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25 Reasons To Be Grateful For Soil: Why Soil Is Important?

soil health

This Thanksgiving Season, our team is taking a moment to pause and reflect on why we are grateful for soils, and specifically why healthy soils are so crucial to our future - whether or not you are in the agriculture or turfgrass industries. 

Check out our slide share on the 25 Reasons To Be Grateful For Soil below. Alternatively, you can keep scrolling to skim through our bullet points.

If you are reading this blog via email, click here to view the SlideShare. 

 

  1. Soil is the backbone of our food security. Without healthy soil, farmers wouldn’t be able to provide us with feed, fiber, food, and fuel.

  2. Just like how a foundation for a home is critical, healthy soil acts as a foundation for plants by supporting plant roots and keeping plants upright for growth.

  3. Soil acts as a pantry for plants, storing and cycling essential nutrients and minerals that plants need to grow.

  4. Soil stores water for plants. In fact, according to the USDA, “Every 1% increase in organic matter results in as much as 25,000 gallons of available soil water per acre.” That’s a lot of water!

  5. Soil maintains adequate aeration for plants, providing oxygen for microbes, insects, and plant roots.

  6. Soil is a habitat for beneficial soil microbes; these organisms are nature’s hidden helpers. They form synergistic relationships with plants to protect them from stress and provide them with nutrients, among other tasks. According to the USDA, “One teaspoon of healthy soil contains, 100 million-to-1 billion individual bacteria alone.”

  7. Soil is home to many other organisms like insects that lay and hatch eggs in the soil.

  8. Soil filters surface water of dust, chemicals, and other contaminants. This is why underground water is one of the cleanest sources of water. In fact, according to Soils.Org, “through natural processes, such as soil absorption, chemical filtration, and nutrient cycle, the Catskill Watershed provides New York City with clean water at a cost of $1-to-1.5 billion, much less than the $6-to-8 billion one-time cost of constructing a water filtration plant.”

  9. Healthy soil helps protect the planet from climate change. According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, “Soil removes about 25 percent of the world’s fossil fuel emissions each year."

  10. Healthy soil provides farmers with better crop yields and protects plants from stress.

  11. When it comes to human health, almost all of the antibiotics we take to help fight infection are obtained by soil microbes.

  12. Healthy soil protects the land from erosion. 

  13. Soil is a nonrenewable natural resource. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it can take hundreds to thousands of years to form a centimeter of soil. But, that single centimeter of soil can be lost in a single year due to erosion.

  14. 11% of the total U.S. employment works in the agricultural and food sectors - that’s 2.16 million full- and part-time people working on our soils each day.

  15. Soil is made up of 45% minerals, 25% water, 5% organic matter, and 25% air.

  16. Soil acts as a holding facility for solid waste.

  17. Soil helps regulate the Earth’s temperature.

  18. Healthy soil mitigates the impacts of extreme weather events.

  19. Archeologists have determined that many sophisticated civilizations such as the Mayans and the Harappan, fell because they mismanaged their soil.

  20. According to Soils.Org, “about 70% of the weight of a textbook or glossy paged magazine is soil.”

  21. Putting clay soil on your face as a “mud mask” cleanses the skin’s pores.

  22. According to the World Future Council, “Soils help control weeds, plant pests, and disease.”

  23. The best china dishes are made from soil.

  24. Soil is the foundation of our buildings, roads, houses, and schools. In fact, soil affects how buildings are made.

  25. Soil holds Earth’s history, containing artifacts - from dinosaurs to ancient human civilizations - from our Earth’s past. There’s a lot of history stored in soils!

Why Soil Health Matters at Holganix? 

At Holganix, we revolutionize the way the world grows by harnessing the power of soil microbes. Our flagship product, Holganix Bio 800+ Agriculture contains over 800 species of beneficial soil microbes that work to build soil and plant health naturally.

Farmers around the United States have embraced our products to increase their crop yields and improve the overall health of their plants. By incorporating Holganix Bio 800+ Agriculture into their farming practices, they have witnessed remarkable results, with healthier and more resilient crops. In addition, landscapers and golf courses have also experienced the benefits of our products, as they have been able to significantly reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Soil health is at the core of our mission, and we firmly believe that healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable agriculture and a thriving planet. Our dedication to developing innovative solutions that enhance soil health is driven by the understanding that soil matters. By nourishing and supporting the intricate web of soil microbes, we are unlocking the true potential of our soils and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Join us in our mission to promote healthy soils and transform the way we grow. Discover the power of Holganix Bio 800+ Agriculture and experience the remarkable benefits it can bring to your crops, plants, and the environment. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a greener and more sustainable world for generations to come.


What’s The Dirt on Soil Science?

Digging into Soil Science 101: Beginners Guide to Understanding the Soil Food Web eBook

We know the soil is important and why we should be grateful for healthy soil. But how does soil work? And what does healthy soil look like? Dig deeper into soil science by downloading our FREE eBook by Holganix Director of Soil and Plant Science, Dr. Robert Neidermyer.

In the ebook, Dr. Neidermyer provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the soil food web and its role in supporting healthy crops. He delves into the fascinating world of soil microbes, explaining the crucial role they play in building resilient crops. With his expertise, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these microorganisms interact with plants and the environment to promote optimal growth.  

Download our eBook to explore:

1. How does the soil food web support healthy crops?

2. The power behind soil microbes and what they do to build resilient crops

3. Soil types and how to improve the health of your soil

Download: Digging Into Soil Health EBook

Posted by Kaitlyn Ersek on Nov 16, 2023 9:45:00 PM

Kaitlyn Ersek

Topics: lawn care, sports turf, golf course, agriculture

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