The three-day course on soil profile investigation methods hosted by Kai Sako and Shoko Nakano from Sho Farm offers a practical approach to assessing soil health using just a shovel. This training focused on fieldwork and hands-on observation techniques that were tested on multiple fields on the farm. We examined various soil types, using our senses to gather data, which provided a comprehensive understanding of soil conditions. The course emphasised the importance of democratising soil assessment, ensuring that even new farmers can apply these skills independently and effectively.