January 2013

Healthy, fully 

functioning soil is 

balanced to provide 

an environment 

that sustains and 

nourishes plants, 

soil microbes and 

beneficial insects. 

Managing for soil health is one of 

the most effective ways for farmers to 

increase crop productivity and profitability 

while improving the environment. Positive 

results are often realized within the first year, 

and last well into the future.

Soil Health

Soil is made up of air, water, decayed plant 

residue, organic matter from living and dead 

organisms, and minerals, such as sand, silt and 

clay. Increasing soil organic matter typically 

improves soil health since organic matter affects 

several critical soil functions. Healthy soils are 

also porous, which allows air and water to move 

freely through them. This balance ensures a 

suitable habitat for the myriad of soil organisms 

that support growing plants.

basics 

benefits

unlock the secrets in the soil

&
It’s not difficult to improve soil health. Here’s 

how: till the soil as little as possible; grow as 

many different species of plants as possible 

through rotations and a diverse mixture of cover 

crops; keep living plants in the soil as long as 

possible with crops and cover crops; and keep 

the soil surface covered with residue year round.

Soil Health Benefits

Farmers who manage their land in ways that 

improve and sustain soil health benefit from 

optimized inputs, sustainable outputs and 

increased resiliency. Healthy soils benefit 

all producers – managers of large, row crop 

operations to people with small, organic 

vegetable gardens. Healthy soils provide 

financial benefits for farmers, ranchers and 

gardeners, and environmental benefits that 

affect everyone.

Healthy soils lead to:

Increased Production – Healthy soils 

typically have more organic matter 

and soil organisms which improve soil 

structure, aeration, water retention, 

drainage and nutrient availability. 

Organic matter holds more nutrients in 

the soil until the plants need them.

Increased Profits – Healthy soils may 

require fewer passes over fields because 

they are only minimally tilled and they 

aren’t over-reliant upon excessive 

nutrient inputs to grow crops. Healthy 

soils can increase farmers’ profit margins 

by reducing labor and expenses for fuel, 

and optimizing inputs. 

Natural Resource Protection – Healthy 

soils hold more available water. The soil’s 

water-holding capacity reduces runoff 

that can cause flooding, and increases 

the availability of water to plants during 

droughts. Good infiltration and less need 

for fertilizers and pesticides keep nutrients 

and sediment from loading into lakes, rivers, 

and streams. Groundwater is also protected 

because there is less leaching from healthy 

soils. Additionally, fewer trips across fields 

with farm machinery mean fewer emissions 

and better air quality.

Soil Health Management 

Systems

Implementing Soil Health Management Systems 

can lead to increased organic matter, more soil 

organisms, reduced soil compaction and improved 

nutrient storage and cycling. As an added bonus, 

fully functioning, healthy soils absorb and retain 

more water, making them less susceptible to 

runoff and erosion. This means more water will be 

available for crops when they need it. Soil Health 

Management Systems allow farmers to improve 

profitability because they spend less on fuel and 

energy while benefiting from the higher crop yields 

resulting from improved soil conditions.

Contact your local NRCS office to learn more about 

Soil Health Management Systems and the technical 

and financial assistance available to help “Unlock 

the Secrets in the Soil.”

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