Empowering Self-Reliance and Sustainable Living & Microbiomes
Empowering Self-Reliance and Sustainable Living & Microbiomes
Articles about the living biology of soil, including microbes, fungi, roots, compost, nutrient cycling and plant–microbe relationships. These pieces explore how healthy soil biology becomes the foundation for resilient plants, nutrient-dense food and healthy ecosystems.
We are living in a time of disorientation. Many are searching for meaning, for answers, for someone to speak truth in a world that feels increasingly synthetic and detached. We’re told to look to the experts, the institutions, the leaders in suits and robes, the ones who speak from marble …
At the Living Ground Project, we are growing far more than gardens. We are cultivating a living system one that begins deep in the soil and extends upward through plants, people, ideas, and the shared heartbeat of community. What I believed I was building in the beginning has transformed. It’s …
In this article, I explore the intricate relationships between the soil microbiome, plants, and human health. Through recent discoveries and personal experience, I share how restoring healthy soil is about more than adding microbes, it is about rebuilding the living terrain itself. Together we are learning that the health of …
Picture a hillside ablaze, flames tearing through dry grass and brittle shrubs, a scene all too familiar after last fire season’s devastation across our mountains. The fires left behind charred scars, thousands of acres reduced to ash. You might’ve thought the worst was over—until last night. A big rain hit, …
When I was 30, I had the opportunity to visit my parents in South Africa, and I encountered a mountain-top experience that left a lasting imprint on my heart. Standing before the majestic Drakensberg mountains, I was enveloped by the joy of a breathtaking view, with flowering trees adding vibrant …
Soil is far more than the foundation beneath our feet; it’s an intricate, dynamic ecosystem essential for life on land. A recent study shines a light on the pivotal roles of soil microarthropods, highlighting how these tiny creatures foster essential processes such as nutrient cycling and pest suppression, which deeply …
The microbial world is an unimaginably diverse landscape, teeming with organisms that play a fascinating array of roles in both agriculture and human health. Contrary to traditional beliefs, not all microbes are harmful; in fact, many are critical allies in maintaining the health of our crops and our bodies. To …
Understanding transpiration and the concept of a “soil sponge” is key to preventing fires and maintaining climate balance. Transpiration, where plants release water vapor into the air, acts like a natural air conditioner. This added moisture helps keep the area cooler and plants more hydrated, lowering the chance of fires …
I’ve been wrestling with how to articulate my thoughts on the desire to analyze herbs for specific nutrients especially minerals. To break down these complex plants into neat little lists of vitamins and minerals, to quantify their goodness in milligrams and percentages is not always best (extractive in nature). I …
Beneath our feet lies a complex world of soil microbes engaged in intricate “belowground politics.” These tiny organisms form alliances, communicate, negotiate, and sometimes even sabotage each other’s efforts, offering profound lessons for human society. This underground realm unveils fascinating dynamics that can reshape our understanding of both natural and …