So much more than just the ground under our feet, soil is a vital natural resource that helps to grow our food and sustain our planet and the theme for today’s World Soil Day is ‘Soils, where food begins’.
December 5 is the date set for annual event celebrating the importance of soil – it is essential for human health and well-being, as well as for the environment.
To celebrate, today Landcare Australia is opening nominations for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.
General Jeffery Soil Health Award
Back for the third successive round, the prestigious General Jeffery Soil Health Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others. The $20,000 award will provide invaluable support to the winner to help extend their work in soil health.
Previous award winners and notable figures in the world of soil health and science, Dr Oliver Knox and Emerita Professor Dr Lynnette Abbot will be part of the specialist advisory panel to select the winner of the 2025 Award.
The 2022 winner, leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, of ‘Soil your Undies’ fame, Dr Oliver Knox says we all have a responsibility to our soils and our soil health. ‘The more we all do, the more likely we are to see a fantastic future for Australia’s soils.’
Previous award winners
The two previous award winners have teamed up to encourage nominations for the influential General Jeffrey Soil Health Award.
Dr Knox said what he is looking for in the nominations is passion, drive and impact. ‘Soil is full of surprises, so I’m hoping to learn from all of the nominations and expect to feel disappointed there can be only one winner.
‘It’s exciting and all that is needed now is for some nominations, so that are you waiting for?
‘Nominate your soil’s guru.’
Leading soil scientist Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott and winner of the inaugural prize in 2020, is encouraging soil science experts across Australia to nominate colleagues for the prestigious national award.
A valuable process
‘It is a very valuable process for highlighting the contributions that others are making to soil health in their various ways. There are many approaches.
‘I think it is a good award – it is different to many other awards, unique in its focus on soil health of course.’
As Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, General Michael Jeffery passionately advocated for improvements in the health of our agricultural landscape. By championing soil health from Parliament House to the paddock, he successfully changed attitudes towards soil sustainability and energised change on farms right across Australia.
Jeffery relentlessly pursued his focus on the importance of integrated management of soil, water, animals and plants to the benefit of all Australians and our environment.
Nominations for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award close on Monday, Mach 31, 2025 and the winner will receive a trophy and a $20,000 (ex GST) for an agreed soil project.
Sustainability and productivity
CEO of Landcare Australia, Dr Shane Norrish, says healthy, well managed soil is a vital part of the sustainability and productivity of our agricultural sector and the natural environment. ‘Soils are the basis of food production, food security and human health, and this award acknowledges people who are working to protect, conserve and build the health of our soils.’
In effort to bring soil health to the forefront of critical biodiversity and environmental conversations, Landcare Australia has for the first time opened the eligibility criteria to include voluntary environmental groups and organisations who are actively involved in activities to protect and improve soil health.
‘It is vital we give Australian soil health experts the recognition and national platform they deserve. That’s why we believe it is the right time to widen the prize to included landcare groups, farmers, farming groups, land managers and educators.’
To find out how to nominate for the award, visit the Landcare website.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
