Scientists have unlocked a new ingredient to help improve soil health

A good crop starts with healthy soil, and one company is turning its attention to a unique ingredient for answers.

“We take soil samples, isolate certain strains of algae, and then use that to help generate activity in the soil through feeding the microbiome. The algae serve as kind of the basic building block of the food chain if you will. And we see changes from, you know, biological, physical, and chemical changes in the soil, talking about things like enhancing soil health, improving soil fertility, looking at soil structural changes,” said Dave Booher.

Booher says the end goal is to improve soil and plant health while increasing productivity.

Related Stories
The new rule removes prevented-plant buy-up coverage, prompting strong objections from farm groups concerned about added risk exposure.
Tight Credit, Strong Yields Define Early December Agriculture
Lawmakers and experts react to the Administration’s long-awaited announcement of “bridge” aid to stabilize farms and offset 2025 losses until expanded safety-net programs begin in 2026.
Read the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official press release published on Monday, December 8, 2025.
$11 billion will go to row-crop farmers immediately, with $1 billion set aside for specialty crops.
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
UMN Extension’s Emily Krekelberg outlines today’s top farm stressors, key signs of mental health distress in rural communities, and the resources available for support.
National Pork Board Chief Sustainability Officer Jamie Burr shares a closer look at the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Report, a research program to increase trust in the pork supply chain.
Brooks York with Agrisompo joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with some guidance on how producers can navigate their crop insurance claims for unsold grain crops.
For many farm businesses, property taxes on business assets have become a significant and highly visible expense, threatening liquidity, discouraging investment, and creating a disproportionate burden when compared to other industries.
Ethanol markets remain mixed — weaker production and blend rates are being partially balanced by stronger exports as winter demand patterns take shape.