About this episode
The episode explores the vital role of soil in sustaining life and discusses its health in the context of modern farming practices.
Beneath our feet is a world wide web that keeps us all alive. Estimated to be the origin of about 97% of the calories we eat, soil is fundamental to life. But it's a whole living world of its own. A biological engine, a carbon sink, and home to an abundance of bacteria, insects and worms. Tom Heap and Helen Czerski find out how soil is made, how it's faring in a world of intensive farming and how to get it back to full health. Joining Tom and Helen to dig into the hidden drama of soil are: Jack Hannam, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture & Biodiversity at the University of Greenwich’s Natural Resources Institute Duncan Farrington MBE, farmer and founder of Farrington Oils Simon Jeffery, Professor of Soil Ecology at Harper Adams University Dr Rachel Cassidy, lead scientist on Northern Ireland's Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. Andrew Baker, Soil Acoustics. Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Assistant Producers: Rebecca Rooney and Toby Field Rare Earth is produced in association with the Open University.
People in this episode
Hosts: Tom Heap, Helen Czerski
Guests: Jack Hannam, Duncan Farrington MBE, Simon Jeffery, Dr Rachel Cassidy, Andrew Baker
Topics covered
- soil health
- agriculture
- biodiversity
- sustainable farming
- ecology
- carbon sink
Keywords
- soil
- agriculture
- biodiversity
- carbon sink
- ecology
- sustainable farming
- nutrient health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Greenwich’s Natural Resources Institute, Farrington Oils, Harper Adams University, Northern Ireland's Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
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