Organic matter matters

Soils are one of the most complex biological communities. A teaspoon of soil has more than 180 million bacteria, according to USDA’s Hal Collins. Managing soil organic matter is usually not a priority for most farmers who must worry about yield, pest management, labor, and other things that impact the bottom line. But practices that improve soil organic matter contribute more than any other resource to a farm’s long-term productivity, says a U.S. Department of ­Agriculture soil scientist. Adding soil amendments, such as compost, crop residues, and farm or municipal wastes, not only builds soil organic matter, but can supply […]