Science-Based Soil Solutions

Restore the Earth Beneath Our Feet

Black Earth Soil Lab helps growers, schools, institutions, and communities understand, restore, and steward healthy soil through science-based assessment, regenerative consulting, and environmental STEM education.

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10
Core School Modules
K–12
Grade Range
3
Service Pillars
Soil scientist at microscope
Science in Action Lab Analysis · Field Work · Education
🧪 Soil Assessment
·
🌱 Regenerative Consulting
·
📚 STEM Education
·
🏫 School Programs
·
🤝 Community Impact
Our Approach

Healthy Soil Is the Foundation of Everything

We bridge the gap between soil science and everyday communities — offering assessment, education, and restoration services grounded in regenerative principles and genuine community impact.

🔬
Science-based assessment
Precision soil analysis covering biology, chemistry, and structure.
🌿
Regenerative consulting
Actionable restoration plans for growers, institutions, and land stewards.
📚
Environmental STEM education
Living Soil Lab™ modules bringing hands-on science to students K–12.
"Soil is not just dirt — it's a living ecosystem that sustains every bite of food and every breath of air."
1 in
of topsoil takes 500+ years to form
1B+
organisms in a teaspoon of healthy soil
What We Offer

Our Services

From lab analysis to school workshops, we provide science-backed soil health solutions for every context.

🧪

Soil Health Assessment

Comprehensive soil testing covering biology, nutrient cycling, water-holding capacity, and ecosystem health. Includes a detailed report with actionable recommendations.

🌱

Regenerative Consulting

Custom restoration and management plans for farms, urban gardens, institutional grounds, and community green spaces.

🏫

Living Soil Lab™ School Programs

Our signature program bringing soil science to life through 10 hands-on modules for grades K–12. Available as workshops, classroom visits, STEM days, and after-school programs.

Ready to Restore Your Soil?

Whether you're a grower, school administrator, or community leader — we have a solution for you.

Book a Consultation
Our Story

About Black Earth Soil Lab

We believe healthy communities grow from healthy soil. Our work sits at the intersection of science, education, and regenerative stewardship.

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The Founder

Meet Nina Drumgoole

Nina Drumgoole — Founder of Black Earth Soil Lab
Nina Drumgoole Founder · Black Earth Soil Lab
"Healthy soil is the foundation of resilient ecosystems, thriving food systems, and sustainable communities."

Black Earth Soil Lab was founded by Nina Drumgoole — an environmental educator, entrepreneur, urban farmer, author, and aspiring soil scientist dedicated to helping people better understand the living systems beneath their feet.

Her journey began with a passion for growing food and building stronger communities through agriculture. Through years of hands-on farming, environmental education, and community engagement, she recognized that healthy soil is the foundation of resilient ecosystems, thriving food systems, and sustainable communities.

Driven by a commitment to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application, Nina created Black Earth Soil Lab to make soil science more accessible, actionable, and impactful — combining scientific inquiry, regenerative principles, and environmental education to support growers, schools, organizations, and communities seeking healthier relationships with the land.

Today, Black Earth Soil Lab serves as both a consulting and educational platform, helping clients understand soil health, explore biological systems, strengthen climate resilience, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

What Drives Us

Our Core Pillars

🔬

Science First

All programs and assessments are grounded in peer-reviewed soil science and evidence-based practice.

🌱

Regenerative

We prioritize building lasting soil health using regenerative principles that restore ecological function.

📚

Educational

We believe environmental literacy starts with understanding the ground beneath us — at every age.

🤝

Community

Healthy soil is a shared resource. Our work centers equity, access, and lasting community impact.

Start with a Conversation

Tell us about your land, your school, or your community. We'll find the right solution together.

Book a Consultation
What We Offer

Our Services

Science-based solutions tailored to growers, educators, institutions, and communities seeking healthier relationships with the land.

Request a Consultation →
🧪

Soil Health Assessment

Comprehensive soil testing measuring biological activity, nutrient cycling, water-holding capacity, and ecosystem health. Includes a full report with actionable recommendations.

Request an Assessment →
🌱

Regenerative Consulting

Custom restoration and management plans for farms, urban gardens, institutional grounds, and community green spaces. Science translated into practical stewardship.

Book a Consultation →
🏫

Living Soil Lab™ School Programs

Our signature program brings soil science to life through 10 hands-on modules for grades K–12. Workshops, classroom visits, STEM days, and after-school programs available.

📊

Soil Monitoring & Reporting

Ongoing soil health tracking with seasonal reports to document progress and continually refine your restoration strategy over time.

Get Started →
🎓

Professional Development

Workshops for educators and community leaders to build soil literacy and integrate environmental science into their existing programs and curricula.

Schedule a Workshop →
🤝

Community Partnerships

Long-term partnerships with nonprofits, municipalities, and institutions to embed soil health into community resilience and environmental planning.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Book a free discovery call and we'll help identify the right services for your goals.

Living Soil Lab™

School Programs

Science-based, hands-on environmental STEM education for grades K–12. Our signature workshop formula brings soil to life in every classroom.

Request School Programming Info →
The Black Earth Signature

The Living Soil Lab™ Workshop Formula

Every module follows the same proven inquiry-driven structure.

1
Learn
PowerPoint Presentation
10–15 minutes
2
Observe
Microscope · Specimens
10–15 minutes
3
Experience
Hands-On Activity
20–30 minutes
4
Reflect
Group Discussion
5–10 minutes
Total: 60–90 min · Grades 3–12 · Workshop · Classroom Visit · STEM Day · After-School Program
Featured Learning Modules

10 Core Modules

Click any module to explore the full description, learning objectives, and hands-on activities.

Module 01

What Is Soil?

Explore the building blocks of healthy soil and discover why it's one of Earth's most critical natural resources.

ElementaryMiddleHigh School
→
Module 02

Meet the Microbes

Go microscopic and discover the billions of organisms living in a single teaspoon of healthy soil.

ElementaryMiddleHigh School
→
Module 03

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Soil

Compare thriving soil ecosystems with degraded ones and understand the human and environmental causes.

ElementaryMiddleHigh School
→
Module 04

Composting & Decomposition

Investigate how organic matter breaks down and why decomposition is the engine of soil fertility.

ElementaryMiddleHigh School
→
Module 05

Roots & Soil Relationships

Uncover the hidden partnership between plant roots, mycorrhizal fungi, and soil structure.

MiddleHigh School
→
Module 06

Worms & Soil Food Webs

Meet earthworms and trace the incredible web of life that transforms organic matter into nutrients.

ElementaryMiddle
→
Module 07

Soil & Climate Resilience

Examine how healthy soil sequesters carbon, mitigates flooding, and builds climate resilience.

MiddleHigh School
→
Module 08

Soil & Water

Discover how soil texture and health affect water infiltration, retention, and quality.

ElementaryMiddleHigh School
→
Module 09

Urban Agriculture & Food Systems

Connect soil health to food justice, urban farming, and the pathways from soil to plate.

MiddleHigh School
→
Module 10

Careers in Soil & Environmental Science

Explore the diverse career pathways that start with soil — from ecology to environmental engineering.

MiddleHigh School
→
For Administrators

Curriculum Matrix

See at a glance which modules are available for each grade band.

ModuleElementary (K–5)Middle (6–8)High School (9–12)
01 — What Is Soil?✓✓✓
02 — Meet the Microbes✓✓✓
03 — Healthy vs. Unhealthy Soil✓✓✓
04 — Composting & Decomposition✓✓✓
05 — Roots & Soil Relationships✓✓
06 — Worms & Soil Food Webs✓✓
07 — Soil & Climate Resilience✓✓
08 — Soil & Water✓✓✓
09 — Urban Agriculture & Food Systems✓✓
10 — Careers in Soil & Environmental Science✓✓
Request School Programming Info →

Ready to Bring the Living Soil Lab™ to Your Students?

Customize any module as a standalone workshop or combine multiple for a richer STEM experience.

Request Program Guide
Request Program Guide →
Get in Touch

Contact Us

Whether you're a grower, school administrator, or community organization — we'd love to connect and explore how we can help.

How Can We Help?

Choose the right path below or fill out the form and we'll get back to you.

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👥

Send Us a Message

Use our inquiry form to tell us about your goals, property, school, or organization. The form will open in a new tab.

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