Soil Health and Conservation: Making Connections for Management

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Soil is one of our nation’s most critical resources, and healthy soil forms the foundation of productive, resilient farms. Soil health is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) as “the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.”

While soil conservation efforts have focused on preventing erosion and maintaining topsoil, soil health goes further. Soil health expands stewardship beyond conserving soil; it also includes enhancing soil quality to produce food, fiber, and fuel, as well as promoting other beneficial functions. Healthy soil functions, as described by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, include nutrient cycling and storage, habitat for organisms, flood regulation, and water purification.

Further, soils serve as a source of pharmaceutical and genetic resources, provide a foundation for human infrastructure, provide construction materials, protect cultural heritage, and contribute to climate regulation and carbon (C) sequestration.

Soil health management principles aim to reduce degradation while maintaining or improving crop productivity and enhancing other essential soil functions. However, the NRCS definition does not recognize how important it is to ensure soil fertility and aeration in the root zone at levels that support crop production and consider practical management tradeoffs. This publication provides an overview of soil health principles and practical considerations to address immediate and long-term soil resource concerns in agricultural systems.

For site-specific recommendations, consult with your local MSU Extension office, conservationist, natural resources professional, and/or agronomist.

Publication 4162 (POD-01-26)

By Beth H. Baker, PhD, Associate Extension Professor and Assistant Director of Extension for Environmental Stewardship, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Edward D. Entsminger, PhD, Extension Associate III, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mark J. Hill, Extension Associate I, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Vaughn Reed, PhD, Assistant Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Joby M. Czarnecki, PhD, Associate Research Professor, Geosystems Research Institute.