Farming With Soil Life: A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms

This handbook, created by The Xerces Society, dives into soil biology. It provides a connection between healthy soils and healthy invertebrates found in temperate agricultural soils. Farming with Soil Life starts with a review of soil basics, including the functions, classifications and properties (physical, biological and chemical) of soil. It provides detailed methods on how to observe soil life through pitfall traps, funnel surveys and slake tests, and also includes information on soil testing. The publication also addresses how common production practices can support or deter soil life, and includes a listing of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practices farmers can use to support soil organisms.