Our Story
Soils for Life was founded in 2013 by former Governor General Major General the Honorable Michael Jeffery, Australia’s first National Soils Advocate. As a highly respected public figure, with a passion for agriculture and ability to connect with Australians from all walks of life, Major General Jeffery put soil firmly on the national agenda.
For almost a decade, Soils for Life has worked tirelessly to uncover and promote the stories of farmer innovators across the country. We are now moving into a new phase, working to support and enable the next cohort of soil stewards to regenerate Australia’s soils and landscapes.
Our Vision
We want a future of:
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Healthy, regenerated soils and landscapes
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Nutritious and abundant food
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Productive and profitable food and fibre systems
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Resilient and connected communities
Our Mission
To support Australian farmers in regenerating soil and landscapes, to build natural and social capital, and transform food and fibre systems.
The challenge
Soil is one of the earth’s most important natural resources and is essential for healthy plant growth, food production and ecosystem services such as clean, plentiful water and air.
Our soils help regulate the earth’s climate and they store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined, making soil regeneration a key plank in efforts to combat climate change and increasing extremes of weather.
Yet Australian soils are degraded and are continuing to degrade through erosion and loss of soil function. This threatens not just farm productivity and profitability, but also our nation’s food security, access to water and ecological health.