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A diagram illustrating the process of increasing soil organic matter in a database.

Putting Numbers to the Difficult Task of Increasing Soil Organic Matter

You may know that it is difficult to increase soil organic matter, but how difficult is it, with numbers? Let’s do some rough calculations so you know what to expect. The task is difficult, but the math is easy, I promise.

a tractor pulling a compost spreader through a field.

Where the Magic Happens

This is one of only a handful of state programs in the U.S. helping agricultural producers be part of the climate solution and achieve co-benefits such as improving soil health.

cows in a field.

Producer Spotlight: Blue Slate Ranch — Bale Grazing

Bale grazing is a method of feeding livestock during the winter. Bales are placed across a pasture or paddock rather than in one location

A green field with a green truck in the background.

What’s weighing down your soil?

With soil acidification, the aluminum within the soil complex is released into the soil solution, where it affects plant health.

a person standing near piles of steaming compost.

New WSDA Compost Reimbursement Program

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has launched a new program that reimburses farmers for compost-related expenses.

STAR Logo

STAR comes to Washington

The Washington legislature has funded a new program at WSDA intended to generate economic valuation for on-farm soil health management. Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) was created by Illinois farmers in 2017. It is now used in four states, with an additional seven receiving STAR funding through the USDA Climate Smart Commodities Program.

a person looking at a tree.

Science-informed soil carbon policies in Washington and beyond

Soil carbon was historically the subject of niche curiosity, with only soil scientists and growers aware of its existence. The urgency of climate change, however, has sparked intensive public interest in managing farmland to build soil carbon.

a pie.

A Slice of the Soil Organic Matter Pie

Just like your favorite holiday pie, soil organic matter has a number of different slices that make it come together just right. Maybe each slice isn’t the same size, but without each piece, the pie just wouldn’t be complete. We can use this pie example to understand the different ways we can look at soil organic matter, either as a whole pie or as individual slices.

A professor in a children's classroom talking about soil.

Growing interest in soil health: an appreciation-based STEM curriculum for kids

Soil health education for youth is vital to change the outlook and attitude of future generations toward soil stewardship. Soil health is linked to some of the most important issues facing our planet and future generations, from a warming climate and increasing extreme weather events to toxic buildup of waste and contaminants, to fresh air and water, to the very food quantity and quality on our tables each and every day. Yet, unfortunately, most students enter college with little to no understanding of the importance of soil in our everyday lives.

a cookie.

What makes a good soil health indicator?

Just as my daughter had extensive criteria for what makes a cookie good, we can also think about criteria for what makes a soil health indicator good.