“Sustainable Settings’ soil data is in the upper 1% of the over 140,000 tests we have run as to gains in soil health. Their nine years of soil data from scientific lab tests conducted by Regen AG Labs demonstrate upward trending data showing consistent gains each year in all of the 40-different forms of life metrics that we measure. This is rock solid data, clear strong evidence that Sustainable Settings’ combined Biodynamic and regenerative management strategies are effective. This is really awesome data, and is demonstrating what is possible in our effort to heal the land.””
Soil Organism Respiration
The NRCS* (Haney & PLFA) soil test results show dramatic increases in soil organism respiration through CO2 measurements at Sustainable Settings over 8 consecutive years. Soil respiration is an indicator of biological activity (i.e., microbial and root), or soil life. This activity is as important to the soil system as healthy lungs are to us. –nrcs.usda.gov
Haney Soil Health Calc (SHC):
The Soil Health Calc (SHC) is a summary of the soil respiration, WEOC and WEON measured by the Haney Test and represents the health of your soil. The SHC score provides a quick reference regarding soil health compared to soils under different management. Tracking this SHC across the years gives a clearer indication of gains or losses in soil biota, a picture of the myriad of relationships between soil organisms. It is essential to look beyond yields when determining the quality of our soils.
PLFA Fungi Biomass Analysis
This is a widely-used technique for estimation of the total biomass and to observe broad changes in the soil microbiota composition. Soil phospholipid fatty acid analysis(PLFA) can provide a real-time snapshot of the soil microbial community (soil microbiota) structure. The microbiota is highly sensitive to soil-altering processes (degradative or beneficial) and changes can guide appropriate management procedures (conservation or restoration).
