Healthy soils are key to producing good harvests with minimal pest problems. How to create that balanced soil ecosystem, however, remains a challenge for even the most experienced growers. 
Building Soils for Better Crops unlocks the secret of maintaining a diverse ecosystem below ground to foster healthy crops above. Ecological soil management, as detailed by the soil experts who wrote the book, can raise fertility and yields while reducing environmental impacts. The 240-page Building Soils contains detailed information about soil structure and the management practices that affect soils, as well as practical information like how to interpret soil test results. 
Some of the soil-building strategies include: 
 Increasing soil organic matter 
 Using appropriate tillage 
 Incorporating animal manures 
 Making and using composts 
 Integrating cover crops into rotations 
 Reducing erosion 
 Methods to avoid and decrease soil compaction

Building Soils for Better Crops

Engineering & Transportation

FRED MAGDOFF

Harold Van Es

Engineering

Sustainable Agriculture Network

Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. Case studies of farmers from across the country provide inspiring examples of how soil and whole farms have been renewed through these techniques. A must-read for farmers, educators and students alike. Written by University of Vermont plant and soil science professor emeritus Fred Magdoff and Cornell University soil science professor Harold van Es. Produced by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

SARE Outreach

"Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background-from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. Case studies of farmers from across the country provide inspiring examples of how soil and whole farms have been renewed through these techniques. A must-read for farmers, educators and students alike"--

Building Soils for Better Crops Ecological Management for Healthy Soils

Science & Math

Agricultural Sciences

SARE Outreach Publications

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Books by Harold Van Es