Category: News Releases

This week, April 19 to 25 is National Soil Conservation Week, an opportunity for us to recognize the importance of Canadian soil and think about actions we can take to protect it. Soil is the foundation of all the food we eat and, quite frankly, we could not survive without it.

Unfortunately, Canadian soil has been severely degraded in recent decades. Currently, only about 7% of Canada’s land is suitable for agriculture. According to the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, the country lost 3.9 million hectares of farm land between 1972 and 2011. This loss comes with an economic cost of $3.1 billion annually – not a small figure.

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Each year, Canadians from coast to coast celebrate National Soil Conservation Week (April 19-25, 2020) by paying special attention to the vital role soil plays in providing abundant food for consumers and as the foundation of our diverse ecosystems. This year, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) is releasing its first ever national soil health report card to grade how soil health compares from one part of Canada to the other.

“National Soil Conservation Week is when we really like to take a step back and consider how crucial soil is to our everyday health as Canadians,” says Tim Nerbas, SCCC chair and farmer from Waseca, Sask. “We need healthy soil for almost all the food we eat. We need healthy soil for our environment as a whole. Canada is abundant with life and it’s our duty as stewards of the land, water, and air to protect the places we call home”.

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In 1984, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry published “Soil at Risk — Canada’s Eroding Future.” Led by Senator Herbert Sparrow (who later formed the Soil Conservation Council of Canada), it’s still heralded as one of the Senate’s best and most widely distributed reports.

The report sparked a renewed focus on soil conservation, but that was 36 years ago, and a lot has changed. Climate change, evolving production practices, new crops and a growing global population place increasing pressure on soil health. We still look to soil to produce most of our food, to clean our air and water, to help in the fight against climate change and to support biodiversity. If we want soil to continue providing these services, we need to take better care of it.

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Canadians are a lucky lot, but if a poll were conducted to ask reasons why, “soil health” might not be in many of the answers. It should be.

Soil is truly the gift that keeps on giving. According to the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, agri-food exports account for about $56 billion annually, an 11 per cent contribution to our GDP. Soil helps clean our water and air and is a weapon against climate change. Biodiversity and wildlife depend on healthy soil. Farmers and their families know that healthy soils are the foundation of their productivity and profitability. The list could go on, but soil is clearly a precious gift to all Canadians.

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How do Canada’s soil practices measure up across the country? Are we improving soil health or not? Mario Tenuta, professor of applied soil ecology at the University of Manitoba, believes Canadian farmers are taking positive steps toward increased soil health from coast to coast, but we need to continue this trend for overall improvement in many areas.

Tenuta presented his soil health report card to attendees at the Summit on Canadian Soil Health in Manitoba this fall. Dividing soil health indicators into six categories, he presented grades on each for both western and eastern Canadian farmers.

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April 15, 2019 – Yes, you read that right. The Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) is at it again with its annual Soil Your Undies challenge to kick off National Soil Conservation Week April 21-27, but this year, we’re taking it up a notch and we need your help. 

“National Soil Conservation Week is the best way to create awareness around soil health and conservation in Canada,” says SCCC chair and Saskatchewan farmer, Tim Nerbas. “It may not cross your mind often, but soil is a big deal. Soil is where we make our living. It sustains our communities. It grows our food. It even cleans our air and water and supports biodiversity.”

Soil definitely packs a punch, and this year during National Soil Conservation Week, the SCCC wants you to jump into the ring for soil conservation. Here is the one-two-three punch you can use on behalf of Canada’s soils:

1. Tell someone why soil is important to you.This is an easy one. Support our soil by sharing with your family, friends, neighbours, social networks, and heck, anyone who will listen, why you rely on healthy soil every day – not just during the third week of April. 
2. Soil Your Undies.This is the third, and what we hope will be the best, national Soil Your Undies challenge yet. Get yourself a pair of white, 100 per cent cotton undies and something to mark the spot and get digging. After a few months, unearth them and share your soil experiment experience with us online using #SoilYourUndies. More details are available on soilcc.ca. 
3. Join us as we strive to reach 1,000 new members. If you are not a SCCC member already,become one at soilcc.ca. The good news for you is the first 50 new members receive a Soil Your Undies starter kit. What better way to be introduced to the organization than by burying a pair of undergarments in the very soil we advocate for. 

It’s that simple. National Soil Conservation Week is a great opportunity to show people why they should care about soil, but it doesn’t need to stop there. 

“The SCCC cares about soil and is active year-round, but our strength only comes from our membership,” says Nerbas. “Together, we can improve soil health, we can bring the benefits of soil to all Canadians and we can strengthen our role as a world leader in soil conservation.”

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About SCCC

The SCCC is the only national organization to concentrate on the issues of soil health and soil conservation within a broadly-based landscape context. It works to build a greater understanding of the importance of soil as an essential resource to society by facilitating the exchange of information with all stakeholders. Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable food production, enhanced biodiversity and cleaner air and water for present and future generations. For more information, please visit, www.soilcc.ca. 

Contact 

Jim Tokarchuk, Executive Director, 204-792-2424 or jimtokarchuk@soilcc.ca

March 28, 2019 – The Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) announces that Derek and Tannis Axten are the 2018 L.B. Thomson Conservation Award winners. The Axtens were presented this honour at the annual meeting of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association held in Regina, Sask. last month.

“The L.B. Thomson Conservation Award is presented annually to recognize individuals, organizations, and others who have made outstanding contributions to improving soil health and water conservation at the regional level in Canada,” says Tim Nerbas, chair of the SCCC. “The Axtens are highly deserving of this award based on their actions and commitments to sustaining the health of their soil and sharing their experience and knowledge with others.”

Derek and Tannis operate a no-till farm in the Minton area and have improved their soil health by seeding intercrops, companion crops and cover crops. Improving soil health has allowed them to reduce synthetic inputs, increase water retention and build organic matter. In 2017, they were recognized as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

The Axten’s motto has become: soil is our most valuable resource, so how can we improve its health? The Axtens are loyal to the soil in every decision made on their farm and they promote the link between healthy soil and healthy food.

“Our farm strives to care for the soil and the biology that it contains,” says Derek. “The bacteria, protozoa, fungi, nematodes, earthworms, etc. create our soil structure and supply our plants with the nutrients that they require. We want to take care of our soil biology so that they take care of our plants. We believe that healthy soil creates healthy plants, which makes healthy food.”

Their ongoing commitment to soil health, their community and the environment make them exemplary recipients of the L.B. Thomson award.

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About the L.B. Thomson Award

The L.B. Thomson Conservation Award was established in 1987 by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Alumni in honour of Leonard Baden Thomson, Director General of PFRA from 1948 to 1956. Under his leadership, PFRA developed and promoted soil conservation practices that minimized the severe wind erosion that plagued the Prairies in the 1930s. Since 1987, this award has been bestowed on 24 individuals and conservation organizations who continue to make significant contributions to soil conservation in Canada.

In 2016, responsibility for this award was entrusted to the SCCC and the Council is proud to continue this tradition.

About SCCC

The SCCC is the only national organization to concentrate on the issues of soil health and soil conservation within a broadly-based landscape context. It works to build a greater understanding of the importance of soil as an essential resource to society by facilitating the exchange of information with all stakeholders. Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable food production, enhanced biodiversity and cleaner air and water for present and future generations. For more information, please visit, www.soilcc.ca.

Contact

Jim Tokarchuk, Executive Director, 204-792-2424 or jimtokarchuk@soilcc.ca

March 22, 2018 – Canada, you really got down and dirty in the name of soil conservation last year. Who knew soiling your undies could be so much fun? Now it’s time to do it all over again. April 15 kicks off National Soil Conservation Week and the second annual Soil Your Undies campaign. For those of you who didn’t take part last year, here’s an undies update: the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) wants you to bury a pair of cotton undergarments to check the health of the soil under your care.

“We were blown away by the response to the national launch of Soil Your Undies last year,” says SCCC chair and Ontario farmer, Alan Kruszel. “We take the task of advocating for Canada’s soils seriously, but it was a lot of fun to show Canadians just how alive healthy soils are through this entertaining citizen science experiment, and we are eager to do it again.”
Last year, many farmers, schools, media, and organizations from various industries planted a pair of underwear in agricultural fields, flower beds, lawns and even at research facilities across the country to test for soil health. National Soil Conservation Week, which has been held during the third week of April for the past 30 years, extended far beyond its seven days last spring as folks buried undies well into the fall.

The Soil Your Undies test shows just how biologically active your soil is. After a couple months buried, there shouldn’t be much left of your knickers if there is abundant life in your soil. To get started, all you need is a pair of new, 100 per cent cotton white briefs, a shovel, and a flag to mark the site. A helpful step-by-step guide on how to properly Soil Your Undies is available at www.soilcc.ca.

“Once again, Stanfield’s is partnering with us on the Soil Your Undies initiative,” says Kruszel. “We soiled many pairs of tighty whities from coast-to-coast last year and we are excited to bring the Canadian clothing company on board in 2018 as the official underwear sponsor yet again.”
National Soil Conservation Week is an annual event that gives groups like the SCCC, and others who promote soil conservation and health, a platform to remind the public of the importance of soil and the issues around its degradation and loss. To underscore its significance in food production and the role it plays in clean air and water, SCCC encourages all Canadians to take part in the fun, easy, do-it-yourself soil science experiment. Don’t forget to take a video or snap a photo and share your experience with us on social media using the hashtag #SoilYourUndies. Show us your soiled underwear!

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The SCCC is the only national organization to concentrate on the issues of soil health and soil conservation within a broadly-based landscape context. It works to build a greater understanding of the importance of soil as an essential resource to society by facilitating the exchange of information with all stakeholders. Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable food production, enhanced biodiversity and cleaner air and water for present and future generations.
To learn more about other SCCC initiatives, please visit www.soilcc.ca.

CONTACT: Jim Tokarchuk, Executive Director, 204-792-2424 or jimtokarchuk@soilcc.ca

Being a Kindergartener is exciting. Every day brings something new to learn and discover. Playing in the dirt doesn’t seem like an extraordinary childhood activity, but when the opportunity to bury a pair of undies in your school garden arises, it elevates that youthful enthusiasm and exploration of the inner workings of the world all around us – or in this case, under our feet – to new heights.

Participating in the Soil Conservation Council of Canada’s (SCCC) light-hearted Soil Your Undies campaign gave the Kindergarten class at Arklan Community Public School in Lanark County, Ontario an appreciation for everything that dark material beneath us does. During the third week of April, which is National Soil Conservation Week, Canadians coast-to-coast were encouraged to bury a pair of white, cotton briefs to see how healthy their soil is. Eager to participate, it sounds like the Kindergarten class at Arklan School had a lot of fun with it, too, according to their teachers, Tammy Reid and Karen Coleman.

“Participating in the Soil Your Undies campaign was definitely a highlight this year. The students loved making predictions as to what would happen when we dug up the underwear. Some of the students predicted that they’d grow ‘underwear flowers.’ Some students thought the underwear would still be white, while some students thought they’d be really, really dirty. Other students correctly predicted that there would be holes in the underwear. We were all very surprised to discover that all that was left of the underwear were tiny bits and pieces,” Reid says, adding her and her students now know that the soil in their school’s front garden is healthy and teeming with life.

Soil feeds us, cleans our air and water, and supports our vibrant and diverse economy. National Soil Conservation Week is an annual opportunity to help us recognize the importance of soil to our nation and shed light on the vast and complicated business of keeping it healthy. But it doesn’t stop there. Encouraging Canadians to stop treating soil like dirt is something the SCCC advocates for year round.

This year’s Soil Your Undies campaign, in partnership with Stanfield’s Canada, will be hard to top. The response to Soil Your Undies was beyond SCCC’s expectations. It was picked up by a great deal of media outlets across the country and around the world. Multiple groups and individuals buried their own undies and took to social media to share their experiences. SCCC believes Canadians, and Kindergarten classes alike, are more informed than ever about the importance of our soil and understand the need to conserve it and keep it healthy for the next generation to explore.