food for thought
IT ’ S NOT JUST DIRT
The soil is a mirror
Story and photos BY PETE WALTON
In a single handful of soil , there are more living organisms than humans on earth . This complex community is composed of trillions of bacteria , fungi , protozoa , nematodes , isopods , insects , plants , and animals all working together in harmony . Everything on earth depends on a healthy soil biome for clean air , water , and food . Unfortunately , humans have had a largely destructive impact on this essential biological system , and it is now imperative to redirect the path of soil health for future generations .
The symptoms of mistreating the soil are clear : polluted air and water , declining biodiversity , and disease across all species that has led to what is commonly accepted as mass extinction facing many species . As we ’ ve made our global farm practices more “ efficient ,” we must also look at the negative impact some of these practices have had on the most important system of all : life of our planet . Modern agriculture has adopted many practices that disrupt the soil web , like the overuse of heavy machinery , poor water management , and the use of chemicals . And food grown in sick soil does not contain all the essential nutrients and minerals we need to maintain a healthy immune system .
Luckily , it is relatively easy to reestablish a healthy soil food web with active shifts in thinking and collective action , both in our gardens and on farm scale , steering food production systems towards more symbiotic relationships with the ecosystem .
One simple first step is to look at how we our utilize food “ waste ” which can be turned into one of the most valuable agricultural resources on the planet : compost .
For farms to move towards truly regenerative soil systems , they need a lot of compost . Compost is created by combining food scraps and “ green ” waste , like grass clippings , with wood chips and other carbon-rich “ brown ” materials . Aged over time with the assistance of microbes , compost becomes a highly diverse bank of incredible biology that can repair damaged soil . The waste from microbes breaking down organic matter is what feeds plants . Plants are not able to directly consume a mineral or nutrient they encounter in the soil ; they let the microbes do the work for them .
The root systems of fungal colonies , called mycelium , also play a essential role in soil health and vitality . They send electrical signals and other important messages all through the network of plant roots , symbiotically exchanging nutri-
24 plenty I spring sowing 2023