Soil Health

Healthy soils are the foundation of agriculture. In the face of mounting challenges such as a growing global population, climate change, and extreme weather events, soil health is critical to our future. Healthy soil is essential as global demands rise for food, fuel, and fiber. Soils also play a crucial role in food security, hunger eradication, climate change adaptation, poverty reduction and sustainable development. As America’s agency for soil conservation, classification and studies, NRCS is excited that 2015 will bring worldwide attention to the importance of soil.

Working with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and other partners, NRCS will be showcasing the importance of soil with monthly themes created by SSSA:

• January: Soils Sustain Life
• February: Soils Support Urban Life
• March: Soils Support Agriculture
• April: Soils Clean and Capture Water
• May: Soils Support Buildings/Infrastructure
• June: Soils Support Recreation
• July: Soils Are Living
• August: Soils Support Health
• September: Soils Protect the Natural Environment
• October: Soils and Products We Use
• November: Soils and Climate
• December: Soils, Culture and People

Soil-to-Go Podcasts

Don’t have time to sit down at a computer to listen to  other farmers, ranchers and researchers about soil health topics? No problem. Load your audio device with these “Soil Health To-Go” podcasts and listen when while you're on the tractor, in the field, or when you've just got more time.

• Iowa couple grows food, family, community on organic farm - Andy and Melissa Dunham understand that the health of their soil translates into healthier crops and a more resilient farm.
• Organic grower harvests soil health benefits - Organic farmer Roger Lansink says the success or failure of his operation rests squarely on his shoulders. “We can’t blame any crop failures on synthetic inputs—because we don’t use any,” he says.
• Organic grain grower sows seeds of hope in soil health - 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.
• Focus on soil health drives innovation, moisture preservation for Oregon farmer - 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.
• Powered by diversity and healthy soil, organic farm flourishes - A certified organic operation since 1994, Ron and Maria Vakulskas Rosmann's 700-acre farm near Harlan is home to a remarkable amount of diversity—above and below the ground.
• Soil health is “fundamental to good organic growing,” Oregon farmer says - Becoming a certified organic producer involves a unique set of farming challenges. Oregon Farmer Chris Roehm overcomes those challenges with the help of a powerful ally: healthy soil.

Watch the 2015  International Year of Soils Video
 

NRCS joins global partners to celebrate World Soil Day Dec. 5

NRCS celebrated World Soil Day on Dec. 5, a day spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The day created a global dialogue on the importance of soils. Follow on social media via #WorldSoilDay. Learn more.

• NRCS Soils Planner: This 2015 calendar features the 12 monthly themes of International Year of Soils. This free planner can be ordered from the NRCS Distribution Center.
• Soil Science Society of America video series: The SSSA is showcasing a video series to complement each monthly theme of International Year of Soils.