Development, plowing, landfilling, excessive pesticide and fertilizer use, microplastics from clothing, and more are putting soil health at risk. Soil health is vital for human health and the health of the planet.
Healthy soil is made up of billions of microscopic organisms. Just one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microbes than there are people on the planet! Soil microbes are constantly feeding on organic matter, like cotton underwear, which is why All Together Now PA is teaming up with The Big Favorite, Lancaster Water Week, The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Stroud Water Research Center, PA Soil Health Coalition and The Chesapeake Bay Foundations to ask you to SOIL YOUR UNDIES!
Here’s how to participate:
Step 1: “Plant” a pair of 100% cotton underwear by digging a hole 3 inches deep. Lay your undies flat inside the hole, and cover with soil. You can do this in your backyard, farm or large garden bed. Don’t forget to mark the spot you planted!
Step 2: Wait at least 60 days before gently unearthing them. This gives the microbes in your soil time to do their job.
Step 3: Dig up your undies and snap a photo! Make sure to tag us on instagram @alltogethernowpa @thebigfavorite @stroudcenter @pasafarming @chesapeakbayfoundation @lancasterconservancy @soilyourundies with hashtags #soilyourundies #soilhealth #donttreatsoillikedirt or send a picture to rachel@alltogethernowpa.org.
Step 4: Store your undies in a sealed plastic bag with a small sample of your soil.
Once participants dig up their undies, the findings will be collected, measured and accessed by the State of Pennsylvania to find out just how healthy our state’s soil really is! Once the data has been submitted, participants will receive information on how to improve the health of their soil. Stay tuned for more info on where to send your soiled undies.
Watch below for video instructions!
Need a pair of undies to bury (or 2)? Please consider purchasing them from ATN-PA Clothing &Textile Coalition member, The Big Favorite. Use the code SOILYOURUNDIES at check out to get the second pair free!
Curious to learn more about soil health reporting? Click here to view the latest report from PASA.
