Soil Health Isn’t a Checklist — It’s a Conversation

I have a confession:

I have a love-hate relationship with agriculture. Don’t get me wrong—I’m passionate about what I do. But let’s face it, this industry thrives on dichotomies. Organic or not? Grazing or cropping? Rewilding or modern ag? Every camp has its flag, and every flag draws a line in the dirt.

But the truth is, most of us—regardless of our methods—are trying to do the same thing: leave the land better than we found it. And maybe just want it to pencil out along the way.

The problem is, we’ve disconnected ourselves—from place, from process, and most importantly, from soil. We’ve overcomplicated stewardship, turned observation into data overload, and replaced curiosity with compliance.

This is an invitation to reconnect, to look closer, dig deeper, and think holistically about what the land is telling us.

We All Come From the Soil

You don’t have to be “regenerative” to care about soil health. And you don’t need a degree in soil science to recognize something’s off. You just need to pay attention.

Humans are deeply attuned to the land. In fact, we can detect the smell of petrichor—the earthy scent after rain—better than sharks can sense blood in the water. That scent is geosmin, released when rain hits soils rich in organic matter and microbial life.

That’s not just biology. That’s memory. Ancestral knowing. Albeit, some connected more than others.

But here’s the thing:

Modern life has us processing way too much information—soil test results, grazing schedules, grant reporting, weather apps. Our brains weren’t built for that kind of overload.

What we were built for is pattern, rhythm, and story.

So forget the spreadsheets for a moment. Let’s talk about what your soil is showing you.

The Art of Observation: 7 Soil Health Clues

The following field indicators (based in part on Noble Research Institute’s resources here) are simple, low-tech ways to read your soil and landscape.

1. Soil Cover

Is your soil bare, mulched, covered in litter, or protected by canopy? Bare soil is prone to evaporation, temperature extremes, and erosion. Strive to move along the cover spectrum, no matter the system—cropping, grazing, or otherwise.

2. Soil Color

Dig a damn hole. Is it dark and rich or pale and powdery? Moist or bone-dry? Color tells a story of organic matter, water, and microbial life.

3. Soil Structure

Is the soil tight and cloddy? Loose and crumbly? Is it “cakelike,” or does it collapse like dust? Good structure supports water infiltration, root growth, and air exchange.

4. Biological Activity

Do you see worms, bugs, fungi, roots? Hear or feel anything alive? A quiet, sterile hole can be a red flag.

5. Root Resistance

How easily do roots move through the profile? Compacted soils create resistance that limits water– rather gas exchange– and nutrient access, especially during dry spells.

6. Soil Smell

Give it a whiff. Healthy soil smells like earth, mushrooms, petrichor. If it smells sour, metallic, or like nothing at all… that’s information too.

7. Erosion

Are you seeing signs of water or wind erosion? Look for crusts, rills, sediment build-up, or exposed roots. Where water flows, soil follows—unless biology is holding it in place.

Soil Is the Foundation — But Not the Whole Picture

As I often tell clients and students: Soil is the binding of the book, not the whole story. What you do to the land, you also do to your people, your business, and your future.

Soil health is connected to:

• Plant health

• Water cycles

• Nutrient availability

• Biodiversity

• Community wellbeing

• Long-term profitability

  
  

That’s why holistic management starts with context—your goals, your quality of life, your resource base—not just inputs and outputs. And observation is step one.

So What Now?

Start small. One field. One hole. One rainy day walk. Observe. Ask questions. Build a relationship.

If you’re ready to go deeper—through soil and plant testing, conservation planning, or a conversation about your goals—I’d love to talk.

Because soil health isn’t a product.

It’s a process. A relationship.

And like any relationship, it starts with showing up and paying attention.

Let’s make sense of your soil—together.

📩 west@soilsenseconsulting.com