Resources
IN-RICHES is committed to connecting researchers, policymakers, and producers with resources that advance soil health in the Rocky Mountain West and beyond.
*NEW: DIY Soil Health Assessment Toolbox*
Linking the worlds of science and stewardship, the D.I.Y. Toolbox for Evaluating Soil Health presents a practical, customized approach for evaluating soil health at home. Through step-by-step methods of observation, evaluation, and interpretation users will learn about the most important features of soil health and how land management practices can enhance them. This style of soil assessment uses only the senses and household items and does not require special equipment or lab analysis. It serves as a toolbox of ideas and inexpensive methods that will lead to actionable insights.
Rocky Mountain Soil Health Roadmap
This Roadmap is the conference report of the Rocky Mountain Soil Health Roundtable. It is the result of stakeholder engagement conducted at the in-person event in Denver on September 19th-20th, 2023, and virtually over the last year. This document summarizes the results of that process, identifies barriers and opportunities, and suggests next steps for implementation.
Template: Estimating Soil Moisture Monitoring Mesonet Costs
Establishing and sustaining soil moisture monitoring networks requires thoughtful planning for both initial setup and long-term operations. To support entities interested in developing or maintaining networks, we have developed a Template for Estimating Mesonet Costs, covering both start-up and operation and maintenance (O&M) phases. We hope this resource helps organizations, agencies, and research teams plan and budget for network costs—including equipment, installation, maintenance, and data management. It is designed to be useful both for new networks getting started and for existing networks seeking to estimate or refine ongoing O&M expenses.
​
Please cite: O’Banion, I., & Integrated Rocky Mountain Region Innovation Center for Healthy Soils at Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station. (2025).
"Exploring Soils" Curriculum
Announcing the IN-RICHES “Exploring Soils" Curriculum. Whether you are new to the topic of soil health or already familiar with it, these materials provide a starting point from which to think critically and holistically about the soils as the foundation for sustainable and resilient agriculture. We’d love to hear how these materials contribute to your soil health journey!
"Living Soils" AI Poster
Introducing our latest innovation: an AI-generated poster dedicated to soil health. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, this poster serves as an informative visual aid, highlighting the multifaceted aspects of soil health and its significance in sustaining life on our planet.
Rocky Mountain Region
In-Field Soil Health Assessment Guide
The purpose of the Rocky Mountain Region Soil Health In-Field Assessment Guide is to provide a standardized and comprehensive manual for conducting soil health assessments in the region. The manual aims to serve as a valuable resource for various stakeholders, extension agents, agronomists, and producers, who are actively engaged in improving soil health and sustainable land management practices.
Colorado Collaborative for Healthy Soils - Annual Report
The Colorado Collaborative for Healthy Soils (CCHS) brought the agricultural community together around soil health. Between 2019 and 2020, the Collaborative gathered diverse stakeholders to provide input on the proposed CDA Soil Health Program. The collaborative operated with a commitment to producer-centered, science-based, action-oriented, voluntary, incentive-based initiatives. The Collaborative's annual report from 2019-2020 summarizes findings from listening sessions with over 200 farmers and ranchers and outlines the creation pathway of the Colorado Soil Health Program.