Healthy Soils for a Healthier Planet

Highlighting the important role of soil health in finding climate solutions

Date

Dec. 17, 2019

Time

9:30–10:30 a.m. ET

Participants

Ann Bartuska, Maria Bowman, Sally Flis, Eileen McLellan, Bill Northey, and Harold van Es

Event Series

RFF Live

Event Details

The US Department of Agriculture defines soil health as “the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” But what does the term mean in practice, and why does it matter for human health, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem resilience? On December 17, 2019, Resources for the Future (RFF) and Cornell University’s Atkinson Center for Sustainability hosted an event, "Healthy Soils for a Healthier Planet," where we explored these questions and highlighted the important role of soil health in finding climate solutions.

The RFF Live event opened with a short primer on soil health, including an overview of the current health of US soils, what healthier soils might look like in the future, and how research suggests we can foster such improvements. A panel of experts shared perspectives from various sectors—government, industry, and the conservation community—on how practices, technologies, and policies related to soil health are evolving.

Speakers

Maria Bowman, Soil Health Partnership
Sally Flis, The Fertilizer Institute
Eileen McLellan, Environmental Defense Fund
Under Secretary Bill Northey, US Department of Agriculture
Harold van Es, Cornell University
Moderator: Ann M. Bartuska, Resources for the Future

Event Video

Topics

Participants

Ann M. Bartuska

Senior Advisor

Ann M. Bartuska is a senior advisor at RFF. Her research focuses on natural resources and forestry, especially a consideration of natural climate solutions through forests and agricultural lands.

Maria Bowman

Lead Scientist, Soil Health Partnership

Sally Flis

Senior Director, Agronomy, The Fertilizer Institute

Eileen McLellan

Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund

Bill Northey

Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, US Department of Agriculture

Harold van Es

Professor, Cornell University

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