Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive... with Soil Health!
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tom Hoegemeyer
Email: thoegemeyer@gmail.com
Phone: 402-419-4426
You might recognize the Bee Gees' classic “Stayin' Alive” from Saturday Night Fever or even from a CPR class, as its rhythm is perfect for life-saving chest compressions. But did you know that life on Earth also depends on something just as vital—a thin layer of soil, only about a foot deep, on less than 5% of the planet? That’s right! While oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface, much of the rest is made up of mountains, deserts, or land too cold, wet or dry to support the plants and animals we rely on for food.
Healthy soils are just as essential as a healthy heart. In fact, one acre of healthy soil is a living ecosystem, teeming with life. Imagine it—about 5,000 pounds of fungi, 1,000 pounds of bacteria, 500 pounds of nematodes, 1,000 pounds of arthropods, and 1,500 pounds of earthworms. These organisms depend on the plants that grow in the soil, and in return provide plants with essential nutrients. It’s a beautiful cycle where everyone plays a role, a bit like nature’s own version of teamwork. Our native prairies show us how these interactions have been working for centuries—an ongoing, year-round process. And, this “livestock” must be fed year around. After all, we wouldn’t survive if we only ate during one season, right?
For thousands of years, humans farmed in sync with nature. But in the last century, we’ve taken a different approach, using machines, chemicals, and fossil fuels to boost production. While this industrial agriculture has been profitable, it’s come at a cost to the environment. We’ve lost more than half of our precious topsoil—the richest resource for life on Earth. Our soil no longer provides sufficient nutrients naturally, so we constantly add synthetic fertilizers. We’ve also lost organic matter, turning it into CO2, which contributes to climate change. And in some areas, the use of industrial farming techniques has led to polluted groundwater, with nitrates leaching into drinking supplies and releasing toxic metals.
It’s no wonder that more people, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are asking important questions: Where does our food come from? Was it grown responsibly? The concept of "One Health"—that human, wildlife, environmental, and soil health are all connected—is gaining ground. Terms like Regenerative Agriculture (RA), Sustainable Agriculture (SA), and SoilHealth (SH) are becoming buzzwords in the media. But while these ideas are exciting, they haven’t won over every farmer, rancher and landowner.
That said, many farmers, landowners, their lenders and customers are feeling stuck—on a treadmill of high input costs, shrinking profit margins, and rising risks. RA and SH offer an intriguing alternative. These farmers are curious about breaking away from relying on corporations for seeds, fertilizers, and expertise. They want more control, better returns, and the freedom to build new relationships with other farmers, suppliers, and customers.
Adopting RA and SH isn’t without its challenges. Fields and grazing areas managed with these practices can look messier compared to their traditional neighbors, which can lead to local disapproval. But many farmers who make the switch find greater satisfaction in their work. They learn to appreciate the importance of soil health, biodiversity, and collaborating with nature instead of battling against it. These farmers aren’t completely abandoning traditional agriculture. They still use fertilizers, irrigation, advanced crop genetics, and pesticides when necessary, but they also trust in their soil to support long-term productivity and independence.
The benefits of RA and SH extend beyond the farm, too. These practices can lead to reduced fertilizer use, lower irrigation needs, improved water quality, more grazing opportunities, and even better wildlife habitats. Plus, they can open the door to new business ventures within communities. Transitioning to RA and SH can take a few years of lower income, but the long-term payoff is financially and environmentally worth it—for the producers, lenders, businesses, and the wider community.
The Nebraska Soil Health Coalition is tackling these issues head-on with a three-part strategy. First, we’re bringing producers, educators, and suppliers together to learn from each other and share best practices that suit each region. Second, we’re creating local demonstration sites to test and showcase the best SH techniques and crops. And third, we’re working to involve entire communities in the conversation, easing social barriers and encouraging positive discussions among all parties involved.
We’re also establishing regional Soil Health Hubs, where producers and landowners can collaborate, learn, and share knowledge. Our goal is to help farmers and ranchers adopt soil health practices that build resilient farms, healthier communities, and stronger ecosystems across the state.
About Nebraska Soil Health Coalition
The Nebraska Soil Health Coalition is a collaborative effort to increase sustainable agricultural production and thriving rural communities. As part of that vision, we support Nebraska’s community newspapers. Our mission is to advance producer-centered education, outreach, and adoption of soil health principles to build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska. You can learn more at www.nesoilhealth.org
