Over the past century, farming that relies on synthetic inputs and heavy tillage has worn down soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and structure across much of North America's farmland, releasing stored carbon into the air. Regenerative organic practices can reverse that. They build on organic farming, and long-term research shows what that foundation can do. In Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial, which has compared organic and conventional fields side by side in Pennsylvania since 1981, organic corn yielded 31% more than conventional in drought years, and 15 to 20% more water soaked down through the organic soil. Large reviews also find more carbon and 32 to 84% more microbial life in organic soils.

What Healthy Soil Is

A single teaspoon of healthy soil holds more microbes than there are people on Earth, from bacteria and fungi to archaea and protists, along with nematodes, earthworms, and arthropods. This underground ecosystem recycles nutrients, builds structure, stores carbon, holds water, and connects plant roots to minerals they couldn't reach on their own. Specific characteristics of healthy soil include: 

High Organic Matter

Living and decomposing plant and animal material that feeds the soil ecosystem and stores carbon.

Stable Aggregate Structure

Crumbly, granular soil that holds together but isn’t compacted. Water passes through it, roots grow through it, and microorganisms move through it.

Diverse Microbiology

Many species of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms work together, with mycorrhizal networks connecting plant roots underground.

Strong Water-Holding Capacity

Organic matter helps soil hold water and release it slowly to plants. 

Low Compaction

Roots grow deep, water soaks in, and animals can walk without damaging the structure.

Active Nutrient Cycling

Microbial activity supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals to plants without synthetic fertilizer.

Over the past century, farming that relies on synthetic inputs and heavy tillage has worn down soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and structure across much of North America's farmland, releasing stored carbon into the air. Regenerative organic practices can reverse that. They build on organic farming, and long-term research shows what that foundation can do. In Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial, which has compared organic and conventional fields side by side in Pennsylvania since 1981, organic corn yielded 31% more than conventional in drought years, and 15 to 20% more water soaked down through the organic soil. Large reviews also find more carbon and 32 to 84% more microbial life in organic soils.

Image with text section

How We Build Soil

Several integrated practices that work together: 

  • Minimal tillage. Tillage breaks apart fungal networks, exposes carbon to oxidation, and damages soil structure. We keep soil disturbance to a minimum across the farm, and when soil work is necessary, we use no-till or low-till methods. 
  • Cover cropping. We keep something living and growing in our beds, paddocks, and rotational fields whenever we can. Our cover crop mixes are species-diverse and chosen for what each piece of ground needs. 
Read more
  • Integrated livestock rotation. Manure, urine, hoof action, and well-timed grazing feed the soil and build its structure as the animals move through. 
  • Diverse plantings. Different plants feed different microorganisms, grow different root structures, and add different kinds of organic matter. 
  • Compost and amendments based on soil tests. We test every year and amend based on the results, with no fixed recipe. 
  • Wool mulch in the apothecary garden. Skirted Valais wool used as mulch provides nutrients, retains moisture, and helps regulate soil temperature in beds where work is most intensive. 
  • Forest leaf litter and woody debris. In our woodland, leaves and fallen branches break down where they land and feed the forest soil. 

How We Measure It

We test soil every year across representative paddocks and beds. We test for:

  • Organic Matter Percentage

    The headline measure of soil health.

  • Soil pH

    Affects nutrient availability and microbial activity.

  • Macronutrients

    Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

  • Micronutrients

    Calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and boron.

  • Cation Exchange Capacity

    A measure of soil fertility.

  • Soil Texture and Structure

    Assessed in the field by trained staff.

Each year's results shape the next year's practices. If organic matter is rising, we keep going. If a micronutrient is dropping, we adjust. 

The certification requires soil testing when a farm first applies and every 3 years after that. We test every year. The change from one year to the next may be small, but a yearly look helps us make better decisions as we go. 

Image with text section

What We're Watching

The signs we watch most closely are organic matter in our managed pastures and apothecary garden beds, how quickly water soaks in during heavy rain, and how long our pastures stay productive into a dry summer. Each year of testing adds to the record. 

This is the slow work of regenerative agriculture. Soil tests, cover crops, rotation timing, and wool mulch are the practices. Soil organic matter, microbial diversity, water-holding capacity, and carbon are the measures. The work takes generations, and we measure it every year. It's the most important thing our farm does. 

Read the Journal Piece on Soil Health Under Regenerative Organic Practices