Soil Health Labs

Uncovering the

Benefits of Soil Health

Our Mission

The Soil Health Labs are located in the Environmental Health Sciences Department in the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina.  That may be surprising to most, especially since the University of South Carolina has no Ag School!  Our mission is to promote soil health, not only as something that’s good for the farmer and the environment, but also as a public health tool.  Think about it – healthy soils and healthy crops mean healthy farmers and consumers (never mind an ever-improving environment).  Our continued research shows that if farmers integrate the 4 principles of soil health

that they can actually improve and regenerate conditions.  Follow along with us and let’s uncover the benefits of soil health together!

Latest News

Restoring the Soil through Cover Crops (Jackson 1/2)

Video

Before we began our Cover 5 project last fall, we asked each farmer involved to show us their worst performing plot of land. After all, what better way to display the power of soil health than through taking land no one wants and transforming it into land that consistently out-produces the rest? … For those…

Cover Crops Gaining Popularity (Rhodes 1/2)

Video

“I’ve seen a lot more cover crops in the area than I’ve ever seen.” Cover crops are a tool many farmers are turning to for it’s laundry list of benefits. Check out first time cover cropper Nathaniel Rhodes of Orangeburg County discuss his thoughts a couple of months into his first cover cropping experience!

Cover Crops and Soil Moisture (Harrisons 6/6)

Video

“This time of year (May) you can plow a field up and in almost a day a lot of the moisture is evaporated. When you [use cover crops] the moisture content in the ground remains more constant because you’ve got cover as opposed to it being bare ground that dries out.”