Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation for long-term success for all farms and ranches. Whether organic or conventional, raising livestock or crops, your operation will benefit when you continually improve your soil’s health. ATTRA’s soil resources can help you prevent soil erosion, increase soil organic matter and water holding capacity, manage soil fertility, and improve the profitability of your farm.
Unhealthy soil doesn’t absorb much water. Healthy soil acts like a sponge, capable of holding hundreds of thousands of gallons of water in an acre. Regenerative farming practices enable the soil to capture rainfall that otherwise might disappear as runoff. Economically, these practices can increase crop and forage production, drought resilience, access to lucrative new markets, and therefore profitability. Environmentally, they can improve soil health and biodiversity.
Soil for Water
Soil for Water supports an expanding network of farmers and ranchers who are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil. The Soil for Water project grew out of the western megadrought, which is putting a strain on agricultural producers across the country.
The free and voluntary program combines the use of appropriate technology, peer-to-peer learning, and adaptive management to encourage the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. The Soil for Water project is about building lasting infrastructure and connecting dynamic agricultural producers that will make farms, ranches, and communities more resilient in the face of persistent drought and other natural disasters.
![Ellie Fleshman of Fleshman Farms in Teton County Montana USDA NRCS Flickr CC Ellie Fleshman of Fleshman Farms in Teton County Montana USDA NRCS Flickr CC](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Ellie-Fleshman-of-Fleshman-Farms-in-Teton-County-Montana-USDA-NRCS-Flickr-CC-845x684.jpg)
Featured Topics
ATTRA’s Soil Resources
![James Burch (center) at an NCAT workshop](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/James-Burch-scaled-1-260x185.jpg)
NCAT Launches Nationwide ‘Soil for Water’ Regenerative Agriculture Project
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ep-234-podcast-photo-260x185.png)
Episode 234. State Soil Health Programs: From the Ground Up in Montana
Mike Morris, Cole Mannix, Marni Thompson, and Linda Poole
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ep-233-photo-260x185.png)
Episode 233. Aplicando prácticas de conservación a un huerta
Jose Robles y Martin Guerena
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DairyMnrCompostWindrwSunViewVnyrdsAprl06-260x185.jpg)
![healthy soil](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Healthy-soil-260x185.jpg)
Help Shape Montana’s Soil Health Future
By Linda Poole, Regenerative Grazing Specialist
![YouTube Soil health](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/YouTube-Soil-health-260x185.jpg)
NCAT Releases 19 Soil Health Innovations Videos
![grassland rio grande river](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/grassland-grande-river-260x185.jpg)
Episode 223: Do Cover Crops Steal Water? Part 2
![Sunn Hemp Plants](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ep-222-Cover-Crops-1-260x185.jpg)
Episode 222: Do Cover Crops Steal Water? Part 1
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ep-219-photo-260x185.jpg)
Episode 219. Soil Health: the Land Core Approach to Climate Mitigation
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sheep-and-goats-260x185.jpg)
Demystifying Regenerative Grazing and Soil Health with Dr. Allen Williams
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/subsurfer-feature-image-260x185.jpg)
Novel Nutrient Management Method: Applying Poultry Litter in Subsurface Bands
By Nina Prater, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
![You can assess soil health with your senses and simple tools](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Good-tilth.md_-260x185.jpg)
Soil Health and Composting with Nina Prater and Matt Casteel
![Matt Casteel of Wurmworks](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MattCasteel_anonymous-1_wurmworks_courtesy-260x185.jpg)
The Power of Worms: Helpful Tips for Composting Success
By Nina Prater, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ep-210-photo-matt-casteel-260x185.jpg)
Episode 210. Harnessing the Power of Worms in Composting
![Linda Poole](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/poole-podcast-260x185.jpg)
Episode 209. Meet NCAT: Linda Poole Explains There’s No Cookbook for Regenerative Grazing but Networks are a Key Ingredient
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/legume-nodulation-260x185.jpg)