Soapbox #2
“Soap & Soil”—Our Almost Name
Why? Because of my many passions, soil health is right up there with soap.
The health of our soil is foundational to the health of our entire ecosystem—including us!
Before we dive in, a quick note. When I refer to “healthy soil” in this context, I mean living soil—soil teeming with diverse microbial life that recycles dead organic matter into nutrients that support new life. That’s soil composition; now let’s talk functionality.
Soil is a growing medium for our food. If you talk with a local regenerative farmer, you are likely to hear: Soil. Is. Everything. Healthy soil enables farmers to grow better food in higher volumes with less water and without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Take a minute to think about each element in that last sentence—it should be fairly mind blowing.
But soil is much more than a growing medium. Healthy soil can filter pollutants out of our air and water and even break down certain pollutants into less harmful compounds. That’s huge! Who doesn’t want to breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water?
How do we protect and promote soil health? Compost.
Composting is the earth’s way of recycling everything—there is no “trash” in nature. All living things die, decompose, return to earth, and then provide nutrients to support new life. It’s the Circle of Life, a la The Lion King. Truly awe-inspiring creative ingenuity (I mean the circle and its creator, but I also love Elton John).
Landfill conditions preclude the earth’s naturally regenerative cycle and produce undesirable byproducts. By composting, we reap the benefits of living soil, and we avoid the drawbacks of landfills—it’s a win, win!
You can compost at your home, or you can use an off-site composting service. In Kansas City, curbside composting through Compost Collective KC is the ultimate convenience. For a lower price point, check out their bin swap program—this is particularly great if you already visit the farmer’s market or one of their many other bin swap locations.
Warning: Once you start composting, don’t be surprised if you develop a physical aversion to throwing food in the trash. If we eat out, I put food scraps, paper napkins, and the like in my purse or pocket to compost at home. I have also been known to pack frozen bags of food scraps in my luggage if I can’t find a place to compost when I’m out of town. (No one who knows me well is even slightly surprised by this.)
So why aren’t we named “Soap and Soil”? Believe it or not, there is already a small Missouri company operating under the name “Soil and Soap”—proof that I’m not the only one who thinks these two topics go hand in hand. I bet she stuffs her purse with dirty napkins and food scraps, too.
Peace,
Jen
