Why soil health starts with soil biology

Soil is often a resource taken for granted, yet it’s arguably the backbone of our existence. It plays a crucial role in our ecosystem by supporting food production, filtering water, and regulating temperature. Healthy soil starts with the right biology, making it the foundation for agriculture across the world.

Soil biology goes beyond the “scientific” meaning of biology, which typically refers to a soil’s chemical makeup and ecological functions. While these aspects are important to soil health, there’s a deeper meaning to soil biology. It’s how we choose to give back to the land that serves us. Just as human biology determines every thought, feeling, and behavior we have based on how we care for our bodies – soil biology suffers or thrives depending on how treat the land.

Soil health is much more than science. To many, it’s their livelihood. It supports their income. It puts food on their table. It’s a place for their children to play. If we as humans don’t take care of the soil we’re given, it will degrade further and fail to provide us with the resources we need.

In a biological sense, for soil to be considered healthy, it must function physically, chemically, and biologically. Very similar to how human health is measured by physical, mental, and social well-being. Put in the simplest form, for soil to be physically functioning it needs to be able to support growth; for it to be chemically functioning it needs the correct nutrient balance; and for soil to be considered biologically functioning, not only does it need to support microbial activity, it requires care from its users.

An important step to keeping soil healthy both chemically and biologically is to make sure that we give it the right nutrients to keep it functioning correctly. Using reduced or no-till practices and planting cover crops are just a few ways that we can help build soil health over time.

Cover crops, in particular, play a key role in nitrogen fixation and reducing soil compaction. Depending on the species used, cover crops can disrupt different pest cycles and supply nutrients to cash crops grown in the following year. Blends such as Ranch Hand or Nutrient Builder offer a diverse mix of plants that enrich the soil, helping it to thrive.

Soil health not only begins with soil biology in a scientific sense, but it also begins with the biology rooted in the care it receives from those who rely on it. Making sure that we give back to land that serves us is crucial to the future of agriculture.

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