7 Tips for Improving Soil Health

Regenerative agriculture is about creating healthier, more climate-resilient soils. Regenerative practices that increase soil organic matter also increase soil organic carbon, which makes up well over half of soil organic matter. Scientists have identified numerous best management practices for terrestrial carbon sequestration through the drawing down of atmospheric CO2. Here are [N] best practices.

1. Reduce Tillage: Reducing or eliminating tillage decreases both diesel consumption and the breakup of CO2e-sequestering soils. Minimizing soil disturbance keeps CO2e in and under the soil, promotes biodiversity and builds healthier soils over time. It is especially effective when paired with number 2 below.
2. Cover Crop & Increase Residue: Using crop residues or synthetic materials with cover crop in the rotation cycle provides many benefits to the soil, including fixing nitrogen, helping to control erosion, suppressing weeds, reducing soil compaction through more and better root penetration, and increasing the soil’s ability to retain moisture at greater depths. It also improves soil biodiversity and habitat.
3. Minimize Soil and Water Runoff: Planting trees and shrubs or encouraging native buffers between fields and streams helps to prevent soil loss and runoff. Cover crops also help fix nitrogen and prevent it and other fertilizers from running off. This in turn helps keep nutrients in and on the soil, creating more climate resilient farmland and, ultimately, better profitability.
4. Integrated Nutrient Management: Integrated nutrient management means taking into account all aspects of chemical, biological, organic and inorganic nutrient amendments in a holistic approach. An integrated approach helps balance all nutrients and biologicals in the soil, not just nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and helps to regenerate the soil.

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