Most people know that they need clean air and clean water to stay healthy. Fewer people realize that their well-being also depends on the health of another component of our environment the soil. Soil supports the growth of most of our food and fibre, so its productivity is a major factor in the economies of Canada and other nations. But it also has a much broader role globally.
Soil acts as a filter, cleaning air and water.
It exchanges gases with the atmosphere and thus influences global climate. Because soil plays such a key role in world health, economies, and environmental stability, we must conserve it and use it in a sustainable manner. Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that can be carried out for generations to come. This long-term approach to agriculture combines efficient production with the wise stewardship of the earth's resources. The most important link between farming practices and sustainable agriculture is the health, or quality, of our agricultural soils.