National Soil Health Day Packet

ON JUNE 23, 2019, WE WILL CELEBRATE THE INAUGURAL

NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

Recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our Nation's soil resources.

— U.S. SENATE, JUNE 23, 2008

WHAT IS NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY? On June 23, 2008, the United States Senate signed a bi-partisan bill to celebrate soil health and soil health professionals, while clearly stating that our soil is a vital natural resource. Now, let's put that declaration into action and bring it to the local level.

At Acres U.S.A., the leader in soil health education since 1971, we are starting National Soil Health Day to help create positive action to protect our soil and education on the importance of sound soil management. Due to a changing climate and increasing populations, our nation's farmers are focusing more and more on soil resilience. Join us in celebrating this day, and giving our farmers, land managers and soil health industry professionals a day to celebrate the importance of soil health.

JUNE 23, 2019: NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT. CELEBRATE SOIL HEALTH DAY. JUNE 23, 2019: NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

JUNE 23, 2019: NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

SOIL HEALTH DAY GOALS #1: To increase awareness of the importance of soil health to our food system and to the vitality of our forests and streams. #2: To provide opportunities for soil health professionals, soil scientists, nonprofits and farmers to educate and reach a mass audience.

#3: To recognize the importance of dedicating resources and policies to build resilient, productive soil by helping states, counties, cities and any other organization start or refine their commitment to soil health.

Increase Awareness.

Provide Opportunities.

Recognize Importance.

JUNE 23, 2019: NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

TIMING

2019 YEAR 1: PLANT THE SEED We will announce the first Healthy Soil Day on June 23. We will celebrate with a small group of businesses, nonprofits and individuals and ask others to join.

2020 YEAR 2: GERMINATION We will host our first Healthy Soil Day field event. We have our first states signing on with their own celebration of their soil health industry.

2021 YEAR 3: PROPAGATION The 50th anniversary of Acres U.S.A. and two years of momentum should make 2021 a big year in soil health.

Our field days are expanded, and we now have 10 states signed on.

2022 YEAR 4: HARVEST Soil Health Day, backed by 20 states, now supports educational farm tours and field days all over the country, focusing on the important soil health work going on across the country.

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WHY SOIL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT What is the Potential Economic Impact of Soil Health?

Agriculture, food and related industries contribute $992 billion (5.5 percent) to the U.S. GDP (USDA ERS 2015).

Agriculture and its related industries provide 11 percent of U.S. employment.

Does Soil Health Go Beyond Agriculture?

Well-managed agricultural land provides open space and scenic views; biodiversity and wildlife habitat; and critical ecological services like fire suppression, floodplain management, and carbon sequestration (Heimlich and Krupa 1994; Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development 2003; Hellerstein et al. 2002; Farm Foundation 2004; Swinton et. al. 2007; Duke 2008; Freedgood and Fydenkez 2017).

“Productive land is neither limitless nor inexhaustible.” — Hugh Hammond Bennett, 1959

TALKING POINTS Can You Measure Soil Health?

The advent of NRCS’ National Resources Inventory (NRI) in 1977 made it possible to track the conditions and trends of soil, water, and related resources.

Are Soil Health & Climate Change Related?

Can We Make A Big Enough Impact?

Farmers and ranchers manage more than one billion acres of U.S. land, and agricultural practices that sequester carbon and improve soil health—increasing soil productivity, resiliency, and versatility—are the next frontier of agricultural innovation.

Between non-federal and federal lands, America’s farmers and ranchers make use of a diverse agricultural landscape that covers 55 percent of the land area in the continental United States.

— American Farmland Trust

JUNE 23, 2019: NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH DAY

HOW TO SUPPORT SOIL HEALTH DAY 01. STATE LEGISLATURES Ask your state agriculture department to adopt a resolution (next 2 pages) acknowledging June 23, 2019 as your state's Soil Health Day.

02. NONPROFITS Use Soil Health Day to support your fundraising and public relations efforts with events or public awareness campaigns.

03. FARMERS/CO-OPS Organize a field day to show the local community who, why and how their food is grown.

Also, your organization, whether it's a nonprofit, farm, school, or business can also recognize National Soil Health Day. We included a resolution just for you.

04. SCHOOLS Start a safe soil movement at your school by learning how to care for your soil, and what types of care are the most healthy for students.

05. BUSINESSES Hold a soil health sale or event for your customers to help connect experts to those interested in soil health.

National Soil Health Day Resolution: Government To Whom It May Concern: Dedicating every June 23 as a day to recognize soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our soil resources.

The STATE (GOVERNMENT BODY) OF _________________

(DATE) _________________

considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our State's (GOVERNMENT BODY) soil resources.

Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are intricately linked and the sustainable use of soil affects climate, water and air quality, human health, biodiversity, food safety, and agricultural production; Whereas soil is a dynamic system which performs many functions and services vital to human activities and ecosystems; Whereas, despite soil's importance to human health, the environment, nutrition and food, feed, fiber, and fuel production, there is little public awareness of the importance of soil protection; Whereas the degradation of soil can be rapid, while the formation and regeneration processes can be very slow; Whereas protection of our State (GOVERNMENT BODY) soil based on the principles of preservation and enhancement of soil functions, prevention of soil degradation, mitigation of detrimental use, and restoration of degraded soils is essential to the long-term prosperity of our State, Counties & Cities; Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in the United States;

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

National Soil Health Day Resolution: Government Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in this State (GOVERNMENT BODY); Whereas soil contamination coupled with poor or inappropriate soil-management practices continues to leave contaminated sites unremediated; and Whereas soil can be managed in a sustainable manner, which preserves its capacity to deliver ecological, economic, and social benefits, while maintaining its value for future generations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the State (GOVERNMENT BODY) —

(1) recognizes it as necessary to improve knowledge, exchange information, and develop and implement best practices for soil management, soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and longterm use of the State's soil resources; (2) recognizes the important role of soil scientists and soils professionals, who are well-equipped with the information and experience needed to address the issues of today and those of tomorrow in managing the State's soil resources; (3) commends soil scientists and soils professionals for their efforts to promote education, outreach, and awareness necessary for generating more public interest in and appreciation for soils; and (4) acknowledges the promise of soil scientists and soils professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all Americans by improving stewardship of the soil, combating soil degradation, and ensuring the future protection and sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.

SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________ DATE: _________________

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

Soil Health Day Resolution: Organization/Business To Whom It May Concern: Dedicating every June 23 as a day to recognize soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our soil resources.

ORGANIZATION __________________________________________________

(DATE) _________________

considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our environment's soil resources.

Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are intricately linked and the sustainable use of soil affects climate, water and air quality, human health, biodiversity, food safety, and agricultural production; Whereas soil is a dynamic system which performs many functions and services vital to human activities and ecosystems; Whereas, despite soil's importance to human health, the environment, nutrition and food, feed, fiber, and fuel production, there is little public awareness of the importance of soil protection; Whereas the degradation of soil can be rapid, while the formation and regeneration processes can be very slow; Whereas protection of our soil based on the principles of preservation and enhancement of soil functions, prevention of soil degradation, mitigation of detrimental use, and restoration of degraded soils is essential to the long-term prosperity of our organization/institution; Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in the United States;

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

Soil Health Day Resolution: Organizations Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in this State; Whereas soil contamination coupled with poor or inappropriate soil-management practices continues to leave contaminated sites unremediated; and Whereas soil can be managed in a sustainable manner, which preserves its capacity to deliver ecological, economic, and social benefits, while maintaining its value for future generations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Institution/Organization -(1) recognizes it as necessary to improve knowledge, exchange information, and develop and implement best practices for soil management, soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and longterm use of the environment's soil resources; (2) recognizes the important role of soil scientists and soils professionals, who are well-equipped with the information and experience needed to address the issues of today and those of tomorrow in managing the environment's soil resources; (3) commends soil scientists and soils professionals for their efforts to promote education, outreach, and awareness necessary for generating more public interest in and appreciation for soils; and (4) acknowledges the promise of soil scientists and soils professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all humans by improving stewardship of the soil, combating soil degradation, and ensuring the future protection and sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.

SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________ DATE: _________________

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

Soil Health Day Resolution: Individual To Whom It May Concern: Dedicating every June 23 as a day to recognize soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our soil resources.

NAME: __________________________________________________

(DATE) _________________

considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our environment's soil resources.

Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are intricately linked and the sustainable use of soil affects climate, water and air quality, human health, biodiversity, food safety, and agricultural production; Whereas soil is a dynamic system which performs many functions and services vital to human activities and ecosystems; Whereas, despite soil's importance to human health, the environment, nutrition and food, feed, fiber, and fuel production, there is little public awareness of the importance of soil protection; Whereas the degradation of soil can be rapid, while the formation and regeneration processes can be very slow; Whereas protection of our soil based on the principles of preservation and enhancement of soil functions, prevention of soil degradation, mitigation of detrimental use, and restoration of degraded soils is essential to the long-term prosperity of our organization/institution; Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in the United States;

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

Soil Health Day Resolution: Individual Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention and control should consider soil protection provisions; Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent and effective legislative framework for common principles and objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use of soils in this State; Whereas soil contamination coupled with poor or inappropriate soil-management practices continues to leave contaminated sites unremediated; and Whereas soil can be managed in a sustainable manner, which preserves its capacity to deliver ecological, economic, and social benefits, while maintaining its value for future generations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That I -(1) recognize it as necessary to improve knowledge, exchange information, and develop and implement best practices for soil management, soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and longterm use of the environment's soil resources; (2) recognize the important role of soil scientists and soils professionals, who are well-equipped with the information and experience needed to address the issues of today and those of tomorrow in managing the environment's soil resources; (3) commend soil scientists and soils professionals for their efforts to promote education, outreach, and awareness necessary for generating more public interest in and appreciation for soils; and (4) acknowledge the promise of soil scientists and soils professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all humans by improving stewardship of the soil, combating soil degradation, and ensuring the future protection and sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.

SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________ DATE: _________________

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com

SOIL HEALTH DAY June 23, 2019

Questions? Want to Learn More?

Acres U.S.A, PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80631 (800) 355-5313 • info@email.com www.acresusa.com / www.ecofarmingdaily.com