Explore Soil Regeneration on Your Brown County Visit

by Doug Ayers April 21, 2025

Have you ever walked through the forests or admired the rolling hills of Brown County and wondered what makes it all so vibrant? A big part of that beauty starts right under your feet. It's all about the soil, and more specifically, about bringing life back to it through Soil Regeneration.

Most of us just see dirt, a place to plant flowers or grow vegetables. But there's a whole hidden world down there, teeming with life. Thinking about Soil Regeneration means thinking about rebuilding that underground community for healthier plants, cleaner water, and a more resilient environment, which is a core principle of regenerative agriculture.

Why Healthy Soil Matters More Than You Think

Healthy soil isn't just dirt; it's a living ecosystem, a complex community supporting almost all life on land. When this system functions well, it performs amazing tasks for the environment. This living foundation is crucial for robust ecosystems.

It filters water effectively, provides essential nutrient sources for plants without heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers, and even helps store carbon, fighting climate change. Degraded soil, however, struggles with these functions. This deficiency contributes to significant problems like soil erosion, increased water runoff carrying pollutants, and less nutritious food, impacting human health.

Focusing on soil health means prioritizing the return of natural processes that allow ecosystems to thrive and combat soil degradation. It involves understanding the intricate life within the soil and fostering conditions for it to flourish. This hidden world directly influences the health and beauty of the landscapes we enjoy and is fundamental to effective regenerative agriculture practices.

Without healthy soils, agricultural systems become less productive, requiring more interventions that can further harm the environment. Improving soil health leads to improved soil structure, better water infiltration, and resilience against drought and floods. Regenerative soil supports not just plant growth, but a healthier planet.

Understanding the Soil Food Web

So what constitutes this hidden world? Scientists refer to it as the Soil Food Web. Imagine a food chain, but operating underground primarily at a microscopic level.

It's a complex network of organisms inhabiting the soil, all interacting with each other and the plants they support. Dr. Elaine Ingham pioneered much of the modern understanding of this detailed system. This web includes everything from microscopic bacteria and fungi to larger creatures like earthworms and arthropods, each playing a specific role in maintaining soil health.

When discussing efforts to regenerate soil, we are fundamentally talking about rebuilding this Soil Food Web. The aim is to ensure all necessary functional groups are present and interacting effectively. This facilitates natural nutrient cycling and creates the strong soil structure essential for healthy plant growth and water management.

Bacteria: The Tiny Powerhouses

Bacteria often represent the most numerous soil microbes. These single-celled organisms perform monumental tasks within the soil ecosystem. They excel at breaking down simpler forms of organic matter.

Bacteria release enzymes that unlock nutrients tied up in organic material and even from minuscule rock particles like sand and silt. They are also vital for initiating the development of good soil structure. They secrete sticky substances that bind tiny soil particles, forming microaggregates.

These microaggregates form the basic building blocks of well-structured soil. They help create the essential pore spaces that hold air and water needed by plant roots and other soil life. While bacteria are usually abundant, achieving the right balance and diversity in relation to other organisms like fungi is important for overall soil health.

Fungi: Nature's Networkers

Fungi constitute another indispensable group of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Unlike bacteria, which often focus on simpler compounds, fungi tackle more complex organic material, such as woody debris or tough plant fibers like lignin. They grow as thread-like structures called hyphae, which form extensive networks throughout the soil.

These hyphal networks function like a microscopic transport system, moving nutrients and water across distances. Fungi play a significant role in building larger soil clumps, known as macroaggregates. They achieve this by physically weaving soil particles together with their hyphae, improving soil structure dramatically.

Robust fungal networks greatly improve water infiltration and aeration within the soil profile. Specific types, known as mycorrhizal fungi, establish beneficial symbiotic relationships directly with plant roots. This partnership significantly helps plants access water and essential nutrient resources far beyond the normal reach of the roots alone, enhancing plant growth; more information on these fungi is available from university extension offices.

Protozoa: The Nutrient Recyclers

Moving up the food web, we encounter the predators, starting with protozoa. These are single-celled organisms, primarily amoebae, flagellates, and ciliates, that consume bacteria. This predatory relationship is highly beneficial for plants.

Bacteria assimilate and hold substantial amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen, within their cells. However, these nutrients are not typically in a form that plants can readily absorb. When protozoa consume bacteria, they digest them and excrete the excess nutrients as waste products.

This waste is essentially readily available plant food, released directly in the root zone where plants need it most. This process, sometimes informally called the 'poop loop,' is a critical component of natural nutrient cycling. It significantly reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers because the soil's own inhabitants perform the fertilization service, promoting soil health.

Nematodes: Not Always the Bad Guys

Nematodes frequently receive negative attention because certain species feed on plant roots, causing damage to crops. However, a vast majority of nematode species are beneficial and integral members of the Soil Food Web. Like protozoa, many nematodes are important predators contributing to nutrient cycling.

There are bacterial-feeding nematodes, fungal-feeding nematodes, and even predatory nematodes that consume other nematodes, including the detrimental root-feeding types. They function similarly to protozoa by consuming bacteria or fungi and releasing plant-available nutrients through their waste. The types and populations of nematodes present can serve as valuable indicators of the soil's biological activity and overall health.

Maintaining a diverse community of beneficial nematodes helps regulate populations of potential pests naturally. It underscores the importance of balance within the soil ecosystem. The focus in regenerative practices isn't necessarily on identifying every species, but rather on understanding and supporting the functional roles each group performs within the system to improve soil quality.

Step 1: Finding and Gathering Nature's Recyclers

If the goal is to build a healthy Soil Food Web, acquiring the necessary organisms is the first step. Where can these essential microbes be found? Fortunately, they are ubiquitous in the environment.

Beneficial microorganisms reside on healthy plant surfaces (leaves, stems, roots), within nearby healthy soils, in decomposing leaf litter, high-quality compost, and even travel as spores through the air. The strategy involves gathering a wide variety of source materials to capture this natural diversity. Imagine the rich, dark earth found in an undisturbed forest – that soil is teeming with the life needed to regenerate soil elsewhere.

When creating compost using Soil Food Web principles, collecting diverse ingredients is paramount. This process isn't merely about providing food sources for the compost pile; it's about inoculating the pile with a rich starter culture encompassing bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and beneficial nematodes. Sourcing materials locally is often advantageous, as these organisms are already adapted to the specific regional climate and conditions, making them well-suited for the local garden bed or farm.

Diverse Materials for a Diverse Microbiome

Just as humans require a varied diet, soil microbes have different nutritional needs and preferences. To foster a broad spectrum of beneficial organisms, a mix of starting materials is essential for your compost. These materials are typically categorized based on their relative carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio.

High-nitrogen materials, often called 'greens,' include items like fresh grass clippings, manure (from herbivores preferably), kitchen scraps (vegetable and fruit waste), and green manures like freshly cut legumes. These materials provide readily available nitrogen, fueling bacterial populations. This bacterial activity helps kickstart the composting process and generate the necessary heat.

Woody materials, or 'browns,' are high in carbon and include materials such as wood chips, sawdust, dried leaves, straw, and cardboard. These are preferred food sources for fungi and provide essential structure within the compost pile. This structure ensures that air can circulate, maintaining aerobic conditions crucial for beneficial soil microbial activity.

Here's a simple table summarizing material types:

Material Type	Primary Nutrient	Examples	Primary Microbial Food Source
Greens	Nitrogen	Grass clippings, food scraps, manure, green manures	Bacteria
Browns	Carbon	Wood chips, dried leaves, straw, cardboard, sawdust	Fungi
Green Materials (Mid-range)	Balanced C:N	Fresh leaves, crop residues, spoiled hay	Bacteria & Fungi

Incorporating diverse inputs like residues from cover crops helps promote plant diversity within the microbial community of the finished compost. Adding organic matter in various forms feeds different microbial groups. This variety is crucial for creating a resilient and functional soil ecosystem when the compost is applied.

What to Watch Out For

While microbes are indeed everywhere, careful consideration must be given to the source of your starting materials. It's important to be aware of potential contaminants that could hinder the composting process or harm beneficial organisms. Avoid using materials from areas known to be treated with persistent pesticides or herbicides, as these chemicals can negatively impact sensitive soil microbes.

Exercise caution when using manure from animals recently treated with antibiotics or dewormers, as residues can suppress microbial activity. Some natural materials, like pine needles or wood chips from certain trees (e.g., black walnut), might contain compounds that can temporarily inhibit microbial growth. Understanding the origin and nature of your source materials helps ensure you are cultivating helpful microbes, not introducing substances that impede efforts to improve soil.

Gathering a wide array of inputs helps build resilience against potential issues and ensures a broader range of beneficial microorganisms. A diverse microbial population means that even if environmental conditions shift (like temperature or moisture fluctuations), some organisms will likely persist and continue functioning. For general composting guidelines, resources from governmental agencies like the EPA provide basic information on composting ingredients.

Step 2: Multiplying the Good Guys - Making Biocomplete Compost

Having gathered diverse starting materials, the subsequent step involves creating an optimal environment for beneficial microbes to proliferate. This is the core of the Soil Food Web approach to composting. The objective extends beyond merely breaking down organic waste; it's about actively cultivating a complete, diverse, and thriving soil microbial community.

The resulting product is termed 'Biocomplete Compost'. This designation signifies that the compost contains all the essential groups of beneficial soil organisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and beneficial nematodes) in significant numbers and in an active, ready-to-work state. Additionally, it must be predominantly aerobic, meaning it was produced with consistent and sufficient oxygen throughout the process.

Producing this type of high-quality compost requires careful management of several key parameters. These include the initial ingredient recipe (C:N ratio), temperature fluctuations, moisture content, and oxygen levels during the active composting phase. It is akin to managing a microscopic livestock farm, providing the conditions needed for the desired organisms to flourish and ultimately regenerate soil effectively.

Getting the Recipe Right

A standard recipe for Biocomplete Compost targets a balanced nutrient profile to support the growth of a diverse microbial community. While the precise percentages can be adjusted based on local climate, available materials, and specific goals, a common starting point involves volumetric ratios: roughly 10-20% high-nitrogen materials, 20-30% green materials, and approximately 50-60% woody brown materials.

The high-nitrogen components ('greens') ignite the bacterial populations, driving the initial heating phase. The green materials offer sustained food sources for various microbes. The high-carbon 'browns' provide the necessary carbon substrate, particularly for fungi, and contribute crucial structural elements that facilitate airflow through the pile, which is vital for building soil organic matter efficiently.

Achieving the correct initial mix is fundamental to ensuring the composting process progresses efficiently. It helps produce a final product rich in the beneficial organisms needed for Soil Regeneration. The aim is to establish a balanced and functional ecosystem within the compost pile from the very beginning, setting the stage for improved soil conditions later.

Managing the Compost Pile: Temperature

Temperature management is a critical aspect of producing Biocomplete Compost. The compost pile needs to reach temperatures high enough to effectively eliminate potential human and plant pathogens, as well as weed seeds. However, it should not become excessively hot, as extreme temperatures can harm the beneficial thermophilic (heat-loving) microbes we aim to cultivate.

The target temperature range generally lies between 55°C (131°F) and 75°C (167°F). This heat is generated naturally by the intense metabolic activity of microorganisms as they decompose the organic material. Daily monitoring of the internal pile temperature using a long-stem compost thermometer is essential for proper management.

If the pile fails to reach adequate temperatures, undesirable organisms might survive, compromising the quality of the compost. Conversely, if temperatures exceed the upper limit for extended periods, the pile can become anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) or even sterilize itself, killing off beneficial fungi and other helpful organisms. Effective temperature control relies heavily on turning the pile at appropriate intervals based on these readings.

Managing the Compost Pile: Moisture

Like all living things, soil microbes require adequate water to thrive and function. The optimal moisture content for active aerobic composting is typically around 50%. If the pile becomes too dry, microbial activity significantly slows down or ceases altogether.

If the pile becomes too wet, water displaces air in the pore spaces, creating anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic environments favor different types of microbes, some of which produce foul odors (like ammonia or hydrogen sulfide) or substances potentially harmful to plant roots. A practical method for assessing moisture is the squeeze test.

Take a handful of compost from the interior of the pile and squeeze it firmly. Ideally, only one or two drops of water should emerge. If it is considerably wetter (water streams out) or drier (crumbles easily and feels dry), adjustments are necessary, usually achieved by adding water during turning or incorporating drier brown materials if too wet, impacting how well it can retain moisture later.

Managing the Compost Pile: Oxygen

Maintaining sufficient oxygen is absolutely vital for creating high-quality aerobic compost. The beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes that drive healthy soil processes thrive in oxygen-rich environments. Plant roots also require oxygen for respiration, so soil inoculated with aerobic compost provides a better growth environment.

Anaerobic conditions (low oxygen levels) favor different microbial communities. Some anaerobic microbes can produce compounds like alcohols or organic acids that are toxic to plants or indicate poor soil quality. The goal is to maintain oxygen levels consistently above 6 parts per million (ppm) throughout the compost pile's core; proper irrigation practices when adding water help avoid saturation.

The structure provided by the woody 'brown' materials is key to maintaining air pockets within the pile. Regular turning serves as the primary method for replenishing oxygen throughout the composting mass. While specialized oxygen meters exist, practical monitoring can involve microscopic examination (observing for indicators of low oxygen, such as large numbers of certain ciliates) or simply using smell – aerobic compost has a pleasant, earthy aroma, whereas anaerobic conditions often lead to sour, putrid, or ammonia-like odors.

The Art of Turning

Turning the compost pile serves multiple essential functions: it thoroughly mixes the ingredients, redistributes moisture more evenly, and, critically, reintroduces oxygen into the pile's core. Turning also ensures that all portions of the composting material are exposed to the optimal temperature range in the center, effectively killing pathogens and weed seeds. The timing of turns is typically dictated by the temperature readings.

A general guideline is: if the pile reaches 55-65°C (131-149°F), wait approximately 3 days before turning. If it reaches 65-70°C (149-158°F), turn after about 2 days. If the temperature climbs above 71°C (160°F), turn within 24 hours to prevent overheating, which can lead to anaerobic pockets and harm beneficial microbial populations crucial for building soil.

The turning technique aims to move the cooler, outer material towards the hot center and bring the central material outwards. A common method involves removing the top layer, relocating the hot core material to form the new bottom layer, placing the original top material into the new middle section, and finally covering it with the original bottom layer (which becomes the new top). This entire process is typically repeated at least two more times according to temperature cues to ensure thorough processing and help build soil organic matter consistently.

Tools for Small-Scale Success

You do not need complex or expensive equipment to begin making high-quality Biocomplete Compost, especially on a smaller scale for a home garden bed or small farm. A few basic, readily available tools can facilitate the process effectively. Having a functional setup makes managing the pile much easier and can save money compared to buying commercial inputs.

Essential items include: wooden pallets (optional, but useful for lifting the pile off the ground to improve airflow underneath), sturdy wire mesh or hardware cloth for constructing a simple bin (helps contain the pile and maintain shape), a reliable water source (preferably non-chlorinated, like rainwater or well water), buckets for measuring ingredients accurately, a pitchfork or sturdy garden fork for turning, a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle for adding water gently, and a long-stem compost thermometer. A breathable compost fleece or tarp can be useful for covering the pile during periods of heavy rain or to help manage moisture levels, supporting soil regeneration efforts right in your backyard.

The Big Impact of Soil Regeneration

Actively bringing life back to the soil through regenerative practices yields far-reaching positive effects. The benefits extend well beyond simply enabling healthier plant growth, although that is a significant outcome leading to potentially higher crop yields. Healthy, living soil fundamentally creates more resilient landscapes and agricultural systems.

Improved soil structure enhances water infiltration, drastically reducing surface runoff and subsequent soil erosion. This protects water quality by minimizing the transport of sediment and nutrients into nearby streams and lakes, which is particularly important for preventing issues like algal blooms in sensitive ecosystems like those around Brown County. Soils rich in soil organic matter and teeming with microbial life can retain moisture more effectively, making landscapes less susceptible to drought conditions and reducing the need for extensive irrigation practices.

Furthermore, healthy soil plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration. Plants draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, and through the actions of the Soil Food Web, a portion of this carbon is stabilized within the soil organic matter, as highlighted by agencies like the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Regenerative farming methods that focus on building soil organic matter contribute directly to this vital environmental service and can even allow farmers to save money by reducing fertilizer needs.

Ultimately, Soil Regeneration aligns with nature's inherent processes. It fosters self-sustaining systems that lessen the dependence on external inputs and constant interventions, promoting ecological balance. This approach nurtures biodiversity both below the ground (microbes, insects, earthworms) and above ground (diverse plant cover, wildlife), contributing positively to human health through more nutritious food and a cleaner environment.

Conclusion

Focusing on the living component of the soil is the essence of Soil Regeneration. This approach moves beyond managing soil merely through chemical adjustments and fully recognizes the immense power of soil biology. By understanding the dynamics of the Soil Food Web, we can implement practical, effective steps to restore and enhance it.

The process typically starts with identifying and gathering the diverse array of microorganisms that nature already provides, often found abundantly in undisturbed ecosystems or well-managed organic systems. Next, we establish the optimal conditions, frequently through careful, aerobic composting techniques, to multiply these beneficial populations into the billions. The crucial final step involves applying this living Biocomplete Compost, or liquid extracts and teas derived from it, back to the land, effectively inoculating the degraded soil with the vibrant life it needs to recover and thrive.

Embarking on these regenerative practices might seem substantial, but the core principles are deeply rooted in observing and mimicking successful natural systems. Supporting Soil Regeneration initiatives helps build healthier local environments, leads to more productive and resilient gardens or farms where plants grow strong, and contributes significantly to the ecological and aesthetic well-being of cherished places. It represents a profoundly positive shift in land management, starting quite literally from the ground up, protecting soil for future generations.