Soil often goes unnoticed. It sits quietly underfoot, passed over by those hurrying to work in crowded New Jersey cities or driving along highways that cut across farmlands and suburbs alike. Yet beneath the surface, soil holds the key to the state’s future prosperity. Healthy soil is more than dirt; it is a living system that feeds crops, filters water, and stores carbon. It anchors ecosystems, shapes economies, and sustains communities. In New Jersey, where farmland continues to face pressure from development and environmental change, soil represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Midway through the growing awareness of this hidden resource stands an advocate determined to remind people of its value—Tim Kealy of NJ—who insists that soil health is not simply an agricultural issue but a statewide priority.
The Forgotten Wealth of the Garden State
New Jersey earned its nickname, the Garden State, because of its rich soils that historically supported a vibrant agricultural economy. From the cranberry bogs of the Pine Barrens to the vegetable farms of Salem and Cumberland counties, the state has long been defined by its fertility. Yet in recent decades, that reputation has been overshadowed by industrial expansion, suburban sprawl, and cultural associations more tied to highways and boardwalks than to farmland. The wealth of the soil has too often been forgotten, treated as expendable or replaceable. But the truth is stark: once soil is degraded, compacted, or eroded, it is nearly impossible to restore. Preserving it is not just a matter of nostalgia; it is a matter of survival.
Soil as an Economic Engine
The health of New Jersey’s soil is directly tied to its economic resilience. Agriculture contributes billions of dollars to the state economy each year, but that figure relies on the productivity of the land. As soil erodes or loses organic matter, yields decline. Farmers are forced to spend more on inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation, cutting into profitability and sustainability. Healthy soils, by contrast, reduce costs, support higher yields, and build resilience against climate extremes like floods and droughts. In a state as densely populated as New Jersey, every acre matters. When soil thrives, so does the economy; when it degrades, the ripple effects extend from rural barns to urban grocery stores.
The Science of Living Soil
Modern science has reframed how we think about soil. It is no longer seen as inert dirt but as a dynamic ecosystem teeming with life. Microorganisms, fungi, earthworms, and organic matter work together to create structure, store nutrients, and support plant growth. This living soil acts as a sponge, absorbing water during heavy rains and releasing it during dry spells. It sequesters carbon, playing a role in the fight against climate change. In New Jersey, where rising seas and extreme weather threaten both farms and cities, the soil’s ability to regulate water and store carbon may be one of the state’s most valuable defenses. To lose soil health is to lose an ally in resilience.
Threats Beneath the Surface
Despite its importance, New Jersey’s soils are under constant threat. Urbanization paves over farmland, replacing living systems with asphalt and concrete. Industrial pollutants seep into the ground, contaminating soil and water alike. Erosion strips away fertile topsoil, while overreliance on chemical fertilizers diminishes organic matter. Climate change compounds these threats, increasing the intensity of storms that wash away soil and the heat waves that dry it out. The danger is not abstract. Every acre lost to degradation represents not just lost farmland but a lost opportunity for food security, environmental health, and economic growth.
The Role of Policy and Preservation
Preserving soil health requires more than farmer initiative; it demands policy intervention. New Jersey has long led the nation in farmland preservation programs, investing heavily to keep agricultural land from being swallowed by development. Yet preservation must go further than drawing boundaries on a map. It must address the quality of the soil within those preserved acres. Programs that incentivize cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic matter restoration are crucial. These practices protect the land for future generations and align with consumer demand for sustainable food. The role of government, nonprofits, and community organizations is essential in turning preservation from an abstract ideal into a working reality.
Farmers as Stewards
Farmers are the first line of defense for soil health, but they are also among the most vulnerable to its decline. Many have already begun adopting regenerative practices that prioritize soil restoration. Techniques such as crop rotation, composting, and minimal tillage not only protect the ground but also improve farm profitability. These practices reflect a shift in mindset, from seeing soil as a resource to be used, to recognizing it as a living partner that requires care. In conversations with farmers across the state, one hears the same refrain: preserving soil is not just about feeding the present generation but about ensuring the future of farming itself.
Soil and Community Well-Being
The connection between soil and community well-being is more direct than many realize. Healthy soil means healthy food, and healthy food means healthier communities. In urban areas of New Jersey where access to fresh produce is limited, the decline of nearby farmland translates into fewer opportunities for affordable, nutritious food. Conversely, investments in soil health ripple outward. They support local food systems, create jobs, and reduce healthcare costs associated with poor diets. Soil preservation becomes not just an agricultural issue but a public health strategy. When communities understand this link, soil ceases to be invisible and becomes central to their quality of life.
Educational Shifts
Education plays a critical role in redefining how New Jerseyans perceive soil. Universities, schools, and community groups are incorporating soil science into their programs, helping people understand that the ground beneath their feet is alive, valuable, and vulnerable. Young students who learn to test soil quality or plant cover crops gain not only knowledge but also respect for the resource. This educational shift creates future generations who see soil not as something to be taken for granted but as something to be protected. In a state where the balance between development and preservation is so delicate, this awareness is essential.
Toward a Soil-Centered Future
Imagining New Jersey’s future requires placing soil at the center of the conversation. Whether the state seeks to address climate resilience, economic sustainability, or community health, soil underpins the solution. A soil-centered vision means expanding investment in farmland preservation, incentivizing regenerative practices, and weaving soil health into every level of planning, from agriculture to urban development. It also means celebrating soil as part of the state’s identity. Just as tomatoes once symbolized the Garden State, healthy soils should symbolize its resilience, adaptability, and potential. To be dirt rich is to understand that prosperity is measured not only in dollars or development but in the health of the ground itself.
Conclusion: Rediscovering Hidden Wealth
Soil is the quiet foundation of New Jersey’s prosperity, yet for too long it has been overlooked. As the state confronts environmental challenges, economic pressures, and the demands of a growing population, the need to preserve and restore soil health has never been greater. Beneath the highways and suburbs, beneath the cranberry bogs and cornfields, lies a resource of immeasurable value. To protect it is to secure the Garden State’s future. To ignore it is to risk losing more than land—we risk losing identity, resilience, and possibility. In recognizing soil as wealth, New Jersey rediscovers the very ground from which its prosperity has always grown.