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[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1479205011625{background-image: url(https://www.symphonyofsoils.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/banner-biologisch.jpg?id=135) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]597px-egypt_governorates_blank[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”chino” spacing=”1″ gap=”1″ autoplay=”10″ active_section=”1″ no_fill=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”What is a healthy soil?” tab_id=”1479205297228-e0602856-deaf”][vc_column_text]A healthy and vital soil has a good structure with sufficient air, organic matter, minerals and a balanced rich soil life.  A healthy soil is fertile, absorbs water and can retain moisture.It stores CO2 in organic matter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why are healthy and vital soils so important?” tab_id=”1479205297252-688da573-b566″][vc_column_text]We need healthy and vital soils for the following reasons:

• grow enough food for the increasing world population;
• produce food that is better for our health; <Hyperlink to text below> The ingenious processes in a healthy living soil care not only for plants and animals thrive and develop resistance to diseases, but also that the yields are high in vitamins, minerals and vital substances (auxonen). This is important for our health.
• promote biodiversity;
• Reduce the greenhouse effect by storing CO2 .;
• Retain fresh water and prevent erosion;
• Ensure good health for mankind.
Healthy food means healthy (er) people.

Additionally vital soils aid farmers productivity

The role of the farmer is not always evident in a society where food is taken for granted and that makes the ‘license to produce’ not always easy.
The relationship between diet and health is becoming clearer. It is becoming more evident that the healthier and more vital the soil, the more vitamins, minerals and vital substances (auxonen) there are in the crops. There are opportunities for farmers and food producers.

Additionally, a farmer with a sustainable farming method can significantly save on expenses, for example: less diesel because there is no heavy equipment used, fewer pesticides and less fertilizer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What’s going on with our soils?” tab_id=”1479205545100-ed073f03-3328″][vc_column_text]Soil, plants, animals and humans are inextricably linked. We need the worms, fungi and bacteria in the soil to grow our food.

Many of our soils are in need of attention.This has major implications for our food security, our climate and our health. The current way of fertilizing and soil cultivation reduces the humus content and we are losing fertile land. All food for everyone on Earth is produced on only eleven percent of the earth’s surface. Due to soil degradation caused by  erosion, depletion and compaction, a large percentage of our soils  on Earth are impoverished. In 2050 we will need those soils too to feed the expected 9 billion population.

https://youtu.be/5E4LvEI8eSg[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Is there a solution?” tab_id=”1479205572112-25ce6bcc-5d34″][vc_column_text]Yes, there is! The answer is a living farming without fertilizers or chemicals! This allows us to prevent further soil degradation and even restore depleted soils. Scientific research has proven that agro-ecological farming has a positive effect on carbon storage in the soil, water holding capacity and soil biodiversity.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is agro-ecological agriculture?” tab_id=”1479205557339-759686fb-26e0″][vc_column_text]In the agro-ecological farming, everything starts with a healthy, living soil. This ensures healthy crops, animals and humans. The farmer makes use of natural life processes as much as possible and strives to maintain biodiversity. He does not use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Composting, fermenting, crop rotation and green ground cover are commonly used techniques.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What about the true costs of food?” tab_id=”1479475128769-0dcb8987-e954″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfRDA15NWao”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

Links

Learn more about the soil?
Check below

Infographics of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

Save our Soils
The conference , ‘Save our Soils ‘ , took place on June 27th 2015. The idea for Symphony of Soils was born at this conference.
More information can be found on the website about soil degradation, climate change, water, biodiversity, health and the Amsterdam Declaration.

Nature & More
This website contains the movie “The true cost of food. This is a short film explaining why organic products are, over time, cheaper.

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Down 2 earth
Social movement of citizens and farmers to improve soil fertility in the Netherlands through its food selection.

Voedselanders
A movement that strives for fair and sustainable food and farming systems through the sound management of soils, landscape, plants, animals and water.

People 4 Soil
Network of European organizations that demand a right to our soils.

Van akker naar bos
Foundation dedicated to more natural farming in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Future Farmers, Toekomstboeren en herenboeren
Future farmers
Toekomst boeren
Heren boeren
Associations for organic farmers.

Louis Bolk Instituut
Independent international research institute to promote sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health, with nature as a source of knowledge.

Soilecology
Joint venture between the Dutch Institute for Ecology (NIOO) and Wageningen University (WUR).

NIOO
Dutch Institute for Ecology (NIOO) carries out fundamental and strategic ecological research.

Natuurinclusieve landbouw
Groups and citizens working together on a new global ‘food-system’ under the term ‘inclusive nature farming’. Symphony of soils also participating work.

Sustainablefoodsupply

Leeuwarden, culturele Hoofdstad van Europa in 2018
Information about Leeuwarden Capital of Culture 2018

Wetsus
Link to our partner Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Water Technology in Leeuwarden

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