Conservation partners launch 4theSoil awareness initiative

Harrisonburg, VA – Soil is much more than the dirt below your feet. This critical, finite resource naturally stores carbon and water, provides habitat for billions of organisms and is the foundation of all food production. Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are teaming up with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition to raise awareness for soil health and show more Virginians why they should be “4 the Soil.”

Their campaign called 4theSoil will emphasize four soil health principles that NRCS and state partners have promoted to conservation and farming communities for nearly 10 years. Those are:

1. Keep soil covered
2. Minimize soil disturbance
3. Maximize living roots
4. Energize with diversity.

4theSoil organizers will use a new website and digital media to heighten general soil health awareness and encourage Virginia farmers and residents to adopt the four principles. Website visitors can pledge their support for soil health and these fundamental practices. This partnership effort will also highlight what Virginians are doing to care for soil and other critical resources with a goal of nurturing a stewardship ethic that will produce an overall win-win-win for Virginia’s agriculture, communities and the environment.

“The 4TheSoil Awareness launch really meets people where they are,” said Mary Sketch, Virginia Soil Health Coalition coordinator. “It provides a platform and bridge for diverse partners to come together around the importance of healthy soils for our farms, landscapes, and communities.”

Virginia Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Edwin Jones states, “As we work to provide a sustainable food supply and adapt to a changing climate, soil health and management is of critical importance. It is encouraging to have these partners come together, each has unique contributions and together we can make a significant gain in soil health.”

“Soil science can be complicated, but better soil management doesn’t need to be,” adds Virginia NRCS Cropland Agronomist Chris Lawrence. “We’ve learned that keeping things simple is key. That’s the genius of the 4TheSoil message. If you can remember four key principles – just 12 words – you’re well on your way to understanding how to take better care of one of our most precious resources.”

“Soil and water are the basis for all of life – human, animal, and plant,” said Danny Boyer of Four Winds Farm. “We need to sustain soil and water for ourselves and for future generations. Therefore, we all need to be 4 the Soil.”

It’s no coincidence that these partners decided to kick off 4theSoil on National Soil Health Day, Wednesday, June 23. This celebration recognizes soil professionals, farmers and growers who are focused not only on conservation but also on feeding and enhancing our global soil health. Receive more updates by following 4theSoil on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The following agencies and organizations, along with many other statewide partners, have also signed on to support this effort: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), Virginia Tech’s Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Association for Biological Farming, Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, Virginia No-Till Alliance, and Common Grain Alliance.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Agua Fund have generously provided funding for this campaign. Learn more about 4TheSoil at 4thesoil.org. Contact Eric Bendfeldt at (540) 232-6006/ ebendfel@vt.edu or Mary Sketch at (919) 402-7241/ msketch2@vt.edu with questions about this initiative and how you can participate in this effort.