Farmers who manage their land in ways that improve and sustain soil health benefit from fewer 

inputs, sustainable outputs, and increased resiliency. Healthy soils benefit all producers – from 

large, row-crop operations to small, organic vegetable farms. 

Healthy soils lead to:

 – organic matter increases and soil organisms flourish, both of INCREASED PRODUCTION •	

which improve soil structure, aeration, water retention, drainage and nutrient availability.

– tillage reduction or elimination means fewer passes over fields, INCREASED PROFITS •	

 and healthy soils rely less on fertilizers and pesticides.

 – healthy soils hold more water for use by plants. The soil’s NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION •	

water-holding capacity reduces runoff that can cause flooding and increases the availability of 

water to plants during droughts. By holding more water, nutrients, and pesticides, healthy soils 

reduce nutrient and pesticide losses to lakes, rivers, and streams. Groundwater is also protected 

because there can be less leaching from healthy soils. Additionally, fewer trips across fields with 

farm machinery mean fewer emissions and better air quality.

 THE BENEFITS. Unlock

unlock your farm’s

potential

For more information on NRCS programs, go to: www.nrcs.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Originally established by Congress in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), NRCS today 

has become a conservation leader for all natural resources, ensuring private lands are conserved, 

restored, and more resilient to environmental challenges, like climate change.

Seventy percent of the land in the contiguous United States is privately owned, making stewardship by 

private landowners absolutely critical to the health of our Nation’s environment.

NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the 

soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

Helping People Help the Land.

February 2013 | Program Aid 2130
Unlock THE BASICS.

Healthy, fully functioning soil provides an environment that sustains and nourishes plants, soil 

microbes and beneficial insects. Managing for soil health is one of the easiest and most effective 

ways for farmers to increase crop productivity and profitability while improving the environment. 

Positive results are often realized immediately and last well into the future.

Soil is made up of air, water, decayed plant residue, organic matter from living and dead 

organisms, and mineral matter, such as sand, silt, and clay. Increasing soil organic matter typically 

improves soil health since organic matter affects several critical soil functions, including nutrient 

cycling and water-holding capacity. Healthy soils are porous and allow air and water to move 

freely through them. 

Here’s how to improve soil health:

•	 Disturb the soil as little as possible,

•	 Grow many different species of plants through rotations and a diverse mixture of cover crops, 

•	 Plant cover crops around harvest to keep living roots growing in the soil for as much of the 

year as possible, and

•	 Keep the soil surface covered with residue year round. SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT. DIG A LITTLE. LEARN A LOT.

Soil is a living system, and it should look, smell, and feel alive. 

Dig in to discover what your soil can tell you about its health 

and production potential. Healthy soil looks dark, crumbly, and 

porous and is home to worms and other organisms that squirm, 

creep, hop, or crawl. Healthy soil smells sweet and earthy. 

It feels soft, moist, and friable and allows plant roots to 

grow unimpeded.

Implementing Soil Health Management Systems can lead to increased 

organic matter and 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 enjoy profits because 

they spend less on fuel and energy and they produce higher 

crop yields from improved soil conditions.

DO NOT 

DISTURB.

The soil’s natural biological cycles and structure can be 

disrupted through tillage, improper chemical disturbance, 

or excessive livestock grazing. By managing, reducing, or 

eliminating these activities, farmers will benefit from better 

plant growth, reduced soil erosion, increased profit margins, 

and better wildlife habitat.

DISCOVER 

THE COVER.

Biodiversity–growing more plants in rotation–increases the 

success of most agricultural systems. Diversity above ground 

improves diversity below ground. Using cover crops and 

increasing crop rotation diversity help restore soil health, 

protect against erosion and groundwater leaching, and 

provide livestock feed and wildlife habitat.

Contact your local Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (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.”

Go online at: www.nrcs.usda.gov or visit your local NRCS office.