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A campaign was launched in December 2018 by Oregon farmers working with Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Soil Your Undies Challenge was now a thing. It's a simple way to measure the microbial activity in the soil. Julie Berbiglia visits the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville to see the results from their participation in the challenge.

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity in soils. The optimal pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.0 so the roots can take in the soil nutrients. We discuss the importance of getting a soil test for optimum growing success.

Bagged potting soil can be expensive. Tammy Algood assembles 4 readily found ingredients so you can mix up your own for a lot less money. Tammy uses her mix in a 3' x 25' raised bed. Best practices for raised bed gardening are presented.

Jeff Poppen discusses simple and frugal ways to add soil fertility to a garden space. Using compost and cover crops bring rewards at harvest time year after year.

Annette Shrader visits with a life-long gardener who shares organic methods for building soil full of nutrients and microbes. Trench composting, hugelkultur, vermiculture and permaculture are discussed.

Commercial agriculture is starting to trend toward sustainable farming practices, and Tennessee farmers are leading the way. Phillipe Chadwick sees how a farm in Manchester is optimizing soil health, and yields, each successive growing season.

Farmer Jeff Poppen shows us several examples of terracing on his organic farm. All are designed to prevent soil erosion.

Biodynamic farmer Jeff Poppen walks us through one of his large production fields in early spring that's covered in green manure crops. He shares information about the plants used, and how each one benefits the soil health.

Annette Shrader visits with a backyard vegetable gardener who is using sustainable methods that work with nature to build healthy soil and grow nutrient-rich plants.

An enthusiastic pair of young farmers focus on building the soil, knowing it will pay off year after year. There's is a no till farm. Their market garden business practice wants to be very accessible and affordable. They have chosen a more flexible business model than a traditional member-based, weekly delivery CSA.

Jeff Poppen explains the alliance between plants and soil organisms which helps lock in carbon, producing dark organic matter called humus. Organic and biodynamic farming methods draw carbon out of the atmosphere and sink it into the soil.

Tammy Algood visits the community garden near downtown Nashville known as Farm in the City. Established in 2010 by Metro Development and Housing Agency, it offers more than 50 raised beds that are open to residents of the J. Henry Hale Apartments as well as the greater community. While this spot didn't start with good soil, there is a concentrated effort to build good soil which supports a food forest and orchard.