Want to learn more about soil health? A series of 10-to-15-minute, science-centered “PED Talks” on soil health are available on YouTube. Soil peds are aggregated particles of sand, silt, clay and organic matter. Like their namesake, PED Talks combine soil-related topics including explanations of soil health, how we can improve it, and the progress that’s being made to ensure we have the healthy soils necessary to feed, clothe and fuel the world in the future.

The inaugural PED Talks include a video introduction from NRCS Chief Matt Lohr.

Other presentations include:

Shannon Cappellazzi of SHI on “Soil Health Diagnosed as You’ve Never Heard Before”

Alex Fiock of SHP on “Focusing on Soil Health from the Ground Up”

Barry Fisher of the NRCS Soil Health Division and Betsy Bower of Ceres Solutions Cooperative presenting “Partnering to Enhance Soil Health”

Jane Hardisty, former NRCS Indiana State Conservationist on “You Are Changing the World!”

Bruce Knight, a former NRCS chief, was a key collaborator on the series’ development.

“These PED talks are engaging and interesting to a wide range of audiences, from farmers to consumers, conservation organization staffers and people throughout the food production and value chain, because soil health is a goal that unifies us all,” Knight said. “They’re entertaining, they’re informative, and they deliver insight from some of the country’s leaders in the science and practice of improving soil health.”

“People say that clean water is the key to life on the planet, but the very same thing can be said about healthy soil – it is literally the foundation to productive agriculture, balanced wildlife habitats, and an overall healthy environment for all,” said NRCS Chief Matt Lohr. “These PED Talks are not only useful for our nation’s agricultural producers, but for our educators, policy makers and the general public. We all benefit from good soil health!”

“We see PED Talks as an opportunity for the nation’s conservation professionals to share their stories about soil health,” said Clare Lindahl, CEO of Soil and Water Conservation Society. “It is through these stories we can learn from one another’s experiences and together advance the art and science of soil and water conservation.”

The PED Talks series was created by the Conservation Technology Information Center, Soil Health Institute, Soil Health Partnership, Soil Science Society of America, Soil and Water Conservation Society and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The partners plan to continue recording additional presentations and releasing them on the PED Talks channel, with a focus on the next generation of scientists and farmer/innovators.

Source: Conservation Technology Information Center, Soil Health Institute, Soil Health Partnership, Soil Science Society of America, Soil and Water Conservation Society and USDA NRCS, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.