RESTORING THE MICROBIOME

Teaching farmers the principles of healthy living soil management is our passion. The mutualistic relationship between the plant and it's microbiome, supports the health and natural intelligence of the plant. This allows for high quality and high yielding crop production through regenerative agricultural techniques that include all the beneficial microbes in the soil. When farmers apply these principles they take control of their quality and yield and decrease the cost of production on their farm.

The Crescive Method is a comprehensive holistic approach to harnessing the power of microbes, minerals and nutrition in regenerating our soils. It includes all of the key beneficial microbes needed to build soil structure and cycle nutrients to your plants. As we transition your farm to success, our complimentary nutritional support programs ensure healthy crops while building on the principles of the Soil Food Web. It is based on first-hand field experience and the hard-work of dedicated soil scientists that have come before us.

WHAT DO MICROBES DO FOR US?

We are a living planet and microbes are the grand architect of that living component. Through natures ability to capture and store energy we now have an oxygen rich planet filled with life. Microbes inhabit every nook and cranny of this beautiful earth. They outnumber us humans 10 to 1. For comparison, we have 30,000 genes and our single celled microbial compliment has 8 million genes. Thats 250 genes to every one of ours! They help us digest our food, generate nutrients for us, synthesize vitamins, inform gene regulation, promote cell renewal, and activate and support your immune system and much more.

This is no different for your plants. They depend on them for nutrient acquisition, pathogen protection, and gene regulation. Microbes allow your crops to fully express all of the higher level plant health compounds that determine flavor, aroma, nutritional content, terpene profiles and shelf life. When the microbial community is disturbed these functions will be compromised.

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Ecological succession refers to the change in complexity in species structure of an ecological community over time. As the above ground biomass increases in complexity and diversity, so does the microbial ecosystem below. The balance of the soil microbiome is a major component of dictating the fertility of the soil. When the soil is dominated by bacteria, we see low fertility and domination of weeds. As the soil becomes more diverse with higher levels of beneficial fungi and microbial grazers, we see greater and greater soil fertility with higher plant health to match. Each plant has evolved with a specific range and population of organisms from a given point in this progression called ecological succession.

KEY INTERACTIONS

As you get to know your soil microbes, you will learn that there are key groups of important organisms and key interactions that support your plant. Each individual organism group provides critical functions that contribute to the healthy balance of the whole. The information below provides just a few key interactions to know as you build your knowledge about the world beneath our feet.

NUTRIENT STORAGE

The first important group of organisms we refer to as the nutrient storage organisms. They are responsible for decomposing organic matter, retaining nutrients in their bodies and building soil. These are bacteria and fungi. Both bacteria and fungi have specific functions they perform in breaking down organic matter while assimilating minerals and nutrients into their bodies. The bacteria play a role in soil building by forming the first stages of soil structure called microaggregation. As the soil develops, fungi bind together these microaggregates to form pore space called macroaggregation. These two actions create a healthy soil structure that allows your soil to breathe and become a buffer to both draught and excess water.

NUTRIENT CYCLERS

Nutrient cycling occurs by a predator to prey interaction between the nutrient storage organisms and their respective micrograzers. We call this next set of organisms the nutrient cyclers. These are your Flagellates, Amoebas, Beneficial Nematodes and Microarthropods. As they graze on the bacteria and fungi, they release the excess nutrients into the soil in bioavailable forms your plant can immediately absorb. In short, microbial poop feeds your plants!

ANAEROBIC INDICATORS

These are the organisms that tell us when we are selecting an environment that will make your plants unhealthy. We call them the anaerobic indicators. These are your Ciliates, Root-feeding Nematodes and your Oomycetes. When these organisms increase in numbers, plant health issues are likely to come soon after.

PATHOGEN PROTECTION

Part of the job of beneficial microbes is to fill all the spaces available in the soil so that there is no room for pathogens to proliferate. They outcompete for resources as well as maintain an environment that is not conducive to the anaerobic organisms. It’s an important concept to understand. We can teach you how to maintain this environment so your microbes can continue to work for you and your plants. The result is increased quality and yields.

THE RESEARCH

There is so much to learn about the wonderful world of soil microbes and all the ways they support our plants and ecosystems. Here’s a peak at some of the most profound soil science heroes that influence our path to soil regeneration today.

Dr. Elaine Ingham

Dr. Ingham is the Founder and Director of Research for Soil Foodweb Inc. She has pioneered research in the field of Soil Microbiology over the last 4 decades and is a world renowned soil microbiologist.

Dr. Ingham teaches her wealth of knowledge and research on the different groups of microbes that make up the Soil Food Web in her online classroom. She is empowering people all over the world to bring the soil in their communities back to life using the science of the Soil Food Web. Dr. Ingham's revolutionary approach has been used to restore living soils all over the world, ensuring healthy, strong plants and super-nutritious food, while eliminating the need for chemical inputs.

Dr. Arden Andersen

Dr. Arden Andersen D.O., is a respected teacher, consultant and physician as well as a retired Colonel in the USAF. He holds degrees in Public Health and a Ph.D. in Biophysics. He is one of the foremost soil health luminaries of our times. He combines his medical career in integrative medicine with his passion for biological agriculture to bring about profound changes in soil health. He studied under such iconic minds in soil regeneration, such as Carey Reams, a well-known genius in soil mineral balancing, and Dr. William Albrecht, whose work has been pivotal to our understanding of soil chemistry today.

He has pioneered research in the field of Biological Farming over the last 5 decades and is a well-respected, world-wide influence on biological farming. Dr. Andersen teaches his wealth of knowledge and research on the soil regeneration journey to farmers today through programs with ACRES USA and published books. He has written such pivotal books on soil regeneration as "Real Medicine, Real Health", "Science in Agriculture", "Anatomy of Life and Energy in Agriculture" and "Food Plague".

Discover ways to learn more!

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

Here's more research to dive a little deeper into the agricultural uses of microbes.

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