracts and teas that actually deliver biology and help soils and plants.
- Produce compost that is free of pathogens, weeds and seeds
- Create replicable recipes and methods that will allow you to keep producing Biologically-Complete Composts.
- Verify compost quality instead of hoping it works.
- Reduce or eliminate synthetic fertilizers and chemicals with in-field biological case studies.

-Gain confidence in a system, not just theory or formula.

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

Module 1: Creating Biological Compost 

Learn to build a compost pile step-by-step: material collection, storage, preparation, layering, watering basics, mixing turns, and activating microbes with extracts for thriving decomposition.

Lesson 1: Composting Site Selection

Lesson 2: Storing Compost Materials

Lesson 3: Compost Material Preparation

Lesson 4: Compost Recipe and Material Overview

Lesson 5: Hand Tools and Composting Equipment

Lesson 6: Compost Build Part 1 +Biological Innoculation

Lesson 7: Compost Build Part 2

Lesson 8: Compost Build Part 3

Lesson 9: Tool Cleaning

Lesson 10: Compost Mixing Part 1

Lesson 11: Compost Mixing Part 2

Module 2: Compost Maintenance and Turning

Here you'll learn all about Compost Maintenance and Turning Methods; including monitoring turning temperatures, monitoring and maintaining moisture, and following the right turning techniques. 

 

Lesson 12: Moisture Testing

Lesson 13: Temperature Monitoring

Lesson 14: Moisture Testing Part 2 and Moisture Management

Lesson 15: Compost Turning Overview (Live Workshop)

Lesson 16: Compost Turning Summary

 

Module 3: Applying Soil Biology

This section will show you how to make and apply biological compost extract, as well as how to apply compost to your soil.  Learn the most effective method for scaling and applying biological amendments.   

Lesson 17: Compost Extract Tool Check

Lesson 18: Making Compost Extract

Lesson 19: Applying Compost Extract

Lesson 20: Applying Compost 

Module 4: Soil Microbiology Adventure

Go on an adventure into the biology of the soil.  Collect samples, and get an orientation into the microscope so you can start analyzing the biology in your soil and compost.

Lesson 21: Soil Microbiology Adventure

Lesson 22: Microscope Orientation 

Lesson 23: Live Soil Exploration

Deep Dive Lectures

Taken from our live retreats and workshops, the lecture series dive into some of the most important, seldom taught lessons about Soil Biology, Composting, Case Studies, Microbiology and more.

Series Includes:

Composting 101

Biological and Conventional Composting

Large Scale Biological Projects

Compost Application and Liquid Amendments

Microbes Unleashed

Meet the Microbes

 

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...

 
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Value

What Makes this Program Worth it?

 
Consultations with Biological and Composting Professionals are expensive. You could spend thousands of dollars on one-on-one consultations and still not get results.  You could also spend tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours experimenting with your own systems and make mistakes that could cost you precious time and money.  Instead of going at it alone,  we want to help you with learning and gaining experience alongside a motivated group of people just like you.
 
The Compost Academy team created our program to help clients of every size, from small landscapers, to farms across hundreds of acres.   This program was designed to help cut your learning curve and get you results based on your own actions, so you can start implementing biological systems that will cut toxic chemicals, cut costs, and help you get better results on your land faster.    
 
More than just advice, we want to help you learn the artform of Biological Composting.
 

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
  • $200 refundable deposit
Make Your Deposit

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
  • $200 refundable deposit
Make Your Deposit

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