GLC Agronomy



Wisconsin Ag News Headlines
State Conservationist: December 5 is World Soil Day
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/05/2013

Too often, it's treated like dirt. But Wisconsin's State Conservationist Jimmy Bramblett says this week our living and life-giving soil is finally getting some of the respect it deserves.

"The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization celebrates World Soil Day on December 5 in Rome, Italy," Bramblett wrote in an editorial this week. "Under the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the event is held each year with the goal of raising awareness of the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystem functions, and sustainable development."

Understandably, it's easy to take soil for granted, he noted. That's because it's mostly hidden from view and few who live off the farm have reason to give it a second thought.

"Yet this amazing resource is responsible for nearly all life on the planet. Fortunately, scientists, conservationists and farmers are increasingly recognizing that keeping our soil healthy and functioning is the key to our survival."

Bramblett says here in Wisconsin, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and its conservation partners are working directly with private landowners to improve the health of the soil on our working lands. By improving the health of the soil, we are also improving the health and vitality of our farms, families and communities.

"This renewed focus on the health of our soil has created an exciting new revolution in American agriculture as farmers, ranchers and other landowners are increasingly making their land more productive and sustainable through soil health management systems," the letter stated. "Although all farming operations are different, most all can benefit from keeping the soil covered as much as possible; disturbing the soil as little as possible; keeping plants growing throughout the year to feed the soil; and diversifying plants as much as possible using crop rotation and cover crops."

By improving soil health, Wisconsin's agricultural producers can harvest benefits on and off the farm including increasing farmland sustainability and resilience; improving water and air quality; providing wildlife habitat; and reducing flooding.


Other Wisconsin Headlines
Ag-Bag
Meyer Manufacturing
Copyright © 2024 - Farms.com. All Rights Reserved.