To mark World Soils Day on Friday, 5 December, Southern New England Landcare is highlighting one of the most engaging books on soil published in recent years: Soil – The Incredible Story of What Keeps the Earth, and Us, Healthy by Matthew Evans (2021).
Evans, widely known for his transition from food critic to farmer and restaurateur, brings the often-overlooked topic of soil to life in a passionate and accessible way, encouraging readers to appreciate the ground beneath their feet.
“My sister has followed Matthew Evans for years and was excited to visit his on-farm restaurant for her birthday,” said Janeen Robb, Project Officer with Southern New England Landcare.
“She gave my dad a copy of Soil, which he loved, constantly disturbing mum’s reading to share amazing facts with her!” she said.
“My parents gave me a copy, and I find myself imagining how much easier studying would be if other non-fiction were written with such passion and curious details,” said Janeen.
The book has also captured national attention. Chris Gordon, Programming and Events Manager at Readings, reviewed the book.
“Until now, I can honestly say that soil has not been a passion of mine, but now I am all about considering dirt in a brand-new light… we all need to jump on the dirt train… planting, toiling and considering where our food comes from.”
How to celebrate World Soils Day in the New England
Healthy soils are essential not only for food production and biodiversity but also for human well-being. There are many practical ways that people in the New England region can support soil health, whether in backyards, bush blocks, or on farms.
Here are a few simple ideas:
- Build a compost heap or use compost to nourish your garden.
- Start a worm farm—worm castings are powerful natural fertilisers.
- Plant something new—a variety of root systems helps improve soil structure.
- Join a local community garden and connect with others who care for the land.
- Spend time in bushland with healthy soil—green spaces are good for body and mind.
For farmers, approaches such as multi-species pasture cropping, reducing chemical fertilisers, and using natural soil enhancers like worm juice or seaweed extract can greatly improve soil biology and long-term productivity.
A local success story from the Armidale area demonstrates the power of soil microbiology in transforming farm practices. Read more at: The Land article
In urban and town settings, residents can support soil health by:
- Replacing monoculture lawns with native groundcovers.
- Reducing mowing to protect soil biodiversity while keeping edges neat for safety and appearance.
- Leaving leaf litter and organic matter on garden beds to support soil organisms.
Healthy soil supports not just the environment and economy—it also contributes to better physical and mental health. As Matthew Evans reminds us:
“Soil nourishes us in more than just the obvious ways.”
This World Soils Day, Southern New England Landcare encourages everyone to get their hands dirty, learn something new about soil, and celebrate the living world beneath our feet—not just today, but every day.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au