Did you know today (June 23rd) is National Soil Health Day?
And its NOT the most celebrated holiday of the year. But it should be!
Did you know that there is actually a difference between soil and dirt? I didn't, at least not until I moved on to the ranch. I actually thought it was the same thing, just with a different name. Turns out, that's not the case!
In scientific terms:
Soil: The upper layer of the earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.
Dirt: A substance, such as mud or dust that soils someone or something
A huge difference, huh? The main difference, which really blew my mind, is the fact that while dirt is dead, soil is considered to be ALIVE.
As the above infographic created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations presented in 2015, which they declared to be the Year of Soil Health, shows that SOIL IS AS ALIVE AS OUR BODIES ARE ALIVE!
Soil, that thing we walk on, we plant in and build on, is alive. It is alive because it is a macrocosm of life. There are billions of bacteria in a handful of healthy soil along with the occasional earthworm, nematode, grub, etc. Healthy soil is an entire ecosystem in itself with predators and prey, producers and consumers.
Our body, that thing that we use to walk with, to plant with, to build with, and to live in, is alive. It is alive because it is a macrocosm of life. There are billions of bacteria in a single drop of blood or perspiration. Our bodies are an entire ecosystem in itself.
Think of it this way:
Just like our bodies have bacteria, both good and bad, it’s all balanced. When things are out of balance, we get colds, flus and various health problems that let us know something isn’t right. The same goes for our soil! Things like bare ground, an abundance of weeds and erosion are a good clue that something is out of balance.
Why do we need healthy soil?
Soil feeds. When soil is at its best, it helps plants create more nutrients that our bodies need, like protein, calcium and magnesium.
Soil cleans. Healthy, vibrant soil can help keep the environment cleaner and healthier. Nutrient-rich soil has a stable structure and when it is mismanaged, it loses the structure, causing dust clouds to form, increasing erosion.
Soil protects. When properly managed, soil protects plants from harm. Bacteria, fungi and other microbes living in healthy soil form a natural defense from pests and disease. Mismanaged soil has fewer microbes, putting plants at risk.
As the infographic shows above, the soil is as complex as a human body. If we don’t care for it, the soil will cease to function properly, and we will see the results manifest in a continually decreasing amount of healthy food, which will then result in more health problems.
Healthy soil is full of organisms that turn dead matter and minerals into vital plant nutrients. It acts much like the human digestive system that breaks down the food you eat into nutrients that nourish your body, and waste. Much of today’s soil quality is so poor, that the food being grown on that soil, is deficient in many of the nutrients our bodies need.
Soil quality is directly related to food quality.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that there are more living individual organisms in a tablespoon of soil than there are people on earth?
Did you know that almost all of the antibiotics that we take to help is fight infections were obtained from soil microorganisms?
Did you know that agriculture is the only essential industry on earth?
Did you know that soil is a non-renewable natural resource?
This is why we try to be conscious of our soil's health. We don't use pesticides that would kill off any of the insects and bacteria that is needed to promote a healthy ecosystem above and below the surface.
This is why we are extremely careful about what we put into our body. We don’t eat anything that has been treated with any chemical, hormones, genetically modified organisms or preservative, or anything that is going to damage the healthy ecosystem in our bodies we are trying to build and maintain.
Our mission at The Regen Ranch is to have the healthiest soil we can possibly achieve, so that we can produce the healthiest, nutrient dense food we can possibly produce.
Happy National Soil Health Day!
Coming to you for the very first time,
Megan
AKA Christine’s Daughter
