[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”TBVS – Light – Content 9″ module_class=”tbvs-section-light” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”ffefe2d7-fe4d-4226-a5ef-9f2dc47a14ae” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mudvalley.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MVF-SOIL-LAB-logo-landscape-location-main-screen.png” alt=”Soil Lab logo” title_text=”MVF-SOIL-LAB-logo-landscape-location-main-screen” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”left” max_height=”120px” max_height_tablet=”140px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|||-20px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” module_alignment_last_edited=”off|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Soil Lab was created with two purposes in mind: to use science to improve soil health for land stewards and to help educate everyone about the importance of soil regeneration.<\/p>\n
Our scientific research supports better results in the field. We identify methods that regenerate degraded soil and increase crop yields, leading to better ecological and economic results for local farmers, foresters, vintners, and workers in the field of agroecology.<\/p>\n
The Soil Lab also engages in a variety of other activities to support ecosystem restoration efforts in our local area and bioregion, including work in the field, citizen science programs, and education for regeneration for youth as well as adults.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”TBVS – Light – Call To Action 2″ module_class=”tbvs-section-light” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”100px||100px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding=”60px|150px|60px|150px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|18px||18px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”ffefe2d7-fe4d-4226-a5ef-9f2dc47a14ae” header_2_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Soil is more than just dirt beneath our feet; it\u2019s the foundation of life, the source of our sustenance, and a reminder of our connection to the Earth. Let\u2019s honor this precious relationship by protecting, regenerating, and cherishing the Earth \u2014 for a healthier planet, a thriving community, and a more mindful way of living.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”e07ea7c3-74cf-4e56-adac-067319c9e2e1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/bkn-TqiZelA” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” display_conditions=”W10=” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 See the video in portuguese here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”TBVS – Light – Testimonials 9″ module_class=”tbvs-section-light” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-463fe3dc-cb3d-43c1-986b-2b4b0abaa92c” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-463fe3dc-cb3d-43c1-986b-2b4b0abaa92c%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_padding=”|25px|||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|25px||25px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”||||true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”ffefe2d7-fe4d-4226-a5ef-9f2dc47a14ae” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”e07ea7c3-74cf-4e56-adac-067319c9e2e1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mudvalley.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Soil-image.jpg” title_text=”Soil-image” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”75%” max_width_tablet=”65%” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”left” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Soil Lab leverages the combined efforts of trained scientists and experienced practitioners of regeneration and ecosystem regeneration to conduct its research and activities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”35px|35px|35px|35px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”25px|25px|25px|25px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Elodie da Silva” position=”Chief Scientist” image_url=”https:\/\/mudvalley.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Dr-Elodie-da-Silva-soil-biologist.jpg” icon_color=”#0000FF” use_icon_font_size=”on” module_class=”tbvs-person-circle-icon” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|600|||||||” header_text_color=”gcid-heading-color” header_font_size=”18px” header_line_height=”1.1em” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_text_color=”#333333″ position_font=”–et_global_body_font|600|||||||” position_text_color=”gcid-89f30470-60e2-4f62-9930-b3c11e531654″ position_font_size=”15px” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_member_image=”max-width: 130px!important;||display: inline-block;||margin-bottom: 20px!important;||float: left;” custom_css_member_description=”margin-left: 150px!important;” border_radii_image=”on|50%|50%|50%|50%” box_shadow_style_image=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-89f30470-60e2-4f62-9930-b3c11e531654%22:%91%22position_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22header_text_color%22%93}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” icon_color__hover=”#181818″ custom_css_member_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_member_image_tablet=”max-width: 100px!important;||display: inline-block;||margin: 0;||margin-bottom: 20px!important;||float: left;” custom_css_member_description_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_member_description_tablet=”display: block!important;||margin-left: 125px!important;” custom_css_member_image_phone=”max-width: 100px!important;||display: inline-block;||margin: 0;||margin-bottom: 20px!important;||float: none;” custom_css_member_description_phone=”margin-left: 0!important;”][\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. da Silva leads the efforts of the Soil Lab at Mud Valley Foundation. She is responsible for setting up and executing tests and experiments, academic research, monitoring and evaluation of soil-related metrics at Quinta Vale da Lama, and creating new content and services for the Soil Lab. She holds a PhD in Soil Sciences, Universit\u00e9 Paris-Est Cr\u00e9teil (UPEC), with extensive research and working experience in soil quality, monitoring, and evaluation in Brazil and Portugal. She is passionate about sharing soil and compost topics in different educational contexts and programs.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”TBVS – Light – Call To Action 2″ module_id=”next” module_class=”tbvs-section-light” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”24px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”60px|150px|60px|150px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|25px||25px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”ffefe2d7-fe4d-4226-a5ef-9f2dc47a14ae” header_2_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Soil Lab at Mud Valley Foundation engages in a variety of activities to support soil regeneration and ecosystem restoration efforts in our local bioregion.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”45a17be5-ea01-49d6-9eb9-e57b9b6dcbcc” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-89f30470-60e2-4f62-9930-b3c11e531654%22:%91%22icon_color%22,%22toggle_text_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22toggle_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22open_toggle_text_color%22,%22icon_color__hover%22,%22toggle_text_color__hover%22,%22open_toggle_text_color%22,%22icon_color__hover%22,%22toggle_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22body_text_color%22,%22body_text_color%22%93}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Conduct scientific research” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We set up and conduct scientific research related to improving soil quality and how to apply it to real world contexts. We also share our results freely, so that others may use the information.<\/p>\n For example, in late 2023 we ran a 6-week field experiment to show how the addition of good soil microbes through worm castings extracts can improve agricultural production. You can read more about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n We also coordinate and work with local universities as a part of our research efforts. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Monitor and take action on soil quality metrics” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n We set up and conduct measurement exercises and plots at our Quinta Vale da Lama<\/a> location to understand how healthy the soil is in different locations around the farm. We use 12 metrics from the Ecosystem Restoration Communitites<\/a> Soil Framework to assess and categorize soil health, and established a baseline in Spring 2024. These areas will be monitored for the next few years to understand the change in soil health. We also support other local farms with this type of work.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Aggregate soil, water, and biodiversity data” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n A part of our role as a Bioregional Learning Center<\/a> is to serve as a centralized resource to collect, analyze, and disseminate regeneration-related data and findings. We will do that by being a repository not just for data from our Qunita Vale da Lama location, but other participating farms and locations within the region. This will enable us to serve as a hub for knowledge sharing. Searchable, shareable databases that anyone can access will be developed in the near future, as we gather a sufficient quantity of data.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Create educational content and citizen science programs” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n A critical part of our work is to educate, inspire, and encourage our local communities to learn about the importance of supporting living soil in ecosystem restoration. Therefore, we are developing materials, activities, and programs for local schools, groups, and nonprofits, as well as the community at large, focused on soil health and improvement.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Offer soil assessment and improvement services ” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n We are expanding our work beyond the walls of Quinta Vale da Lama<\/a> to assist other local farmers and land stewards in their soil health improvement efforts. By developing a service offering consisting of onsite testing, baseline establishment, and improvement implementation support, we can work to increase our overall impact in the bioregion.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”e07ea7c3-74cf-4e56-adac-067319c9e2e1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”60px|150px|60px|150px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|40px|60px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|25px||25px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”ffefe2d7-fe4d-4226-a5ef-9f2dc47a14ae” header_2_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”0d7125e8-6144-4e5e-b524-b89530281cb3″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nScientists and practitioners come together to make a difference.<\/h2>\n
What we do at the Soil Lab<\/h2>\n
Measurement and analysis<\/h2>\n