World Soil Day event showcases bipartisan support for soil

Parliamentarians gathered in Canberra in late November at the Parliamentary Friends of Soil (PFOS) World Soil Day breakfast to shine a spotlight on the importance of healthy soil and celebrate the successes of those who advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

Now in its fourth year, this networking breakfast is an opportunity for parliamentarians, farmers, land managers, soil scientists, researchers, policymakers and industry representatives to connect with a wide range of specialists, stakeholders and decision-makers dealing with soil issues and policies.

PFOS Co-Chairs, the Hon Michael McCormack MP and Meryl Swanson MP, each spoke at the event and emphasised the importance of soil to life on this planet. 

Mr McCormack said he was delighted to continue to promote such a vital, life-sustaining resource and acknowledged those who are working to make our soils more resilient.

“There are a lot of good people putting their hard-earned behind getting the very best out of our soils,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, our CEO Dr Michael Crawford highlighted the importance of the Soil CRC’s PhD Student Program and our role in building the capability of Australia’s soil research.

“A key feature of the Soil CRC is our PhD Student Program, and I am very proud of the legacy we are leaving through the training and development of the next generation of soil researchers,” he said.

Soil CRC PhD student Reuben Mah delivered his award-winning presentation, ‘Lab on a chip: combining precision and convenience in soil monitoring’, which aligned perfectly with the theme of this year’s World Soil Day – ‘measure, monitor, manage’.

“Reuben’s research emphasises the importance of accurate soil data and information to support informed decision-making on sustainable soil management,” Dr Crawford said.

“The Soil CRC is privileged to work with researchers, farming groups, PhD students and industry experts from our 39 participant organisations to deliver new knowledge, tools and practices to help our farmers better measure, monitor and manage their soil.

“We are pleased to support this important event to continue to raise the profile of soil amongst Australia’s politicians and advocate for ongoing government-funded soil research.”

The Parliamentary Friends of Soil World Soil Day breakfast was organised by Soil Science Australia with support from the Soil CRC and Soils For Life, along with fifteen other organisations.

Main image, L-R: Mr Eli Court (CEO, Soils for Life), Dr Reuben Mah (Soil CRC and University of Tasmania), Mr Michael Walker (CEO, Soil Science Australia), the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Ms Meryl Swanson MP, The Hon Penny Wensley AC (Patron, Soil CRC and Soil Science Australia), Mr Sam Birrell MP, Dr Michael Crawford (CEO, Soil CRC), Mr Darren Kidd (Federal President, Soil Science Australia).

About World Soil Day

The United Nations’ World Soil Day is held annually on 5 December to focus attention on soil and the critical role it plays in supporting life on earth. It is a day to celebrate soil, to reflect on its significance and promote the importance of soil health and the sustainable management of soil resources.

Find out more

Watch Reuben’s award-winning presentation (recreated at the 2024 Soil CRC Participants Conference)