The Soil Issue

By Lauren Titus / Photography By | Last Updated April 03, 2024
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composted soil at Sunshine Organics
Mike Kelcourse holds a handful of composted soil at Sunshine Organics in Jacksonville.

“Healthy soil leads to a healthy plant, a healthy animal, a healthy human, healthy water and ultimately a healthy climate and planet.”

Ray Archuleta

Have you ever looked at a patch of dirt as a tabula rasa, a blank slate on which to throw a handful of seeds, and anticipate the delicious vegetables that will arise after a little watering and sunshine? Me too, until a couple of seasons went by with little to show for my minimal efforts. I began to research how to make my garden a nurturing environment for plants, until finally, after a lot of work, that patch of dirt turned into a living ecosystem, and I could harvest the fruits of my labor. Then we moved, and I had a chance to start all over in a new yard. At least this time I knew some of the essential ingredients for a successful garden.

The Soil issue explores what is needed to create a healthy food system. Not surprisingly, that starts from the ground up, transforming the dirt under our feet into vibrant soil that can sustain plant, and human, life. It seems obvious that soil needs to be a healthy ecosystem to grow our food. Unfortunately, agricultural and other human activities, along with the impact of climate change, often deplete nutrients, leading to less-than-optimal long-term farming conditions. The good news is the importance of soil health is getting renewed attention.

For a glimpse into how little things can make a big difference, read Allen Skinner’s piece on the three components that comprise healthy soil, which includes a great case study of soil transformation at a local farm. Want to amend the dirt at home to improve your chances of successful growing? We have a recipe for that. Find out why legumes, considered a nutritional powerhouse in our diets, can also be a healthy addition to your garden. Learn how one local company is diverting food waste and other organic material from the landfill to generate a nutrient rich amendment for Florida’s sandy soils. And for a taste of terroir, be sure to pick up seasonal produce at the market and try this issue’s recipes.

What does it take to grow nutritious food? The answer may be right under our feet. If we want good food, we need good soil. Adopting truly regenerative practices in a way that works with and nurtures the surrounding ecosystem is a start, the sooner the better.

Lauren TitusEditor

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STORIES FROM THE SOIL ISSUE

Soil Health 101

biochar at eartha's farm and market
A three-legged stool for growing

Commercial Composting with Sunshine Organics

sunshine organics
Creating sustainable solutions for farmers to improve their soil fertility.

The Taste of Terroir

swallowtail farm
Food defined by a sense of place

Harissa Carrots with Chickpea Stew

harissa carrots
Get a taste of North Africa with the flavors of harissa, a hot chili red pepper paste.

Kale and Ricotta Ravioli with Beef Sugo

kale and ricotta ravioli
Use this tomato-based sauce on any pasta or rice dish for vibrant flavors and freeze any leftovers.

A Recipe for Soil Amending

bluebird growers
small additions can have big impacts on soil health

Soil Microbes and Legumes: A Win-Win Relationship

legumes
Create a healthy microbial community.

Wisdom Found Underground

tiffany bess at work
Soil ecosystem reveals secrets to life.
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