Please first read [[Nature’s Way — DIY Instant Compost Tea — Introduction]] in the Nature’s way compost tea series. From the…
Our Soils Need Our Help
Over the past 70 years, modern farming technology has diminished soil biology and depleted soil minerals. That has resulted in nutrient-poor plants, which contributes to many of today’s health issues.
It does not have be that way.
Why do we need to change the way we grow our food?
Healthy soils lead to a sustainable production system that benefits both the environment and our well-being. In order to address the rise in modern health issues, it is essential that we move to methods that provide sustainable healthy nutrient-rich plants.
What makes soil healthy?
Healthy soils consist of sand, loam, clay and carbon structures that hold water and minerals. Most importantly, they are home for viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and other small organisms, tens of thousands of species.
These exchange minerals and complex compounds with plants for sugars made in their leaves. That symbiosis makes plants resistant against pests and diseases, gives them taste and makes us healthy.
What went wrong?
The use of artificial fertilisers and chemicals since the 1950s has reduced that symbiosis by inadvertently killing soil biology. Over time, this resulted in unhealthy plants prone to pests and diseases, needing increasingly more toxic inputs and lacking the compounds we need for our health.
The nutrients in our crops are also crucial for our gut biology, which makes the nutrients accessible to us. The effect of nutrient-poor crops have become a major factor in over 50% of today’s health issues.
It’s not difficult to fix!
We can restore soil health and grow plants that are nutrient rich by revitalising and nurturing the soil biology, and it needs to be done in gardens, on farms and in grazing land.
It does not require detailed knowledge of it, large investments or a long time to become effective — it needs a shift in mindset and management.
Our findings so far
We’ve tested a range of approaches to improve soil health, and the results have been remarkable. Home gardens have flourished, commercial farms have seen financial benefits from the first crop and graziers have increased their stocking rate.
While there’s still much to discover, we hope what we have found is of some use to you.
Revitalising Soil Biology
Discover how to fix the damage to our soil by reviving its soil biology.
DIY Compost Tea
Learn how to make your own highly concentrated nutrient and biology mix in just 5 days!
Commercial Applications
Read about the range of benefits of our methodology with immediate results with the first crop!
Wicking Beds
Build your own water and time efficient beds to grow your own healthy food anywhere!
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“Modern farming technology has reduced soil biology worldwide to the point that our food security is under serious threat.”
Peter Van Beek
DipAg, BEc, MAgrSc
“Growing healthy plants is easy; stop killing soil biology and start nurturing it. Just give it a try!
Trevor Galletly
QDA, B AgSC – 40 years in biological farming