Soil health is defined by the USDA NRCS as the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans. These functions include maintaining plant productivity, regulating and partitioning water, filtering and buffering against pollutants, and storing and cycling nutrients.
Soil health as we know it depends on management and generally boils down to organic matter and porosity, two physical properties that are highly dependent on soil texture. When we have higher organic matter we have, greater water infiltration, lower bulk density, higher EC (Electro Conductivity), higher respiration, greater soil nitrogen, greater aggregate stability, more earthworms and more soil microbes.
To improve soil health farmers should consider implementing a practice or combination of practices that depend on soil texture, soil health status, and constraints of their farming system. The practices include minimizing disturbance, maximize time with living roots, keep the soil covered, and diversifying rotations.
News
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Agriculture support labs still open for business, with modifications
Published on March 27, 2020
As the pandemic of COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus, impacts farmers’ ability to get ready for planting season, labs and other support aids remain open with limitations.
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Protecting yourself and your farm employees from COVID-19
Published on March 27, 2020
Considerations to help producers protect themselves, their families and employees from novel coronavirus, the virus that causes the infectious disease COVID-19.
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Clean and clear: Partnerships with local drain officials
Published on March 18, 2020
Highlighting a new program that is being tested in Michigan.
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Cover crops can help urban growers of all scales improve soil conditions
Published on January 20, 2020
MSU Extension releases resources to help urban growers implement cover-cropping practices
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Soil pore structure key to carbon storage
Published on December 5, 2019
A window to the microbial world of carbon cycling
