Ferrum College students in Dr. Nancy Brubaker’s One Health HHP 110 class participated in a soil health lab called the “Soil Your Undies Challenge.” The campaign was originally launched in 2018. Oregon farmers, working with their local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), created the challenge as a fun way to build public interest in soil health.
One Health HHP 110 students buried underwear in three different spots on campus: two at the corner of Adams Lake, three near the Arboretum, and two more next to Garber Hall.
Whether you’re on crop, range, or forestland, the quick and dirty way to test your soil health is by “planting” a pair of new cotton underwear in the site you’re curious about. Wait at least 60 days, then dig them back up. The more the undies deteriorate, the healthier your soil.
You can try it at home by following these steps:
Microbial Action:
Your undies won’t break down in just any soil. Healthy soil contains billions of microbes that consume the cotton. In fact, one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microbes than there are people on the planet. In addition to chowing down on organic matter like cotton, they help soil resist erosion, cycle nutrients, and store water.
