Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life - David Montgomery

One of the key lessons of history is as simple as it is stark: where the soil became degraded, communities and even whole countries failed and disappeared. Visits to farmers around the world show how innovative farmers combining farming practices from the past with modern science are at the vanguard of a soil health revolution that could reverse the ancient trend and bring humanity’s ailing soil back to life remarkably fast. Combining previously popular practices of cover crops and diversified crop rotations with modern methods of no-till planting cultivates beneficial soil life and allows using less production costs, such as less diesel, fertilizers, or pesticides. These practices are good for farmers and the environment. Regenerative practices that build soil organic matter translate into farms that use less water, have less soil and nutrient loss, and build soil organic matter while using less fossil fuel to maintain crop yields, build soil health, and improve farmers’ bottom lines. This presentation is part of the 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health. Slide presentations and additional conference information is available at http://www.sare.org/covercropconferen.... Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provides grants and outreach to advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life. SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.