Soil health and biodiversity are closely linked to human health. Despite this, we currently know very little about interactions between gardeners and soil microbes, even though gardening offers extensive opportunities for such interactions. Whether exposure to soil microbes differs by gardeners’ management practices (e.g organic versus not organic), crop types, or regional climate is also unknown.
Dr. Gwynne Mhuireach of IHBE and Dr. Gail Langellotto of Oregon State University are recruiting gardeners to participate in a research study that will: (1) characterize the soil microbial communities in gardens, (2) investigate the degree of soil microbe transfer to skin, and (3) assess the persistence of microbes on skin, over time. We will also study how soil microbial communities vary by management practices, crop types, and regional climate.
In this webinar, we will provide an overview of our research project, and will provide interested gardeners an opportunity to apply to participate.
NOTE: for this particular study, we are limiting our study to gardens in the high desert or in the Willamette Valley.
More information from the recent webinar can be found here.
Screening survey for eligibility can be found here.