At SIMPLi, we recognize the crucial importance of soil health for long-term sustainable farming. That’s why we use field soil health tests to assess the vitality of our farms. These tests, supported by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, are essential for creating accountability for ourselves and for our farming communities. They ensure the soil that grows our products meet the highest standards in the world set by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, and unveil valuable insights about the health of our ecosystems right in the field.
Compaction Test
Our farmers conduct this test to evaluate soil compaction, which can hinder root growth and water absorption. Using specialized tools, they measure how easily the soil allows penetration. This helps us ensure optimal conditions for plant growth and water retention.
Soil Crusting
In the Regenerative Organic Certification®, we focus on preventing soil crusting, which happens when a hard layer forms on the soil’s surface and can block water and seeds from penetrating. To ensure this doesn’t happen, we examine the soil after rain or irrigation and look for crusting. By preventing soil crusting and increasing organic matter in the soil, we can promote healthier plant roots and better water absorption—both of which are essential for thriving crops.
Ecosystem Diversity
Earthworms are the real heroes in the soil health story. They indicate a thriving ecosystem underground, improving soil aeration and nutrient cycling. We count earthworms and other diversity of macro life in sample areas to gauge soil health and the effectiveness of our practices.
Cover Crops
Cover crops are like nature's helpers, reducing erosion, adding organic matter, and keeping weeds in check. We regularly assess their growth and health to ensure they are doing their job in enhancing soil structure and fertility.
Soil Color & Smell
Our farmers pay attention to soil color and smell, which reveals a lot about soil health. A dark, rich color and earthy smell indicate the presence of beneficial microorganisms. These signs mean our soil is teeming with life, ready to nourish our crops. A light brown color and sour or metallic smell indicate unhealthy soil.
These tests are at the heart of our regenerative organic farming practices and a key part of SIMPLi’s Regenerative Pathway Program (RPP). They provide us with real-time insights for informed decision-making, leading to healthier soil and offering guardrails for a scalable solution to implementing and maintaining regenerative organic agricultural practices. With each test, we are working towards a future where our crops thrive, our farmers succeed, and our planet and food systems can sustain future generations.
