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Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource.
As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, cover cropping and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are actually increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity. As a result, farmers are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat—all while harvesting better profits and often better yields.
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.
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Case Studies: Economic Benefits of Applying Soil Health Practices
Knowing the benefits and cost of conservation activities is essential for farmers to make good decisions and that investments are cost effective. In new case studies, co-released by NRCS and American Farmland Trust, four farmers across a broad sampling of farming operations, provide evidence that implementing practices that improve soil health increases farmer profitability. See the case studies...
Soil Health Web PSA
Noted astronomer urges viewers to unlock the secrets in the soil
Dr. Laura Danly of California’s Griffith Observatory is helping USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service promote its “healthy soils” campaign. But why is an astronomer talking about soil, rather than the stars? “Studying Earth is just like studying the planets. Earth is a planet, and it’s the most amazing planet we know. It’s the only one we know that has life on it, so it’s a natural for me to want to talk about Earth and share some important messages with people about how we can make Earth healthier,” Danly says. Watch the video
Other fun features
Selfies for soil health!
Do you “dig” healthy soil like we do? Would you like to tell others?
Print out our new, fun graphic, cut along the dotted line and tape it to a stick (optional) – then take a selfie with the graphic and share via lnstagram or Twitter #soilhealth.
Click here to download the graphic.
Soil Health Across the Nation
A growing number of America’s farmers are using soil health management systems to improve the health and function of their soil—and we’re working hand-in-hand with these producers through our technical and financial assistance programs and services to help ensure their success. Click here to use the interactive map and find out what’s happening in your state regarding soil health and learn more about some of the farmers who are unlocking the secrets in the soil.
Featured Profile in Soil Health
The Durand Family, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana
Read more.
