The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has defined Soil Health as “the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans…Only ‘living’ things can have health, so viewing soil as a living ecosystem reflects a fundamental shift in the way we care for our nation’s soils.” Our soil has billions of bacteria, fungi, and microbes that create an entire ecosystem just under our feet. A healthy ecosystem within soil will flourish and diversify to sustain itself; a healthy ecosystem within soil will provide essential nutrients to plants for optimal growth and health and improve the soil’s ability to hold water in the root zone.

Soils have both inherent and dynamic properties.  Inherent properties include characteristics such as depth, mineral type, texture, and gravel content.  Dynamic properties can be changed by management, although the scope of change is limited by inherent soil properties.  Examples of dynamic soil properties are soil structure, organic matter content, water infiltration rate, water holding capacity, and nutrient holding capacity.

NRCS Conservation Practices that have been identified as having a positive effect on the living ecosystem within the soil include:

• Reduced Tillage
• Cover Cropping
• Composting
• Riparian Restoration
• Building Habitat for Pollinators
• Tree and Shrub Establishment
• Prescribed Grazing
• Range Planting
• Mulching
• Hedgerow Planting
• Many more!

 Source: http://soilhub.org/soil-health-and-its-many-co-benefits/

Conservation & Carbon Farm Planning

Carbon farming involves implementing on-farm practices that increase the rate of photosynthesis that transfers carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to plant productivity and/or soil organic matter. Enhancing agroecosystem carbon, whether in plants or soil, results in beneficial changes in other system attributes, including soil water holding capacity, hydrologic function, soil fertility, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and agricultural productivity.

HCRCD Soil Health Program

Humboldt County RCD is in the process of creating a Soil Health Program. Check back periodically for announcements.