All life depends on soil. If we take care of the soil it will continue to provide the substrate for all down the dirt road onto the black top and beyond.
Soil needs working biology. Good bugs. Organic matter and carbon. Healthy mycorrhizae and bacteria. In some areas, decades of chemicals and tillage have reduced the good components of the soil, requiring more fertilizer and inputs each growing season.
Steps to increase organic matter and growing the good biology can include:
- biochar mixed with compost and/or manure
- cover crops
- no-till or strip tilling
- reduced to no anhydrous applications
- reduced chemical application and increased integrated pest management
Many hours of research at many universities have and are taking place. In some cased the research includes on farm trials.