Review enacted legislation, model language, and policy frameworks from across the country. Please send any additions, corrections or additions to the Network Coordinator at [email protected]
Many states build from a small number of widely replicated definitions. These are good starting points for drafting legislation. It is critically important to define soil health/healthy soils. Definitions will help maintain the integrity of resulting programs, help educate policy makers and advance the conversation. During the drafting process it is important to ask questions about how things are going with soil health efforts in the state and what advocates and practitioners see as the obstacles, gaps and opportunities.
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Healthy Soils - ****CA (2016), HI (2017), MA (2019), ME (2021)
Soils that enhance their continuing capacity to function as a biological system, increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity, and result in net long-term greenhouse gas benefits.
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Healthy Soils Practices - CO (2021)
“Soil health practices” means those practices that may contribute to soil health or apply one of the following principles that promote soil health: (a) maximizing soil cover; (b) reducing soil disturbance; (c) maximizing biodiversity; (d) maintaining a continual live plant or root in the soil; or (e) integrating best grazing livestock practices.
Note: If advocates determine it’s prudent to include language defining “healthy soils practices,” it’s best to limit the definition to principles.
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More Definitions
Follow this link for a more extensive exploration of language variations and related strategic considerations: Model Language & Key Definitions
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Click on a piece of legislation to view additional details that we have on file, including full bill language. Use the drop-down/slider tab at the top of the menu below to select different categories.
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While there is no single authoritative model healthy soils bill, a number of organizations have developed model legislative language, policy design frameworks, and comparative analyses that can help advocates craft legislation suited to their state's legal, political, and administrative context. The resources below provide complementary approaches - from model statutory language to implementation guidance and analyses of enacted state policies.
🌱 Connect with the National Healthy Soils Policy Network Healthy soils policy is stronger when we work together.
The National Healthy Soils Policy Network connects farmer-centered organizations and advocates across the country to share strategies, exchange resources, and advance policies that support healthy soils and climate-resilient agriculture.
****This Knowledge Base is just one of the ways we support that work. Network members also benefit from peer learning, collaborative problem-solving, shared advocacy tools, and connections with fellow organizers working on similar challenges across the country.
Working on healthy soils policy in your state? We'd love to connect!
👉 Learn About the Network & Get Involved
The National Healthy Soils Policy Network is a project of the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN).