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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #436264
Research Project: Transdisciplinary Research that Improves the Productivity and Sustainability of Northern Great Plains Agroecosystems and the Well-Being of the Communities They Serve

Location: Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory

Title: Connections between soil health and well-being update

Author
item Friedrichsen, Claire

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2026
Publication Date: 7/16/2026
Citation: Friedrichsen, C.N. 2026. Connections between soil health and well-being update. Meeting Abstract. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Farmers across the United States increasingly recognize that soil health delivers far more than agronomic benefits by strengthening communities, creating a meaningful livelihood, and supporting their well-being. Across three related research projects, we interviewed producers from diverse backgrounds, examined how farmers define the value of soil, and built a quantitative tool to measure the social and emotional outcomes of soil stewardship. Our studies show that soil stewardship empowers farmers, improves feelings of autonomy and hope, and reinforces the meaning and legacy of their work. Community interviews revealed three major domains of soil-driven well-being: connections, capabilities, and conditions, each reflecting how soil practices contribute to community outcomes. Building on these insights, we developed the Soil Health and Well-Being (SHWB) Scale, an empirically validated tool that quantitatively measures the intangible benefits farmers receive from soil health management including as pride, reduced stress, and community engagement. This research demonstrates that soil health is not only an environmental practice but actively contributes to thriving farms, families, and communities.