I must personally thank you for opening up a new source of knowledge for myself. Your course (Organic Soil Management) has given me a greater understanding of the complexity of nature, and more importantly a source to gain further understanding.The training has confirmed that I was instinctively doing the right things, now I have a little more understanding of why, and the tools to gain greater knowledge understanding. Thank you! Thank you! Your book has become my new bed time reading. Not sure if my wife will thank you as I lose track of time and read into the night.
Allen MacDonald, Irrigation Technician

Thank you again for an awesome Organic Master Gardener Course. I feel very fortunate to be amongst the first graduating class. As I have said to you in person, the course has been life-changing for me, giving me a deeper, richer, more respectful and more aware relationship with my planet, ecosystem, and personal life.

Anne Finlay, Victoria

I have been thinking about what I learned yesterday during our lecture all day today. I saw the world around me in a deeply profound way today, almost in the same wonderment I felt as a child or young adolescent growing up near the woods, being in them and feeling that deep ecological connection with everything. I felt for a long time something had been misplaced for me. Sometimes we lose that ability to see the wonderment as we did, but yesterday instilled in me a memory and also a new way of appreciating the sacredness I once felt but in a mature way.

Chris Muscat

I think that the OMG was the single most enjoyable course I have taken (independent of a program). I think the course has taught me an immense amount, so much so that I don't even think I know how to put it into words. This year I am planning on growing most of my own food, not just eating from my garden.... but preserving it for the winter and also growing cold storage crops, and having a cold frame for some delectables to stay in the ground. I am doing this for my soul, and for the love of food that has taste!

Charlese Nan

Course is awesome; Connie is awesome; participants are totally awesome; I am soooo grateful. Thank you for this!

Marilyn Bowker

Firstly, my biggest feeling coming away from that marvelous, inspiring course, was a feeling of hope. I truly felt hopeful and convinced that we, us gardeners and farmers, could in fact address the overwhelming insults our beautiful earth is suffering, one garden, farm, public space, purchase, letter, etc. at a time. We are an amazing force, and once we all start learning how great Nature's toolbox is (that kind of knowledge Gaia College is teaching), then it's possible and within our grasp to right all the wrongs. After taking the OMG course, I felt empowered, hopeful and motivated to get the message out to others that we can make a difference and we fix this and we can be a powerful, collective force of change.

Margo

I just wanted to say thanks for a great 2 month period, the class really opened my eyes to things I had thought about, but never really had any idea as to the depth that organic gardening practices really reach. I could not be happier with what I learned and the experiences gained. I enjoyed every minute of it and you made the process very approachable and fun.
Kristopher Rogerson

Loved the course and can't believe how much it has changed my gardening practices. I read the textbook from cover to cover and plan to read it again. Never did this with any of my university texts!
Frances Holbrook

It's incredible the changes that have happened in my life because of the Organic Master Gardener Course I signed up for in 2010. I can't even remember what led me to this class and how I found it. I just know that I have found my "calling". THANK YOU GAIA COLLEGE! I am continually learning this art of organic gardening and find I am pushed over the edge with joy whenever I hear someone new wanting to start a small veggie bed!
Lorelie Shoesmith

Thanks for a wonderful Organic Master Gardener course! This course has given me much more science and practical wisdom for use in our gardens and our large St. Joseph's Organic Community Garden.
Linda Gregg, Toronto

I really enjoyed the course and all the hands on experience. I found it inspiring and it has helped encourage healthy changes in our landscapes and in my own back yard. It was truly a great environment for the group to share problems and come up with organic solutions for everyday issues with our businesses and residences. It allowed a renewed confidence in the process and educational information that I can pass along to those around me, co-workers, associates, family and friends.
Lynette Twigge

“Gaia College changed my way of thinking; chemical free is the way to go”

Sandra Hertel

I cannot begin to express how much this course, along with the OMG class have changed my worldview. I was already there I think but having the sound information from which to work makes a huge difference. Now, when I try something in the yard, I know why it will work or at least I know better how to find out why. I have developed skills to make a longterm plan and the confidence to see it through, with the understanding that my mistakes and missteps won’t harm everything in the process. Now all I have to do is decide which class to take next! Any suggestions are welcome!

Cheers and many thanks,

Jen 

“I know how special Gaia is.  I’ve recommended your courses to whomever shows a little interest in gardening, that’s there’s so much more.  I know one gal has taken me up on it and enrolled in your OMG course.  She said it’s tough but loving it - I did warn & encourage her.”

Kim M, OMG, Vancouver BC

"Every time I go out for another trip in the woods for whatever reason, this once alien landscape is beginning to speak to me clearly."

Bertrand B.

I am very grateful for the Gaia College courses because I can actually answer the questions that my clients have and sell them on things they didn't even know existed!
Elly Cruickshank, Organic Landscaper

I have found the program extremely helpful in operating my business. I now have a lot more knowledge and the confidence to make the right choices.
Michael Cowan, Organic Landscaper

Finding out about SOUL and Gaia college was like an answer to a major question. I am now enrolled in this unique class that helps me recap and expand my knowledge, meet lots of friendly soulmates, and better my chances for making a living in the industry in a meaningful way. Already I had numerous "a-ha!" moments. Those "How is this important?" links are fantastic!
Christina Nikolic, Landscape Architect

Thank you so much Heide, for your advice on this matter and also for the fabulous programs you have compiled. The OMG really sparked my passion for gardening/landscaping into full flame. I look forward to meeting you one day. The OMG has provided me with a new way to 'dig' my work, a challenging way to look at our whole industry. I think this "Shifting Paradigm" is timely and necessary for those of us who love and honor Mother Earth!
Valerie Deakin

It is the best course I have ever taken and probably one of the best things I have done in my life so far, for a number of reasons, but mostly because the knowledge we gained in the class is invaluable and cannot be bought or acquired anywhere. I thank you also for bringing a lot of energy into the class and you made it fun to be there... I think everyone should learn about organic gardening and organic living. I want other people to learn the same things I did and then educate other people as well. I think with this "snowball" effect, we might eventually have a large percentage of the population engaging in organic gardening, which would be amazing.
Erik Mraz

Thanks again for doing such a great job with the OMG course. It’s provided lots of great resources that I’ve been able to pull from. Just recently the local community gardeners were asking us... and whether or not it truly is organic. Between the resources on the Gaia website and Soul, I was able to answer all their questions and provide them with the tools for more educated opinions around labeling. That’s just one example, I use the information the course provided weekly, and my position at LEPS doesn’t focus on gardening! Kim Greenwood
Special Projects Coordinator
Langley Environmental Partners Society

We who tend the land and garden are not to be underestimated. We collectively have the power and ability to nourish the body and soul; create beauty around us; heal an environmental wound; create school, memorial, dedication, guerrilla, teaching and public gardens, to name a few; return an area back to it's natural state, add value to properties; delight children and adults alike; create habitats for many living creatures; create retreats and places of meditation as well as playgrounds and community parks; address erosion and water problems and help to ward off famine. Gardening, like music, is one of the few common languages throughout the world and helps to unite us all.

Margo

This course has given me a much deeper understanding of gardens and agroecosystems, how damaging conventional growing methods have been, and how a holistic organic approach offers many advantages, benefits and opportunities. Particularly, I'm grateful for the way you and the other instructors presented the practice of organic gardening within the context of a bigger picture, including ethical considerations and providing important reminders of the limits of the science.

Ian

"I have found the courses at Gaia College to be relevant and leading edge in ecological design. Whether it is in person or online, they facilitate ongoing connection between environmentally conscious students and teachers that has been helpful for educational and occupational opportunities."

Laura Walker

"When covid forced me out of an occupation I had for over 10 years, I was keen to retrain and follow my heart’s desire: being a better gardener. After a search online, I found Gaia College and started with the Organic Master Gardener course, taught by Astrid. She was a wonderful, patient instructor and her passion for organic and ecological gardening was contagious! That was the start.

From there I took as many courses as possible until a new career focus took hold of me: becoming a landscape designer, fine tuned by Ken’s superb teaching of the Sketch Up and Ecological Landscape Design courses. Christina’s Natives I course was excellent for combining all the previously taught courses.

Gaia College was instrumental in forming a new career path for me, as well as being a welcoming and exciting forum of like-minded individuals that want to do something to help heal our planet, one garden at a time."

Sarah Valentine

"I am grateful for the education I got through Gaia College. The program is well laid out and covers the widest range of topics I could find. I am confident in my skills and knowledge after taking this program. I'm also happy to report that within 6 months of completion I have a wonderful full time job tending an amazing organic garden!"

Melanie Isles

I just wanted to share some pics of my garden this year. After taking my gardening course in the spring, I did everything I could to bring "life" back into my soil and this is what I got. The potatoes were left over from last year - they did not grow bigger than a small plum last year. I am so impressed and grateful for this new found knowledge. What is most amazing is that - what I added to my garden was all organic and really easy to get item that were not purchased at any store.

Love, Nancy

I have been gardening organically (meaning no restricted pesticides) for 25 years (10 years on Gabriola) and now I have the language, science and tools to confirm what I knew all along intuitively. I'm so excited to apply this course to my market garden at home and do an even better job at growing food through sustainable and ethical methods.

Tara Qua, Gabriola Island

I am working hard this week, fermenting, canning, drying and freezing. I am thrilled to have found Gaia College and to have been connected to Haliburton Farms and especially to have Elmarie as a teacher. I will certainly share the program with friends and family who might be interested in taking the course for themselves.
Kami Malone

I want to send my thanks to each of you - I learned so much from all the stories and information you shared. I absolutely enjoyed the Growing Food course, and my 2014 garden is proof of the great education I received.
Deanna Enman

Christina, I would also like to thank you for your great instruction throughout the OMG and the plant knowledge course. You're wealth of knowledge and passion for what you teach is incredibly informative and inspiring. So....thank you, it was a pleasure to be in your classes.

Jesse Matthies

Heide,

I just needed to take a moment to thank you. Teaching the Organic Master Gardener Course has totally reactivated my sense of curiosity and wonder about the way plants interact in their ecosystem and the way the soil works. I am constantly amazed at how my understanding deepens every time I teach. I get a lot of good feedback on the depth of my knowledge, and I know I have you to thank for a huge chunk of that knowledge. Thank you for being a teacher to me, as well as a friend.
Connie

Gaia College is great for online learning, great format, loads of information! If you are someone who loves to keep busy, learning new things, I highly recommend online learning with Gaia.
Jolene Brooks

"I highly recommend taking any course through Gaia College! They are the leader in Organic Land Care and whether you take one course or pursue their Diploma program you will be thankful for their evidence based, in depth courses and the supportive expertise of their amazing teachers/facilitators. Their courses teach you everything you need to care for the land whether you're a hobby gardener or a landscape professional you will leave with the knowledge and resources to succeed in truly caring for the land as Mother Nature desired."

Spencer Curran