Florida Soil Health Coalition
about us
🌻 We are the Florida Soil Health Coalition, a new initiative dedicated to connecting Florida’s farmers, ranchers, soil scientists, conservationists, and concerned consumers. Our mission is to advance land stewardship and farm profitability by nurturing life from the soil up. Together, we aim to create a sustainable future where healthy soil leads to thriving ecosystems and vibrant communities.
🌍 As we embark on this journey, we invite you to help us build a coalition that makes a real impact in Florida. By addressing the root causes of soil degradation and building resilient agricultural systems capable of sustaining future generations, we can reimagine our relationship with the world.
our vision
☀️ Imagine a world where farmers and ranchers cultivate high-quality, nutrient-dense food in thriving, healthy soil. Picture diverse fields bursting with vibrant vegetables, luscious fruits, and thick pasture grasses for livestock. Envision food forests alive with communities of birds, insects, and wildlife, alongside crystal-clear rivers and springs. In this world, farms are not only profitable but also support their families, enrich surrounding communities, prioritize ecological health, and uplift collective well-being.
🌱 The fact that regenerative agriculture has the capacity to simultaneously protect ecosystems and increase biodiversity, increase nutrient content of produce and meat, and stabilize macro- and micro-climates, is nothing short of a godsend. Regenerative agriculture is a stunning example of how an interconnected systems-thinking approach can foster health and abundance at so many levels. Not only can it increase crop yield, but it can capture additional carbon, retain precious water, reduce erosion, increase nutrition of our food, and provide a foundation for a more regenerative mindset in our communities.
our initiatives
Link with like-minded famers who have more or different experience that help inform your own farm’s systems.
Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring
Regenerative Farmers opening up their farms to showcase what they’re growing, and increase public awareness of farming with nature instead of against nature.
Farm Field Days
Attend informative and inspiring webinars with covering topics like building organic manner, increasing species diversity, irrigation management, and more!
Monthly Webinars
Raising awareness on the healthy soil to healthy food connection, the importance of locally grown food with higher nutrient density, the importance of supporting farmers in their search for healthier ways to farm, conserve water, and create a living, thriving community.
Public Outreach
our core values
5 pillars of soil health
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Understand Your Context
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Minimal Soil Disturbance
(i.e., tillage, pesticide, herbicides, or fungicides, & synthetic fertilizers)
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Maximize Biological Diversity
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Keep Soil Covered
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Maintain Living Roots As Much As Possible
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Integrate Animals
BENEFITS OF regeneration
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Biodiversity Enhancement: By promoting diverse crop rotations and integrating livestock, regenerative farming enhances biodiversity both above and below ground. Soil health supports a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, mycelium, insects, pollinators, and other critters that contribute to broad ecosystem health and create wildlife habitat. This diversity increases ecosystem resilience, making farms more adaptable to changing climate conditions.
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Better Water Quality: Even small improvements in soil organic matter help soils retain significantly more water, reduce chemical & sediment runoff, revive microclimates, and mitigate droughts & floods.
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Reduction of Chemical Inputs: Regenerative farming reduces or eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which are often derived from fossil fuels and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. This approach relies on natural processes and biological inputs to maintain soil fertility and pest control.
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Resilience to Extreme Weather: Farms practicing regenerative agriculture are often more resilient to climate extremes such as floods and droughts. The focus on soil health and biodiversity helps buffer against these impacts, ensuring more stable yields.
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Local and Sustainable Food Systems: By focusing on local inputs and closed-loop systems, regenerative farming supports sustainable food systems that reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and industrial agriculture.
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Community and Economic Benefits: Regenerative practices can revitalize rural economies by creating jobs, enhancing food security, and reducing dependency on external inputs. It also strengthens community ties through collaborative efforts in sustainable farming.
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Higher Nutrient Density: healthy soil produces food free from synthetic chemicals & pesticides, full of minerals and nutrients! With lower input costs and higher-value yields, Farmers earn more profit, and consumers reap the benefits.
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Carbon Sequestration: Earth’s soils store more carbon than its biomass & atmosphere combined. Regenerative farming practices, such as cover cropping, agroforestry, and no-till farming, enhance soil health and increase its capacity to sequester carbon. An increase of just 1% of carbon stocks would offset annual fossil fuel emissions.
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Educational and Demonstrative Value: Regenerative farms often serve as educational hubs, demonstrating sustainable practices and inspiring broader adoption of earth-friendly agriculture.
By regenerating soils through targeting our food systems, we can capture atmospheric carbon, restore the water cycle, mitigate droughts and floods, enhance life above and below ground, and heal the planet.
what members say
"The Florida Soil Health Coalition has been instrumental in educating our community about soil health and fostering regenerative agriculture and gardening practices in our rural area."
Eileen Box in Suwannee County
"We are proud to be part of a network that prioritizes soil health and environmental stewardship."
Lauren Jorgensen, Founder of Florida Soil Health Coalition, on Board of Sierra Club Florida Chapter
"The coalition's dedication to helping us plan and develop our community garden has boosted morale in our neighborhood. Their collaborative approach is truly commendable."
Pat Fleming of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church,
Live Oak, Florida
