World Soil Day highlights the role of healthy soils in our environment and agricultural production. Without healthy soils the environment suffers, and our farmers will struggle to produce the clean, green produce for which they are world-famous.

Our food depends on the quality of Australia’s soil. World Soil Day celebrates this vital piece of the food puzzle and its contribution not only to what ends up on our plates, but also to climate regulation, water, biodiversity and natural habitat.

At The Lost Plot in Port Macquarie, local volunteers share techniques and strategies to keep the soil healthy and produce loads of nutritious, healthy, fruits and vegetables.

Through the National Landcare Program the government is investing a total of $1 billion over four years to 2017-18 to help communities deliver more sustainable agriculture, and support the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of Australia’s natural environment.

This funding supports farmers and other land managers to adopt practices that promote soil health, including reduced tillage, retain good ground cover to reduce soil loss from erosion, and address soil acidification.

Initiatives like World Soil Day and people like our national advocate for soil health, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, get people talking and looking at better ways to manage and understand our soils.

World Soil Day unites scientists, farmers and other land managers, and offers up unique insights on the processes underpinning changes in our landscape, how they can be improved, and how we can all work together to make sure the foundation of our food production remains healthy and prosperous for generations to come.

For information about Landcare Australia, or to connect with your local Landcare group, visit www.landcareaustralia.org.au