Project Details

The connection between healthy soils, agricultural management, and human health is an emerging frontier in science, yet systematic research in this area remains limited. The Soil to Supper: Rooted in Health initiative, led by IN-RICHES, seeks to bridge this critical gap by integrating cutting-edge soil microbiome science, food composition analysis, and human health research to better understand how soil management influences nutrition and well-being. By leveraging systematized soil health assessments, the Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) framework, and the Colorado Soil Health Program, this project will evaluate both historical and current management practices to establish a robust foundation for linking soil health to food quality.

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A key focus of this effort is engaging food supply chain stakeholders—farmers, food service directors, intermediaries, and policymakers—to explore how improved nutrition can drive soil health adoption. In regions facing challenges such as soil degradation and drought, healthier food production could serve as a powerful incentive for shifting toward sustainable practices. Additionally, this initiative seeks to identify and address barriers in supply chain logistics, such as certification requirements and production cost challenges, to support a seamless transition to regenerative agriculture.

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The project has the potential to extend into farm-to-school programs, with a specific focus on baby carrots—a widely consumed crop produced by a small number of farmers, making it an ideal model for assessing the impact of soil health on nutrition. Through collaborations with CSU’s Food and Nutrition Clinical Research Laboratory, researchers will analyze nutrient density, bioactive compounds, and gut microbiome responses, providing critical insights into the broader implications of soil management on human health.

By bringing together soil scientists, nutrition experts, farmers, and policymakers, Soil to Supper will help translate research into actionable knowledge, guiding policies and practices that benefit both human and planetary health. This initiative has the potential to revolutionize how we view the connection between soil health, food quality, and long-term well-being—paving the way for a more resilient, nutritious, and sustainable food system.