Soil Microbial Activity

By capturing (or sequestering) atmospheric carbon in our soils, we also increase soil microbial activity. And that is fabulous. Well, why? Let me break it down:

Storing carbon underground is healthy for our soils. It increases the soil organic carbon (SOC) contents which leads to more fertile, nutrient-rich soil. There are no storage tanks underground, instead, we sequester carbon by implementing regenerative agriculture practices. Practices like reducing tillage, adding cover crops, increasing biodiversity and more. Ag practices like these pull carbon out of the air and store it in plant roots. When this transaction happens, soil microbial activity occurs. Thanks to microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) that break down organic matter, cycle nutrients and promote soil structure and water infiltration, microbial activity accelerates, creating healthy ecosystems.

Increasing microbial activity in the soil over the years pays dividends in greater yield potential, optimized productivity and resilient soil health. Examples of the long-term benefits of carbon sequestration:

Reducing tillage allows the soil environment to naturally thrive as we unlock the full potential of microbes to cycle nutrients and build steady soil structure.

Cover crops help prevent soil erosion through the addition of anchoring roots that hold soil against wind and water movement, while also optimizing soil water and air fractions that positively impact soil microbial health.

By using carbon farming and ranching and utilizing these regenerative practices, we are underscoring the significance of soil health and agricultural management.

Fostering soil health requires patience (time), dedication (commitment over the years), and confidence in data-driven strategies (trust the process). Adopting soil health practices benefits the future of agriculture and our environment. Join us in improving soil health across American farms and ranches for generations to come.

Soil Microbial Activity

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