The Holistic Approach to Soil and Conservation

Because Soil Is Life

“Carbon is the currency of life. The rapid formation of carbon-rich topsoil is the greatest priority and opportunity of our time”– Rattan Lal, Ohio State University, awarded Nobel Prize Certificate.

Soil health is critical for our health and that of generations to come. There is no better practice for soil health than Holistic Management. In fact, Holistic Management has helped thousands of farmers, ranchers and land stewards around the world to create more healthy soil which provides many benefits including: improved water infiltration, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.

Take the time to dive into the amazing world of soil and learn how we can grow more topsoil to produce nutrient-dense food, creating healthy families, thriving communities and better wildlife habitat.

The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth

Holistic Management Regenerates Grasslands

Holistic Management & Carbon Sequestration

Understanding The Soil Surface

Sequestering Carbon in Agricultural Soils

Plants: A Bridge for Atmospheric & Soil Carbon

Soil Carbon Cowboys

The Soil Story

Research Articles & Soil Explained

Keith Weber, Idaho State University, Research On Holistic Planned Grazing and Water Infiltration

Richard Teague, Grazing Down the Carbon

Richard Teague, et al, Benefits of Multiple Paddock Grazing on Rangelands

Improved Grazing Management Increases Terrestrial Invertebrate Inputs that Feed Trout in Wyoming Rangeland Streams

Soil Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Lands: Societal Benefits and Policy Implications

Livestock Grazing, Wildlife Habitat and Rangeland Values

SOS: Save our Soils

Holistic Management Improves Soil Health

With greater understanding of the importance of life in the soil for soil health and for increased land productivity, more people are turning to Holistic Management as a management tool to achieve increased forage production, water infiltration, soil carbon and organic matter and a host of other attendant benefits. Read the articles below to learn more.

Erica Frenay, Shelterbelt Farm (New York)

Gabe Brown’s Regenerative Farming Practices (North Dakota)

Greg Judy (Green Pastures, Missouri)

Integrating Crops and Livestock for Profit (Kansas)

Shady Maple Farm (Idaho)

Springbockvley Farm (Namibia)—Increasing Plants and Diversity

The Wofford Ranch (Colorado)

Working with Carbon on the Ranney Ranch (New Mexico)

Improving Organic Matter and Pasture Performance while Maintaining Milk Production

Improving Ecosystems & Wildlife Habitat

Land owners, agency personnel, and agricultural producers interested in land conservation and wildlife have found Holistic Management to be a powerful tool for improving wildlife habitat. Through effective use of the Holistic Management decision-making process to create common ground on determining intended outcome for the land and effective use of tools, many people have significantly improved wildlife habitat and numbers and types of species. Likewise, Holistic Planned Grazing has proved a powerful tool to regenerate the land while taking into account wildlife needs.