CARBON

Soil carbon is essential to healthy, productive soils and can be a powerful tool combating climate change. Carbon in soil improves soil structure, increases water retention, enhances nutrient availability, and supplies diverse microbial communities with nutrients and shelter. Healthy carbon rich soils are more resilient to drought, erosion, and extreme weather events.

Earth’s soils hold 2,500 billion tons of carbon making it the second largest pool of carbon on earth surpassed only by the ocean. Climate adaptive and regenerative farming practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping, and perennial deep root systems could sequester an estimated billion more tons of carbon a year. 

Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced by heating organic matter in a low-oxygen environment (called pyrolysis). Creating Biochar is an effective way of increasing long term soil carbon storage. Biochar enhances water and nutrient retention, provides habitat for beneficial microorganisms, and can remain in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, making it an effective strategy for both improving soil health and sequestering atmospheric carbon.

Blackened cabbage, tahini beet whip, zatar

Charred eggplant, soy, evoo

WATER

Soil is the Earth’s biggest filtration system. Soil structure, organic matter, and diverse microbial communities work together to capture, store, purify and slowly release water. As it moves through soil layers it is filtered naturally. Soil particles, plant roots, bacteria, and fungi help trap sediments, break down pollutants, and cycle excess nutrients, improving water quality before it reaches groundwater, streams, and rivers. 

Soils rich in organic carbon also have greater water holding capacity, helping landscapes retain moisture during droughts while reducing runoff and erosion during heavy rainfall events. Healthy soils protect freshwater resources, support plant life, and increase resilience.

Rose and orange blossom water + sunfair flowers

LIFE

Soil supports human life not only by sustaining agriculture but also has shaped cultures, traditions, and relationships with the land. Soils provide the foundation for farming systems that produce the majority of the world’s calories. Beyond its importance to agriculture, soil is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, hosting a vast network of microorganisms, fungi, insects, and other organisms that work together to maintain healthy ecosystems. 

These underground communities drive nutrient cycling, build soil structure, support plants, and contribute to processes that sustain life aboveground. Although much of this underground world is hidden from view, these ecosystems are essential to human survival, cultural identity, and rhythms of our life.

Hummus, seasonal treasures, nematode towers

Endive, green goddess, fennel, soft herbs, pistachio

NUTRIENTS  

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen fertilizers are a cornerstone of modern agriculture and global food supply. Most synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are produced through the energy intensive Haber–Bosch process, which relies heavily on fossil fuels and accounts for 1-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. 

Human urine offers a renewable alternative, containing high concentrations of nitrogen along with phosphorus, potassium, and other essential nutrients. When properly collected, stored, and applied, urine can safely replace a significant portion of synthetic fertilizers, reducing energy use, recycling nutrients that would otherwise contaminate wastewater systems. Humans produce enough Nitrogen each day to fertilize 400g of wheat (about a loaf of bread worth). 

Saffron lemon barley water