Soil health education effort led by Illinois farmers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will celebrate the state’s first-ever dedicated Soil Health Day and Week thanks to a farmer-led effort.

Farmers and soil health advocates in Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s Soil Health Caucus drafted and submitted to the General Assembly SJR44 & HJR64, a joint resolution to create a Soil Health Day and Week celebration to take place March 7-11, with Soil Health Day falling on Wednesday, March 9.

The joint resolution is sponsored by Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign, and Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville.

Despite soil’s importance to human health, climate mitigation, the environment, nutrition and food, feed, fiber and fuel production, there is little public awareness of the importance of soil protection.

This joint resolution creates a weeklong celebration of soil health with messaging and education to reach voices outside of the agriculture community and raise awareness for Illinois’ most valuable natural resource, according to the alliance.

Throughout the Soil Health Week celebration, the alliance and participating partners will bring together farmers and eaters, organizations, state leaders, legislators and individuals to virtually celebrate with a variety of lunch-and-learn opportunities and resources.

Each day of the week features different voices in the food and farm system presenting on a range of topics that focus on how powerful and important the soil beneath our feet is to Illinois.

“The health of Illinois food, water, economy and environment are rooted in the health of Illinois soils. These soils, the best in the world, have the ability to sink carbon and reverse climate change, grow nutritious food for Illinois communities and keep waterways clean. Yet every year soils are lost or degraded because their value is overlooked. Everyone in Illinois is impacted by the health of Illinois soils,” said Liz Rupel, Illinois Stewardship Alliance lead organizer.

“Only 90 years ago, U.S. agriculture went through its most trying times in its existence with a combination of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the Great Plains,” added Richard Lyons, who farms in Harvel and was a leading voice behind the farmer-led legislation.

“Through greater knowledge, innovation and technology, Illinois farmers have moved toward a greater understanding of the soil biome. This resilience has increased our productivity, rejuvenated our soil and is helping us improve our water quality. Why should we not celebrate?”

Soil Health Week is virtual, free and open to the public. For more information about how to register, visit www.ilstewards.org/soil-health-week/.