Soil quality, also referred to as soil health,
is defined as how well soil does what we want it to do. Healthy
soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests,
productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful
landscapes.
This site includes an overview
of basic soil quality concepts, a soil quality glossary,
and the
online Soil Biology Primer.
The site also features content focused on the role and benefits of
soil organic
matter, soil quality indicators and assessment,
and soil quality management
for major land uses.
The publications section
provides numerous fact
and information sheets, NRCS technical notes,
and posters for training and display.
The East National Technology Support Center's soil health team
recently changed its name to National Soil Health and Sustainability
Team to better reflect its role in helping farmers build healthy soil.
In addition, David Lamm, Natural Resources Specialist, was named Team
Leader. The Team interacts with field office staff and farmers to promote its
vision of “Healthy Soil for Life!”
Working with conservation partner Dr. Robin 'Buz' Kloot of the Earth
Sciences and Resources Institute, University of South Carolina, members
of the National Soil Health and Sustainability Team, North Carolina
NRCS staff, Earth Team volunteers, and farmers are featured in Conservation
Conversations sponsored by NRCS's East National Technology Support
Center.
As part of an ongoing soils education grant project in Nebraska,
members of the National Soil Survey Center’s Soil Quality and Ecosystems
Branch presented information on soil quality resources, provided lesson
plans, and demonstrated “hands-on” soil quality educational tools.
Feedback from educators was very positive and immediately put into use.
Follow our Under Cover Farmers to learn how three farmers in Stanly County, NC,
started using multispecies cover crops and how they were able to realize
economic returns on their investment in the first year. (The opinions expressed
in this video are those of the farmers and do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of USDA.)