Soil Biology

The Microbial Economy and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

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Wheat farm and surrounding wind farm highlight the macroscopic green economy as a reminder that, like wind energy, microbially rich farmland can help mitigate greenhouse gasses.

Microbial economies trade greenhouse gasses for food and energy.   By tapping into this system, we can increase agricultural profits.  This is because microbially driven agricultural systems require fewer costly chemicals to support. As carbon credit systems become more universal, it is reasonable to assume that farmers who operate to maintain healthy soil microbial communities will … Read more

What Farmers and Gardeners Need to Know About Soil Testing (Part I-At Home Assessments and Soil pH)

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Shows a farmer testing his soil.

Farmers and gardeners can improve production with regular at home and laboratory based soil testing.   Learn facts about soil color, texture, and aroma, and living creatures in and on your soil that can guide you to better production.   Learn how to choose a soil testing lab, why pH is one of the most common variables … Read more

Keeping Soils Healthy Through the Winter

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Podcast Transcript Are You Tending Your Soil Microbes as Winter Approaches? As the days are getting shorter and the weather’s getting colder, it’s tempting to put your farm or garden soil on the back burner, so to speak, and start thinking about: how to store all the produce you just harvested who to invite over … Read more

Online Conference Connects Soil Health to Your Health

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[button color=”green” size=”big” link=”http://agrihealthculture.com” ]ConferencePage[/button] Good Nutrition Begins On Farms and In Gardens.  Hipocrates once recognized food as the best medicine.  Of course, it goes without saying that only good food is good medicine. Food that is rich in functional vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals can support healthy body weights, combat cancer, promote sleep, and ensure … Read more

Biostimulants Boost Plant Growth in Brackish Water

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Brackish Water is Toxic To Crop Plants About 97% of the fresh water on the earth is considered too brackish (too salty) for most agricultural use.  Desalination, or purification, is of course possible.  Mechanical desalination processes are widely known. But making desalination cost effective and environmentally friendly can be challenging. The National Acadamies tell us … Read more

When do you Need a Biostimulant?

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Compost is an example of a soil amendment that supports biological production

Healthy Soils Require Amendments It is unrealistic to believe you can keep farming or gardening, and keep taking nutrients out of the soil without putting something back now and then. In the late 20th century, this was done with chemical fertilizers.  No doubt, chemical fertilizers are still used today.  When properly applied,  qualified experts will … Read more