Developing a Soil Guide

Grant Amount: $16,500

Region: National

Delivered by: Soil Land Food

Year funded: 2023

Project status: In progress

The Challenge

There is little practical help for farmers to guide them in managing soil to maximise its natural function and minimise synthetic inputs.

The Innovation

Soil Land Food is developing a practical soil management guide for Aussie farmers and graziers.

The soil guide will provide an open-source soil management booklet (downloadable PDF) that is relevant and practical for farmers and graziers across Australia. It will:

• Improve farmers’ fundamental understanding of soil function
• Support knowledge transfer through case studies
• Provide practical support to implement regenerative soil practices

The soil management guide builds an understanding of how soils work and how to manage them regeneratively. It addresses the issue of managing both soil health and managing the crop’s nutrients. The two are interconnected, but the higher priority is to manage soil health well first as nutrients will not be used effectively if soil function is compromised. It also includes case studies from different climates and industries around Australia so that farmers and graziers can relate to their own situation.

Why did Sustainable Table fund this project?

A national Soil Health Guide fills a critical resource gap in regenerative soil understanding and key management principles. This project will have a cascading and lasting impact right across Australia. It is plugging a critical soil literacy gap for farmers and extension agents alike, is being developed by an agroecologist who is brilliant at tailoring educational materials to a farming audience and the guide will be easily accessible and actionable.

To help us support more projects like this and regenerate Australian food and farming, please consider donating today.