How would you describe your relationship to the soil on your farm?
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We asked farmers across Europe this question. The answers we got are moving testimonials to a deep and heartfelt relationship between farmers and their soil. A relationship of give and take, of care and worries, and of hard work on both sides. Of the farmers we met, many talked about their soil as a family member. Soil evoked strong feelings. Healthy ground meant happiness, whereas dry, depleted or weed-ridden fields, caused anxiety and sadness. At the core of these emotions was the acute awareness that healthy soil is vital for agriculture.
At Yara, we stand by all farmers in their hard work to improve and maintain soil health and vitality
The farmers below have one thing in common – improve and maintain good soil health as top of their priority. They deal with the challenges of climate change, drought, or floods by restoring soil health through regenerative practices. That is how they secure resilient crops and the prosperity and longevity of their livelihoods. Their thoughts and feelings are an inspiration to us. We all owe these farmers gratitude for the attention, affection and care they give to their soils.
“I watch my soil through the seasons.
In the winter, I check if the soil absorbs the rain.
In the spring, you have the power of greens,
the vines are still dry and don’t speak.
We need to control the heat in summer.
While in autumn, you look for cracks.
You don’t want to see cracks.”
“You need to listen to the soil.
What could I have done differently?
We don’t always succeed.
All winter I have been away from my soil.
Now the snow is melting.
It is like seeing an old friend again.
We will strengthen our friendship.
If I look after my soil, I get a new chance every year to do better.
Right now, with all the joys of spring,
nothing stops us from having a perfect year.”
“I see it as my job to heal my soil,
To repair it.
Put it back to how it should be.
Give it as much as it gives us.”
“If you learn what the soil says,
you can understand a great deal.
And learn to do well.
The soil tells you quite a lot if you observe.
The worm casts, how the root system looks.
What do I learn from this plant
about what the soil needs?
I feel humble.
I want to learn and understand more and more.”
“If my soil could hear me,
I would ask:
What makes you happy?
What do you need?
What do you not need?
I will treat you okay”
“To be lucky enough to own the land
and not ruin it is the most
beautiful artform you could
wish for.”
Rooted in Renewal: Stories of farmers nurturing their soil
Read inspiring stories of farmers who work to improve soil health through sustainable farming practices
A new generation of soil healing farmers
In the UK, farmers work with a more holistic approach to improve soil health and fight challenges like weed and drought.
Meet the new generation of farmers in UKBetter soil health retains water in dry Italy
In Umbria and Tuscany, farmers improve soil health and mitigate drought with organic farming practices.
Meet Italian farmers working to improve soil healthSweden’s ambition to increase organic farming
Sweden aims to make 30% of its farmland organic by 2030.
Meet organic farmers in Skåne
