Society is three missed meals away from chaos.

At least I think that’s how the quote goes.

Either way, the point lands: food is the backbone of civilisation. Agriculture isn’t “an industry” so much as the thing that keeps everything else possible.

Lately I’ve been thinking the same principle applies under our feet.

The most efficient growers I see aren’t always the ones throwing the kitchen sink at P & K. Some are applying next to nothing, maintaining levels, and still producing serious yields. High NUE. Strong plant health. Calm, consistent performance.

What’s different?

They’re feeding the system. Especially the microbes.

Sometimes that’s via products, but honestly, most of the time it’s just practices. Roots in the ground. Living cover. Reduced disturbance. Keeping carbon cycling.

Here’s the bit that stuck with me:

A huge chunk of microbial “food” in soil is tied to WEOC (water-extractable organic carbon) … basically the most available, ready-to-use carbon fraction.

So if society starts missing meals, things get shaky.

And if microbes start missing meals… soil function gets shaky too.

Less biology doing the work means less nutrient cycling, weaker structure, poorer resilience, and a system that costs more to push.

That’s it. Just a thought that’s been rattling around my head.

If you want to chat WEOC, NUE, or what you’re seeing in your own fields, drop a comment or message me.

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