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Soil Health ABCs

Soil Health ABCsIowa NRCS is celebrating Back to School by featuring the ABCs of Soil Health on Twitter throughout the remainder of September 2016. Follow us each day @IowaNRCS as we unveil the next letter focusing on Soil Health.

  1. Life is remarkably ABUNDANT in health soil.
  2. Soil BACTERIA are key for soil fertility and plant health.
  3. COVER CROPS feed the soil, prevent erosion and build organic matter.
  4. Plant variety builds soil health by feeding micro-organisms a DIVERSE diet.
  5. EARTHWORMS are a farm's architect for building soil health.
  6. Billions of FUNGI, bacteria and micro-organisms are in 1 teaspoon of healthy soil.
  7. The sticky secret called GLOMALIN builds a strong soil structure.
  8. Healthy soil builds HOPE for a healthier future. Thank you farmers!
  9. Watch how reduced tillage and healthy soil improve INFILTRATION.
  10. Healthy soil does a better JOB at boosting farm productivity.
  11. We need the vast KINGDOM of living soil organisms to survive.
  12. Behold our LIVING soil. Health soil is teeming with life - above and below.
  13. There are more MICROBES in 1 teaspoon of healthy soil than people on earth.
  14. This North Dakota farmer eliminated synthetic NUTRIENTS by farming for soil health.
  15. Soil health management builds ORGANIC MATTER, increasing water holding capacity.
  16. PROTOZOA release nitrogen used by plants and members of the food web.
  17. Soil health improves water QUALITY and other off-farm benefits.
  18. Healthy soils store more water and are more RESILIENT during dry and wet periods.
  19. A SPADE or shovel is your #1 soil health evaluation tool.
  20. TILLAGE can damage well-structured healthy soil.
  21. Want to learn more about soil health? UNLOCK the Secrets.
  22. What is the VALUE of improving soil health? Get this free kit and find out.
  23. Healthy soil protects WATER quality by resisting erosion.
  24. XTRA, XTRA! You read about it on the Iowa NRCS website.
  25. Healthy soils protect YIELDS and productivity in time of drought.
  26. Read about local producers who farm with a real ZEAL for soil health.