Partnerships for Enhancing the Health of Our Nation's Soils.

Enhancing soil health allows us to simultaneously address some of our most pressing natural resource issues (e.g. food and energy production, climate change, resilience to extreme weather, water quality/quantity, wildlife/pollinator habitat, rural economies, and others). More needs to be accomplished than is possible by any single entity. Consequently, partnerships are contributing to research, education, and adoption efforts with a common goal of increasing the health of our nation’s soils. Research conducted by USDA-ARS and Land Grant Universities (LGUs) forms the basis for conservation systems to enhance and methods to assess soil health. However, farmers and ranchers are also showing the way. In the “Soil Renaissance”, the Noble Foundation and Farm Foundation are co-leading efforts to, among others, standardize measures of soil health. Literature reviews by NRCS and ARS will ensure management recommendations are well-founded in peer-reviewed research. The “Soil Health Partnership”, led by National Corn Growers but with many collaborators (producers, industry, environmental, NRCS, ARS, LGUs), is establishing approximately 20 on-farm soil health demonstration sites per year for 5 years. The National Association of Conservation Districts is developing a national database of field days/demonstration sites to enhance communication across partner organizations. NRCS, ARS and LGUs have partnered to develop approximately 40 soil health webinars, and NRCS is standing up a new Soil Health Division with 19 technical specialists to provide training and technical assistance. Adoption is supported with NRCS financial assistance programs, along with partnerships with SARE, the Buffett Foundation, and others. These and other partners have come together because they recognize the need for enhancing soil health. The need is huge, and the time is now.