Microbiome

This appeared in the July 2, 2020 edition of The Fish Wrap

A healthy human microbiome supports immunity, healthy digestion, the production and absorption of vitamins and mental health. These amazing millions of residents support immunity to everything from a cold to cancer. The microbiome is depleted by processed foods, antibiotics and poor nutrient density in our food supply. Without them, we experience a host of serious health problems. Many of us have a compromised microbiome, and need daily supplements and prescription medicines just to function. 

Our soil is just like us. Millions of microorganisms live in the soil and support the immunity and health of the environment. Without a healthy microbiome, plants are vulnerable to pests and diseases. Conventional farming uses various -icides (killers) to fight them, killing nearly all biological life in the environment including the beneficial bacteria in the soil. Conventionally farmed crops need multiple inputs (prescriptions) just to survive. The U.S. is losing soil 10 times faster than its replenishment rate. At this rate, there may be fewer than 100 harvests left that will provide food that supports human life. To grow food that nourishes us calls for farming methods that allow the microbiome to thrive. 

As we are becoming more aware of the correlation between our health and our gut health, we are also realizing the importance of the plant's gut health (soil).  To heal our society we must start at the root of the issue, clean air, water, and soil.

The miracle is that you don’t need supplements, prescriptions or synthetic fertilizers to restore the microbiome. Using regenerative farming practices, thriving topsoil can be restored in a few years. Eating whole, naturally sourced foods can vastly improve a human microbiome in a matter of months. Visit RLF for a free tour to learn more about what we are doing to restore the soil and thrive!