How long is the workshop?

The workshop lasts approximately 2 hours.

What is the minimum age to attend?

Participants must be at least 12 years old to attend.

How large are groups?

Groups are capped at up to 30 people to keep the session interactive and the microscope view communal.

What is the cancellation policy?

Refunds can be requested up to 7 days before the start of a workshop with a cancellation fee of 10% of the ticket amount.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or email: cwatts@crabtreefarms.org if you have any questions.

Meet the Microorganisms: Soil Microbe Workshop at Crabtree Farms Chattanooga | Farm | Workshop

Q: Where do we meet?

Meeting point: Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407.

On a brisk evening at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407, you’ll step into a low-lit room where the usual subjects of outdoor education—plants, paths, and pollinators—give way to something smaller but no less vital: the soil microbiome. “2/19 - Meet the Microorganisms” is a two-hour, hands-on workshop that projects live microscopic views onto a big screen so the whole group can watch bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes in motion. It’s an intimate, scientific jam session for gardeners, land stewards, and anyone curious what makes healthy soil hum.

Instructor Krisi Olivero brings both practical experience and formal training: she is a biological soil specialist based in Chattanooga, TN, and co-owns Alter Eco Farms, the only current distributor of live native microorganism amendments in the greater Chattanooga area. She trained with Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School and guides participants through identification, function, and the role microbes play in nutrient cycling and plant resilience.

The session centers on real samples: participants compare soil from different local sites and discuss what those differences mean for plant health. Together you’ll learn to read indicators in the microscope feed—signs of active decomposition, fungal networks that shuttle nutrients, and microscopic grazers that regulate bacterial populations. If you care for a garden, community plot, or small farm, the workshop translates microscopy into tangible steps to restore soil balance: inoculation with beneficial organisms, changes to composting and mulching, and reduced disturbance to protect fragile microbial networks.

Why this matters in Chattanooga: the region’s characteristic red clay and Ultisol soils present challenges for water retention and nutrient availability; understanding microbial communities offers a leverage point for regeneration. The format—projected microscopy, group discussion, and local sample comparison—makes complex science accessible and immediately useful.

This experience is also a community moment: Crabtree Farms serves as a local gathering space, and the class size (up to 30 people) creates room for questions and hands-on learning. Expect a practical, evidence-based session rather than abstract theory, and leave with clear next steps for improving soil biology in your home landscape. Whether you garden for food, habitat, or simply curiosity, "Meet the Microorganisms" reframes the ground beneath your feet as a living system you can read and support.

The workshop runs two hours and welcomes participants age 12 and up, with groups capped at 30 to keep the microscope view communal and interactive. Refunds can be requested up to 7 days before the workshop with a 10% cancellation fee. Bring curiosity and a notebook; the class prioritizes hands-on learning and leaves you with practical actions to improve soil health at home or on community plots. Sign up through the provided booking link to reserve your spot today.