Just beneath our feet, billions of life forms are ready, willing, and excited to help us grow healthy foods. Healthy soil is the foundation of all living things… that includes our foods, communities, us as human beings, and our collective home; Earth. Now, more than ever, it is important that we have an understanding about the role soil plays in our daily lives. This gives us the opportunity to show up in accordance with the knowledge we’ve been enlightened with, and create a better future.
what is soil health?
Before we dive in I think it is important to first find what exactly healthy soil is… when I think of healthy soil I think of a medium that is rich in organic matter, teaming with biodiversity, well structured, and packed with nutrients. It is moist, smells earthy, and is void of conventional additives. Often times we hear soil referred to as dirt – which it is not. Soil is a dynamic ecosystem! It is a complex network of organisms working symbiotically to sustain plant growth and maintain balance with inside ecosystems.
nutrient dense food
Simply put… the healthier our soil, the healthier hour foods will be. Nature has a way of providing us with all we need to build and sustain soil health. From the leaves that fall in autumn, to our rotting kitchen scraps, to the worms in their decomposing friends. All of these seemingly unconnected relationships are exactly what helps plant life thrive. And, if our plants are thriving… imagine the fruits they will bear. Healthy soil is packed with key micro and macro nutrients. Things like calcium, magnesium, and iron can all be found in our soil. When soil has a healthy population of microorganisms and biodiversity is embraced, it gives our plants the opportunity to uptake the nutrients they need to grow to their fullest potential.
Healthy soil will also impact the way our food tastes. The sweetness of our carrots, the spice of our peppers, the richness of our coffee beans. Isn’t it fascinating to think about the earth beneath our feet and how it can impact the flavor profiles in our foods?
crop resilience + food security
The benefits of healthy soil and its impact on what we eat doesn’t stop there. When our soil is healthy, it makes our crops more resistant to pests and diseases, this significantly lowers the need for conventional sprays and soil additives. Crops grown and healthy bio diverse soil also tend to be more resilient against environmental considerations; such as droughts and flooding. This leads to a more stable food system and provides food security in communities that need it most.
I am under the impression that healthy soil has a capacity to impact the way we live in so many beautiful ways. From protecting and improving water quality, to sequestering carbon, stabilizing our current food system… I believe the answers we are looking for when it comes to the food we consume and climate change, just beneath our feet… The answers are in the soil!
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