Fungus Workshop 1 A journey in the mycobiome
DATE
LOCATION
Bibbaringa The WoolShed
1268 Wymah Rd, Bowna NSW 2644
(North of Albury)
EVENT SUMMARY
Dirt Matters – A journey in the mycobiome
Dirt Matters – A journey in the mycobiome. This interactive workshop explores the role of fungi in soils and ecosystems, as recyclers and plant companions. Learn about major fungus groups, how to identify them, their ecology and natural and cultural history, through displayed specimens and a field trip. The course will run from the Bibbaringa Woolshed on a Regenerative Farm between Albury and Holbrook.
The need to produce high quality food while minimising environmental damage is one of the biggest challenges for Australian agriculturalists. Healthy biological soils are crucial to plant health including our food crops. In turn, human health depends on high food quality and hence good soil health.
We now know there is a greater biomass of living microorganisms within than above the soil. Modern agriculture with its intensive use of chemicals, fertilisers and mechanical disturbance has largely eliminated these organisms. However, innovative biological farmers are turning things around through 'ecological intensification' – that is, by fostering the microbes within soils with the aim to replace anthropogenic inputs and tilling practices. Central to this is an understanding of how symbioses between plants, fungi and other organisms function.
This workshop provides an overview of the vital significance of fungi in soils and the important roles they play in providing soil architecture, retaining water, increasing nutrient availability and maximising ecosystem resilience. Greater attention to fungal-plant relationships can help us move beyond current expensive and unsustainable farming practices. This is especially pertinent in the context of a changing climate and water scarcity.
The workshop includes an interactive and illustrated seminar on the major fungal groups, the basics of fungus identification, fungal ecology, and the natural and cultural history of fungi. Fungus specimens from the local area will be displayed, discussed and examined during the workshop.
PROGRAM
10:00 Exploring the fungus display
10:30 Introduction to fungal ecology – seminar, images & specimens
11:30 Morning Tea
12.00 Interactive fungus identification session with specimens and fungus resources
13:00 Lunch
13:45 Fungus foray in local environments
16:00 Close
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