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Feature
I am 4 the Soil
We are grateful to the Virginia Turfgrass Council Environment Institute for inviting us (The Virginia Soil Health Coalition) to speak at three events in December and January. If you were at one of those events there’s a good chance that you received a sticker that says “I am 4 The Soil”.
What’s this all about and what does it mean?
Why the 4? Soil is more than the dirt under our feet and the ground we stand on. It’s a living ecosystem and it impacts our world in more ways than we might think. We can all be for the soil so let’s take care of it. 4 the Soil is a campaign by the Virginia Soil Health Coalition to raise awareness of soil as a vital natural resource. By caring for the soil, we can build healthier communities, stronger economies, and a more resilient landscape.
Why does the logo have the number 4?
While soils are complex, taking care of them can be simple. We follow four core principles of soil health:
1. Keep soil covered
2. Minimize disturbance
3. Maximize living roots
4. Energize with diversity
Each principle builds on the other. We can start with one and implement each as we grow.
Building healthy soils might seem like a massive undertaking. Every day it faces, erosion, compaction, nutrient imbalance, acidification, pollution and decreased water retention. But we can help!
So where on Earth do we start?
Start where your feet are and where you live, work, and play. All of us directly and indirectly impact the soil, whether we maintain numerous golf courses, care for many lawns, or just do our own thing in our backyard or garden. Notice how you interact with soil in your daily life and think about how you can implement the 4 core principles of soil health.
