The missing pillar of functional soils: how biological analysis can inform practical management - Survey
Our soils have an immense influence over the productivity, resilience and sustainability of our food system. Jades Nuffield Scholarship is inspired by the potential that lies beneath our feet and Jade is passionate about how we bring that potential to life. It is widely accepted that the functionality of our soils is built on three pillars, physics, chemistry and biology yet soil biology remains the least understood and least applied in agricultural decision-making. My Nuffield study will investigate how biological soil analysis is being used globally, and how it can better inform practical management on farms. Please complete my survey to provide some early insight for my study and associated travels.'
Jade Prince
Leading the soils team at Hutchinsons, one of the UK's largest agricultural distributors, I see every day the immense influence that soil has over productivity, resilience, and the sustainability of our food system. I'm constantly inspired by how much untapped potential lies beneath our feet and I'm passionate about helping farmers bring that potential to life.
I take pride in offering practical, down-to-earth advice and translating complex science into meaningful action. I've developed training courses and deliver soils workshops nationwide, using knowledge transfer to drive practical soil management on farms. Coming from a non-farming background, I also bring a broad perspective shaped by experience in sales, business, and management.
Beyond soils, I'm deeply engaged with the wider agricultural community as a FACTS examiner, former host of the Agronomy Matters podcast, and judge for the Soil Farmer of the Year award.
Through my Nuffield Scholarship, kindly sponsored by The Alastair and Margaret Miller Charitable Trust, I'll explore how soil biological analysis can be better understood and applied across UK agriculture bridging the gap between research and real-world farming.
Study Overview
Soil science is built on three pillars; physics, chemistry, and biology, yet soil biology remains the least understood and least applied in agricultural decision-making. While we routinely measure soil structure and nutrient levels, we rarely explore the living organisms that drive these processes.
My Nuffield study will investigate how biological soil analysis is being used globally, and how it can better inform practical management on farms. I aim to understand how different testing methods vary across regions, what decisions they enable, and how they can complement traditional physical and chemical analyses.
As interest in "biological" farming continues to grow, so too does the need for clarity. Many products and testing methods are emerging, but farmers often lack the tools to interpret results or use them effectively. Through my travels, I hope to identify best practices, evaluate cost and impact, and develop practical recommendations for integrating biology into soil management.
Ultimately, my goal is to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and real-world farming, empowering growers to make informed, sustainable decisions grounded in the full picture of soil health.
Survey Created By: Jade Prince
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