2018 Ag Biotech Summit Explores Soil Health Importance for Plants, Animals, People

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is collaborating with the Soil Health Institute to highlight the impact of soil health on plant, animal and human health at the 2018 Ag Biotech Summit.

“It all starts with the dirt,” said Scott Johnson, the Biotech Center’s vice president of agriculture sector development.

The biennial event, held over two half days at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill February 20 and 21, will examine emerging trends and technologies fostering and promoting soil health.

Johnson said, “This one and the last one (in 2016) focused on science that’s very topical and opportunities that come out of that science. But this one is a little bit different. It has more of a sustainability and good practice intent, especially the first afternoon.”

Though events both days will appeal to a wide range of participants, the first session beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20 at noon will include “a lot of science,” Johnson said. “We’re calling it ‘Soil health: the intersection of biological and physical science.’”

One panel Tuesday afternoon will look at good soil science and its impact on good animal and human health. “Healthy soils result in good health for people and animals, not just plants,” Johnson said. It affects grazing animals consuming the plants grown in the soil and goes up the food chain to affect human health.

Read the full article here: https://www.ncbiotech.org/news/2018-ag-biotech-summit-explores-soil-health-importance-plants-animals-people