“The emerging concept of ‘soil security’ … underpins the world’s six existential challenges: food, water and energy security, climate change abatement, biodiversity protection and human health. I believe that soil and water security will increasingly underpin global social stability and security.”
Soils for Life is an independent, non-profit organisation that works to support Australian farmers to regenerate soils, for resilient people, communities, businesses and landscapes.
Major General The Honourable Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC, Soils for Life founder and Australia’s inaugural National Soils Advocate
OUR IMPACT
For almost a decade, our mission has been to raise awareness by finding and sharing the stories of Australia’s leading farmers. These stories have inspired thousands, showing how soil stewardship can help solve our greatest challenges.
Now, as curiosity grows, the challenge is to ensure every interested farmer has the support they need to move from curiosity to confidence. We’re helping them do that – through safe-to-fail trials, practical guides, training and peer learning communities that break down the barriers to change.
This year’s Impact Report shares highlights from that work: new Practice Guides, flagship cropping projects, a landscape rehydration partnership with the Mulloon Institute, a spotlight on regeneration in the rangelands, and our growing focus on soil and human health.
Together, we can create a ripple effect – turning curiosity into confident action, supporting more farmers to adopt regenerative practices, and influencing industry and government to follow.
OUR VISION
We are working to realise a world where healthy, regenerated soils and landscapes support profitable food-producing businesses, thriving and resilient people and regional communities, and abundant and nutritious food.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to support Australian farmers to regenerate soils, for resilient people, communities, businesses and landscapes.
Why soil?
Soil is one of the earth’s most important natural resources. Without soil, life as we know it would simply not be possible.
Soil is the foundation of all natural systems. It enables plants to grow, provides habitat for the planet’s countless species, produces clean water and plays a crucial role in regulating our climate.
Unfortunately, soils around Australia have been degraded and in many places are continuing to degrade.
Regenerative agriculture
Leading farmers in Australia and around the world have shown that it is possible to farm in ways that not only reduce environmental impacts, but actually build and improve the function of soil and other natural systems.
At Soils for Life, we use the term ‘regenerative agriculture’ to describe any system of principles, practices and decision-making processes that effectively rebuild soil and landscape diversity and function through agriculture. A ‘regenerative’ approach to agriculture aims to rehabilitate, enhance and work with – rather than against – ecosystem processes, placing a premium on soil health.
Read our case studies
Support our work
We are an energetic and passionate team of soil scientists, agro-ecologists, researchers, and communications and engagement specialists. Our work is possible thanks to the generosity of donors and grant-makers and the commitment of our farming champions. Gifts made to Soils for Life are tax deductible.
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