Year in Review: The MyLand Team’s Learnings in Soil Science
We asked Team MyLand: What did you learn in 2024?
Their answers surprised us, and they might surprise you, too! They shared profound insights into how soil health drives agricultural success, the nature of microalgae, how managing soil systems can lead to greater plant resilience, and even about plants communicating in the rainforest.
- Microalgae is Everywhere
- Soil Breathes – Dirt Doesn’t
- Algae: A Plant’s Personal DoorDash
- Microalgae’s Role in Improving Soil Water Retention
- The Soil Microbiome Mirrors the Human Microbiome
- Plant Communication in the Rainforest
- Algae for Wastewater Treatment
- The True Impact of Soil Regeneration on Land and Livelihoods
1. Microalgae is Everywhere!
Bryce, our Lead Algae Specialist, explained how algae serve as a foundational species in nearly every environment, from the depths of the ocean to the most extreme habitats on Earth. This discovery expanded his perspective on the vital function algae plays in maintaining ecological balance.
“I learned that algae can be found in almost every environment in nature, even in extremes like glaciers.”
As a foundational species, algae help maintain the integrity of ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and nutrient cycles. Understanding this role allows us to harness algae’s full potential in agricultural practices, improving soil structure, water retention, and resilience against environmental stressors.
2. Soil Breathes – Dirt Doesn’t
Natalie, MyLand’s Creative Design Manager, shared her learnings about how soil is alive:
“Being new to the agriculture market, one thing has stuck with me: soil is truly a living, breathing microbiome. We’re taught to strip away fungi and bacteria to protect our crops, but in doing so, the natural nutrient cycling that makes soil alive is often severed. These microorganisms are what transform organic matter under the surface into nutrients on our plates like nitrogen, carbon, phosphates, and potassium. Without them, our crops experience biotic stress, and the food we eat loses its full nutritional potential. Soil is where the magic happens; if we nurture what’s living beneath the surface, we’re not just increasing the nutrient density of our crops, we’re nourishing everything connected to them.”
3. Algae: A Plant’s Personal DoorDash
Courtney, MyLand’s Algae Production & Development Manager, shared a learning about the relationship between plants and algae:
“It’s well known by scientists that plant roots exude food like fructose to cultivate the microbiome around them. This year I learned that plants will actually take algae inside their roots. This means that these algae are ‘endophytic.’ The specific paper I read showed a chlorella sp. in the root and the chlorella had brought bacteria with it, which it released into the plant for nutrients. It’s like the algae is the plant’s personal DoorDash.”
4. Microalgae’s Role in Improving Soil Water Retention
Our team is always tapping into the benefits of live, native microalgae in improving soil structure and increasing water retention. Kevin, MyLand’s Manager of Strategic Development, said:
“Microalgae in the soil produce a sticky substance called extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) primarily to help them move through the soil more easily. However, a secondary benefit of this EPS is that it binds soil particles together, enhancing soil structure and increasing its ability to retain water. This improved water retention reduces the need for irrigation, making farming more efficient and sustainable.”
In an era of increasing water scarcity, understanding and leveraging algae’s natural properties can make a huge difference in how we manage soil moisture and irrigation needs. Microalgae’s ability to form strong soil aggregates enhances soil’s capacity to retain water, reducing the frequency and volume of irrigation required. This is especially important in regions experiencing droughts or unpredictable weather patterns.
5. The Soil Microbiome Mirrors the Human Microbiome
Nicole, MyLand’s Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, shared:
“It’s fascinating that the soil microbiome mirrors our gut microbiome. We’re intertwined with the source of our food, and just as we focus on gut health to improve overall wellness, we need to focus on soil health to improve farm productivity and environmental sustainability.”
Nicole’s insight emphasizes how crucial soil health is—not only for farmers but for everyone who depends on a sustainable and healthy food system. Building soil resilience isn’t just about improving crop yields; it’s about fostering a more robust ecosystem that benefits the entire planet.
6. Plant Communication in the Rainforest
From plant communication to the microbiomes within soils, we are constantly amazed by the complexity and magnitude of the science of soil.
Preston, MyLand’s Engineering Specialist, shared a fascinating fact about the intricate ways plants communicate in the rainforest—a reminder of how critical soil is in maintaining ecosystem balance.
“I discovered that plants in the rainforest have this incredible ability to communicate with trees, influencing rainfall. Trees and plants release chemicals into the atmosphere that can help form clouds by bonding with water vapor. This process can ultimately lead to rain – a process that showcases the interconnectivity within the ecosystem, where plants actively contribute to creating their own environment.”
This reinforces the idea that the connections between plants, soil, and the broader ecosystem are far more dynamic and interconnected than we imagine. In agriculture, understanding these processes helps us create more sustainable farming systems that reflect the natural balance found in nature.
7. Algae for Wastewater Treatment
Colton, MyLand’s Algae Production and Development Manager, shared a lesson he learned at a conference about using algae to treat wastewater:
“This is a very unique way to grow algae, which allows the company to treat high volumes of wastewater in a small footprint. Very exciting to see how different groups utilize algae and the unique technologies they use to make it happen.”
During a session at the Algae Biomass Summit, a company presented technology that uses algae grown on a rotating belt to form a biofilm, which is submerged into wastewater to absorb nutrients, then exposed to light and CO2 to continue its growth cycle. The algae are harvested by scraping the biofilm, allowing for continuous production and a minimal footprint.
This innovative approach highlights the versatility of algae and its potential beyond soil health. By utilizing algae to treat wastewater, companies can tackle environmental challenges in a sustainable manner.
8. The True Impact of Soil Regeneration on Land and Livelihoods
Mike, Senior Director of Algae Operations and Innovation at MyLand, reflects on his decade-long journey in the soil health and algae industries, where his understanding of the broader impact of soil regeneration has evolved. While soil health has always been a priority, he has come to realize that the true value of improving soil isn’t just about increasing crop yields or even addressing land degradation—it’s about restoring the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.
“After 10+ years of working in soil health and algae, thinking the entire time that the most important thing was to improve soil health…I have learned something else. With over 30% of the world’s arable land degraded, soil regeneration and soil health are in fact wildly important. However, what we are really giving back to farmers and ranchers is their way of life. As their land goes, so goes their yield, so goes their herd…and in turn so goes their ability to have a sustainable income, to buy a new pair of boots before the old ones are completely worn through, to hand down their healthy, strong and full of life land to their kids.”
The connection between the land and a farmer’s way of life is profound, and by rejuvenating the soil, we are helping to restore the fundamental support for these families’ futures.
LaMont’s insight highlights a crucial aspect of what MyLand’s work is all about—fostering long-term sustainability not just in the soil but in the agricultural way of life. By restoring soil health, MyLand empowers farmers and ranchers to not only thrive in the short term but to ensure that they can continue to pass on productive, resilient land to future generations. This sense of continuity and connection to the land forms the backbone of our commitment to improving agricultural practices.
In an era where many farmers face the pressures of economic uncertainty, soil degradation, and increasing weather extremes, the importance of soil regeneration extends far beyond just farming practices—it’s about securing the economic and emotional well-being of farming families.
Cheers to a Fruitful Year Ahead – And More Lessons About Soil Health
As we enter 2025, the MyLand team is more committed than ever to supporting growers in their pursuit of sustainable agriculture. We have learned invaluable lessons this year, and we’re excited to apply those lessons to help our clients achieve even greater success in the future. Cheers to a fruitful year ahead!