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Soil
is a living thing. A single gram can contain as many as 15, 000 different
species, 6 million creatures in total. Talk about diversity! While
most of us may never actually see these life forms with our own eyes,
they are there — and they are immensely important to us.
 Healthy
soil is vital to our ecosystems
The bacteria, fungus and insects living in healthy soil help to replenish its nutrients, allowing forests and meadows to thrive, and agriculture to flourish. The microscopic critters in the dirt beneath our feet help break down dead organic matter, be it a corn stalk, fern leaf, tree stump, or what-have-you. Without these processes taking place, there would never be enough nutrients in the ground to allow new generations of plants to take route and grow up healthy and strong.
 Healthy
soil is important to people
The plants that come from healthy, living soil make up the food sources and habitat that much wildlife depends on. But these plants also make up our farms, backyards and family gardens. Healthy soil should not need a lot of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. It provides many of our sources of food and outdoor recreation, which are necessary for a strong economy.
Individuals
can make a difference
People can make an impact on the soil we need for healthy and robust living. Through community organizing, people can work with their government to help clean up soil that has been contaminated. Through organic gardening and yard-care, as well as composting, people can practice good stewardship of the soil in their own backyards. Individuals can also support organic agriculture by buying organic food at the grocery store or local farmer's market.
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