Healthy Soil, Healthy Food - A chat with a soil expert
Becoming an organic farmer has radically changed my way of thinking. I view at things from a much more holistic perspective. I think about where our food comes from, how we've been conditioned to see and understand food in modern society, the choices we make for convenience rather than necessity, our values around food, and the impact our food choices have on our planet and our health.
Growing organically has awakened me to the importance of the earth and the health of the soil. It impacts on everything. Optimal produce, which enriches physical health and wellbeing, starts with the quality of soil in which our food grows.
I see soil as a life force. Fertile soil is not only an invaluable resource for a thriving and biodiverse environment to grow food, but but it’s also incredible for the feet that walk on it. The therapeutic reception of walking on stones and through the soil in a practice of earthing is common practice at Spring Lakes Farm. We barely wear shoes.
So what is so important about soil? What are the things you really need to know before you make your choice to purchase mass produced, plastic smothered produce at large chain supermarkets?
“The birthright of all living things is health. This law is true for soil, plant, animal and man: the health of these four is one connected chain. Any weakness or defect in the health of any earlier link in the chain is carried on to the next and succeeding links, until it reaches the last, namely, man”
I sat down with Adam Willson, the Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia, and stall holder at Northey Street City Farm markets (where we also sell our produce every Sunday). Adam knows a lot about soil so he’s the perfect man to divulge some useful info.
Adam, can you give us a quick run-down, what is it you do? Apart from growing the tastiest leafy greens in Australia, how do you spend your time? And you carry a few qualifications, what are they?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture form Sydney University. I mentor students doing the NEC Diploma of Organic Farming. My hobby is studying Wing Chun at “Wing Chun for Life” and for this reason Im passionate about returning the Chi back into food,
Can you please explain what ‘returning Chi back into food’ is?
Chi is an ancient Chinese term that means that the food has energy and doesn’t make you feel tired.
This is an observation of mine. It’s harsh, yet true. Health related illnesses, both physiological and mental, are increasing. Our overall health is crippled. Would it be fair of me to say the decline in good quality nutrition is the reason why the quality of our health is falling apart?
This is one reason but the other is we need a diversity of foods to stay healthy. This is why we grow so many different foods.
So what foods do you grow, and do you sell all of them at Northey Street City Farm Markets?
A wide selection of up to 38 different vegetables and fruit, seasonally sold at Northey St.
How would you define ‘good quality’ nutrition’?
Food rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and secondary metabolites.
If a layman were to take the time to look at soil, they’ll notice that it looks like dirt. And it smells like dirt. What do you see when you look at soil? If you were to come to my farm, and you picked up a handful of soil and let it run through your fingers, what are some of the things you would notice?
It has to be rich in humus, dark and fluffy.
What telling signs speak the difference between healthy and unhealthy soil?
Softness, dark colour and presence of white feeder roots are signs of healthy soil.
Soil is complicated, yet it can be broken down into basics – to make it simple, tell me what kind of soil people need to grow their vegetables. Do you need different soil, for example, for fruit? Root vegetables? Leafy greens? Herbs? Or can you plonk you seedlings all into the one patch, water it and then watch your food grow?
The soil needs to be healthy and mineral rich. The key is to plant your fruit trees and vegetables in soil that doesn’t limit their genetic potential.
Growing good quality food at a high yield is not as simple as planting the seed, watering and then hoping for the best. You need to feed your soil. As organic farmers we do not use synthetic fertilisers, we feed our crops composted chicken poo laced with whatever minerals the crop needs. Interestingly so, we noticed our yield was down – our sweet potato babies had stunted growth. The answer was potassium. Tell me what are some of the common deficiencies in our soil?
Just about everything when compared to young European soils. Our soils are many millions of years old, not formed during the last ice age 15,000 years ago. Our soils are up to 100 times lower that the northern hemisphere so its important to compost to enhance its health.
What are some of the common differences in organic soil and soil that has been affected by chemicals?
There should more hyphal fungi and organic matter in organic soil.
What is so important about hyphal fungi and organic matter?
Mycoorhizal fungi need humus to grow and supply the plants with essential nutrients.
You grow organically. And you eat organically. What can you say to who’s currently eating conventional foods but is interested in organic to give them the confidence to make the change to organics?
Try to eat natural unprocessed food for two weeks. Even organic junk food is bad for you. If it is local this is a bonus. If they are organic ask your growers if they are replenishing the soil with compost and minerals – and not using chicken manure pellets (nearly 90% of the organic vegetable growers use chicken manure pellets). Eat as wide a selection of natural foods as possible.
Glossary:
Amino acids – there are 20 amino acids, 8 of which are essential. They are essential because the human body cannot produce them, so you need to obtain them from the food you eat. The essential amino acids are required for the body to be able to synthesise the remaining non-essential amino acids. Amino acids are crucial for the development and protection of the human brain, organs, nerves, muscles – pretty much all of us. Protein is made up of a combination of amino acids. If any of the 8 essential amino acids are absent, the body’s ability to synthesise the non-essential amino acids is hindered. Foods high in all essential amino acids are eggs, red meat and quinoa.
Vitamins – The world of vitamins is a complex one. It’s not as simple as taking a synthetic vitamin to warrant good health. Vitamins work in sync with cofactors such as enzymes, coenzymes, trace minerals and other vitamins. Vitamins in a synthetic form, taken in isolation, are way less effective than a vitamin that is taken in its natural form – because the natural form has all the accompanying cofactors to help support its function. You will find all of this in good quality food.
Minerals – Adam sums things up nicely in his article “Nutritional Supplements – have we forgotten to eat real food?”
The word “nutrient dense” refers to the amount of minerals, enzymes and amino acids found in the food you buy. It is directly attributed to the amount of soil humus and applied minerals in the soil. When a plant is able to absorb enough minerals from the soil it produces essential anti oxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Organic Matter – carbon compounds in the soil, left behind by decomposing plants and other organisms.
Humus – this is what remains in the soil once compost decays – full of nutrients which plants thrive on and also plays a major role in soil structure and it’s moisture-holding capacity.
Mycoorhizal fungae – is a living organism with a unique relationship with plants. They grow on the roots of plants, pull carbon from the air and store it in the soil – building on the health of the soil. Hyphae are long fingers of funghi searching for nutrients and water. Myccorhizal fungi invade plant root – called symbiosis. Plants give myccorhizal fungi sugars and water, fungi give plants copper, zinc, phosphate other compounds. Hyphae will not thrive unless soil rich in humus, and therefore the organic matter is not good enough.