Elaine Ingham, an American microbiologist, died on February 24, 2026.
She was a soil biology researcher and the founder of Soil Foodweb Inc. and the Soil Foodweb School.
Ingham was known for her work in soil microbiology and research on the soil food web. She also coauthored the USDA’s Soil Biology Primer and was influential in the regenerative agriculture movement. In 1981, she earned a PhD from Colorado State University in microbiology with an emphasis in soil. She later held research appointments at the University of Georgia and Oregon State University, where she remained on the faculty until 2001.
Elaine Ingham (June 26, 1952 – February 16, 2026) was an American microbiologist and soil biology researcher and founder of Soil Foodweb Inc. and the Soil Foodweb School. She was known as a leader in soil microbiology and research of the soil food web. She was an author of the USDA’s Soil Biology Primer and was influential in the regenerative agriculture movement.