Soil is a living and life-giving substance, without which we would perish.
As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. So much so that we believe improving the health of our Nation’s soil is one of the most important conservation endeavors of our time.
The resources on this soil health section of our site are designed to help visitors understand the basics and benefits of soil health—and to learn about Soil Health Management Systems from farmers who are using those systems.
Over the course of the next year, Oregon Soil Health Partners will host a series of trainings and discussions on hot issues in soil health and you're on the guest list.. Read more...
When it comes to restoring, conserving and protecting watersheds, it's important to consider the role of healthy soils. Soil and water are connected. Healthy soils equate to healthier water supplies for humans, plants, fish and wildlife. This fact sheet explains the connections between NRCS soil health practices and water quality benefits. Read more...
Noah Williams loves it when people tell him he can’t do something.
Like when people say there’s no way he can make cover crops work in a dryland wheat cropping system.
“It’s my motivation to find a way to do it,” he says. “I like the challenge.”
Noah is working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wasco Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to try some new, innovative approaches to build healthier soil on his farm. Read more...
In the Treasure Valley -- one of the nation’s top agricultural hubs nestled in Southeast Oregon and Southwest Idaho -- an innovative farmer named Kenneth Jensen is making waves for soil health. More (HTML...)
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 1, 2016) -- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has named Jennifer Moore Kucera as the West Regional Soil Health Team Leader with the newly-established NRCS Soil Health Division. In this role, Kucera will oversee the development and implementation of science-based, effective, and economically-viable soil health management systems on diverse agricultural lands. More (HTML...)
ONTARIO, Ore. – More than 100 farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals learned how building healthy soils can increase their bottom lines during the 7th Annual Soil Health Symposium Feb. 18 at the Four Rivers Cultural Center. More (HTML...)
Mark Butterfield, Joe Dawson, Alan Klages and Kevin Melville
How can soil health maximize your farm’s potential? A group of four farmers in Northeast Oregon’s Wallowa County are putting their heads together to find the answer to that very important question. More (HTML...)
Cover Crop Field Day 2015 -- Corvallis, Oregon
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, hosted about 30 farmers, gardeners, and soil health enthusiasts during its Cover Crop Field Day, located at the NRCS Plant Materials Center in Corvallis, April 21, 2015. Participants got a first-hand look at more than 40 cover crop species and varieties, while discussing the benefits of using cover crops to enhance soil health. NRCS staff demonstrated cover crop termination equipment, including a new roller-crimper. Watch the YouTube video (3:40)
Growing With Soil Health...An Oregon Partnership
A growing number of Oregon farmers and conservationists are unlocking the secrets in the soil—and harvesting a wide range of on- and off-farm benefits. In this short video you’ll learn how and why this soil health partnership is growing across a wide range of Oregon’s diverse cropping systems and precipitation zones. Watch the YouTube video (4:24)
Eastern Oregon rancher Dick Fleming wants to make the most of every precious drop of rain on his rangeland. His 3,305-acre ranch in Baker County gets only seven inches of rain a year on average, and has a limited growing season of six weeks. It’s most definitely a challenge for Fleming -- and other Eastern Oregon ranchers -- to maintain moisture for forage production. More (HTML...)
"Investing in soil health is fundamental to good organic growing. They are essentially one in the same," he says.
The co-owner and operator of Square Peg Farms in Forest Grove, Roehm says he and his wife Amy Benson plan for the long-term, and he thinks soil health is the best way to maximize their returns over time. More (HTML...)
For Oregon cherry orchardist Mike Omeg, the sweetest thing about his operation isn’t just the cherries -- it’s increased profits through investing in the health of his soil.
“Soil health means continued profitability in an ever more competitive global marketplace for my product,” said Omeg, a fifth generation owner of the 350-acre Omeg Family Orchard in The Dalles, Oregon. “It makes sense to farmers. A better soil makes us more money.” More (HTML...)
To say Eric Nelson enjoys a challenge is an understatement.
He’s a certified organic farmer, growing small grains in a 12-inch precipitation zone—most of which comes between December and February. And if that isn’t enough of a challenge, he’s also working to reduce his use of tillage while he’s integrating diverse rotations and incorporating cover crops. More (HTML...)
Without irrigation, it’s hard to imagine growing a cash crop in an environment that receives less than 12 inches of precipitation annually. Welcome to the world of grain farmers in central and eastern Oregon.
David Brewer is one of those farmers. But rather than looking to the sky for help, he’s looking to the soil -- improving its health in an effort to retain and preserve every drop of precipitation that happens to fall on his farm. More (HTML...)
Soil health means different things to different people -- but for Teresa Matteson, the key word is partnerships.
A soil conservationist for the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Matteson has led the charge for outreach, education and partnerships to promote soil health initiatives in Oregon’s upper Willamette basin. More (HTML...)
Most of the crops Peter Kenagy grows on his 325-acre family farm in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley are typical of the area, yet his production methods are anything but conventional. Recognizing that productivity requires sustainability, Kenagy has joined a growing number of farmers in implementing conservation practices that promote soil health. Cover crops are a notable example. More (HTML...)
Over the course of the next year, Oregon Soil Health Partners will host a series of trainings and discussions on hot issues in soil health and you're on the guest list.. 
When it comes to restoring, conserving and protecting watersheds, it's important to consider the role of healthy soils. Soil and water are connected. Healthy soils equate to healthier water supplies for humans, plants, fish and wildlife. This fact sheet explains the connections between NRCS soil health practices and water quality benefits. 
Noah Williams loves it when people tell him he can’t do something.
