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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.

We learn about healthy fertile soil on a visit to Red Thread Farm, a micro family farm in Franklin TN. There's no mechanized tillage that happens here, just a liberal use of broadforks. Keeping the soil covered is a priority, either with a thick mulch or cover crops. And there's no commercial pesticide use on the premises. All methods used are meant to enhance microbial activity in the soil, and in turn, produce nutrient-rich vegetables.

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.

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.

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.

Jeff Poppen learns the methods necessary for growing a successful crop of cherry tomatoes in a market garden greenhouse. Bloomsbury Farm in Smyrna TN uses mulched leaves as compost to improve the soil structure. They use the Florida weave trellising system for some varieties, while with others the Lower and Lean Method is used.

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.

Jeff Poppen, the barefoot farmer, enjoys growing okra because it produces so well in the heat and humidity of the South. Jeff gives advice as to the soil temperature for optimum planting, and techniques to get the seeds primed before putting in the soil.