# 969: Remembering Dr. Elaine Ingham — Soil Food Web Pioneer

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-urban-farm-podcast-with-greg-peterson-1101746/969-remembering-dr-elaine-ingham-soil-food-web-pioneer
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-urban-farm-podcast-with-greg-peterson-1101746/969-remembering-dr-elaine-ingham-soil-food-web-pioneer.md
Podcast: [The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-urban-farm-podcast-with-greg-peterson-1101746)
Published: 2026-02-24T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.urbanfarm.org/989
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7473b471-d27c-4172-80bf-ccb2237338b5.mp3
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Duration seconds: 4132

## Resource

Honoring a soil building hero In this rebroadcast of Episode 185, Greg honors the late Dr. Elaine Ingham, a global leader in soil biology and founder of Soil Food Web Inc. Dr. Ingham shares her journey from childhood microbiology lessons to groundbreaking research on the soil food web. The episode explores composting, soil biology, succession, and how restoring microbial life can regenerate ecosystems and dramatically increase yields. Our Guest: Dr. Elaine Ingham is the Founder, President and Director of Research for Soil Foodweb Inc., a business that grew out of her Oregon State University research program. Behind her user-friendly approach to soil lies a wealth of knowledge gained from years of research into the organisms which make up the soil food web. Her goal is to translate this knowledge into actions that ensure a healthy food web that promotes plant growth and reduces reliance on inorganic chemicals. Elaine also offers a pioneering vision for sustainable farming, improving our current soils to a healthier state, without damaging any other ecosystem. In her spare time, Elaine publishes scientific papers, writes book chapters and gives talks at symposia around the world. Key Topics Elaine Ingham Soil Food Web Inc Oregon State University Environmental Protection Agency University of Georgia Colorado State University United Nations Monsanto Soil food web (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, microarthropods) Genetically engineered Klebsiella planticola Biosafety protocol debate Ecological succession and weeds Composting (thermal, vermicomposting, static) Soil microbiome and human health connection Key Questions Answered How did Dr. Elaine Ingham begin her journey into soil microbiology? Introduced to microscopes at age six by her veterinarian father, she develope…

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