Soil health

Soil health

Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans. Some important functions of healthy soils include nutrient cycling, water storage, habitat for soil organisms and growth medium for plants. Ultimately, healthy soils are more productive and lead to healthier crops and more resilient agricultural systems. Management practices that improve soil health include minimizing disturbance, keeping soil covered, maintaining living roots, increasing biodiversity and incorporating livestock when possible.

The purpose of the UI Extension soil health program is to:

• Empower local producers to adopt practices that improve soil health on their farms.
• Support ongoing research and innovation for increasing soil health.
• Contribute to the productivity, profitability and resiliency of agriculture in Idaho.

Organic management

Resources

• Soil fertility in organic systems: A guide for gardeners and small acreage farmers (pdf)  
• Using soil test results for garden fertilization: A guide for fertilizing home landscapes and gardens in Idaho, CIS 1182  
• Building Soils for better crops: Ecological management for healthy soils, SARE outreach publication  
• Exploring organic grain and forage production as a profitable enterprise for Palouse farmers, PNW 748
• Organic small grain production in the Inland Pacific Northwest: A collection of case studies, Washington State University Extension
• Manage weeds on your farm: a guide to ecological strategies, SARE outreach publication
• Fred and Cooper Brossy of Ernie’s Organics roller crimping rye before direct seeding beans (YouTube playlist)

Resources

• Idaho Soil Health 5 for 5 Roundtables (YouTube playlist)
• Regenerative Agriculture Network of Idaho
• Case studies (YouTube playlist)
• Treasure Valley Soil Keeper's forum: a network of farmers and ranchers who discuss management and soil health
• Idaho NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NCAD), featuring our Idaho soil health champions
• Join the Idaho Soil Health Facebook group
• Steps to contact your local NRCS soil/resource conservationist to learn about financial assistance programs
  • Check out this webpage, which will prepare you for the steps to take
  • Get a hold of your local NRCS office and speak with a conservationist: Discuss your operational and conservation goals with a conservationist
  • Complete an application for NRCS’ financial assistance programs: EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) are two of the most common programs. There are also "niche" programs within EQIP such as: Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) and Cheatgrass Challenge.
• About NRCS Conservation
• List of NRCS Conservation Practices (not all are available in Idaho)
• Farmer’s Guide to Farm Bill Programs
• Idaho Soil Health story map

News and events

Join our mailing list to stay up to date with current news and events.

Soil Health newsletter

• 2024 — March | June | October

Popular press

• November 2024 — U of I grad research shows cover crops are effective for weed control
• March 2024 — Opening of University of Idaho's "Idaho Center for Plant and Soil Health" in Parma
• November 2023 — Preventing erosion: Southeast Soil Health Field Day 2023
• September 2023 — U of I involvement in McCain Farm Innovation Hub Field Day
• June 2023 — Pat Purdy on 10 years of no-till
• November 2022 — Intertribal agriculture council retreat focuses on arid west pasture recovery efforts in Nevada
• 2022 — Idaho workshop focuses on soil health
• 2022 — Magic Valley producers attend soil health day
• 2022 — Magic Valley field day photos

If you have an event you would like to advertise, please contact Courtney Cosdon.

Research and projects

Learn about current and past research projects related to soil health.