By Elizabeth Henderson
At a moment in US history when there is so much uncertainty, division, anger, soil health enthusiasts came together in a joyous and educational celebration that could serve as a model public-private partnership with local gardeners, city, county, and federal agencies, and not-for-profits cooperating in mutual support and respect, in service of one of the most basic necessities for human resilience.
Lori Koenick, CCE Cornell Vegetable Agent, lead organizer of this event, and Frank Keophetlasy, farm manager, welcomed the 65 participants to the September 16, 2025 field day at the new Edible Education Center at the FoodLink Community Farm on Lexington Avenue in Rochester. Starting with the basics, Michael Glos, New York Soil Health program, and Nicole Kubiczki, Natural Resources Conservation Service, introduced the meaning and significance of healthy soil: healthy soils are living ecosystems teeming with microorganisms, worms, nematodes and countless other companions who feed crops as they feed and eat one another as they cycle nutrients and moisture. Kubiczki recited the NRCS soil health basics:
- Keep the soil covered in green plants for as many months as possible – Maximize photosynthesis –
- Keep the fungi happy! Fungi go deep with their hyphae for all the best plant food. Tillage disrupts their delicate network of hyphae.
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