About Ea Murphy

Ea (Elizabeth) Murphy is a soil scientist and author of Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach (Cool Springs Press, 2015). Her passion for growing food led to a master’s degree from University of California, Davis, where she researched the fundamentals of soil organic matter and sustainable ways to improve it. She has worked on farms, with urban gardens, in environmental restoration, in agroecological research, and for Oregon State University Extension. With twenty years of hands-on practical experience and the latest research in soil health to back her up, she shares the simple truth that to grow more, we need to do less. She has shared the message of living soil with audiences across the country, including appearances on King 5’s New Day Northwest, WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden, and PRI’s Science Friday.

Based in Tacoma, Washington her love of soil takes her on adventures within her community and around the world. One thing she believes: the future of our planet depends on bringing soil to life, where ever we are.