Illinois § 3.27

§ 3.27.

"Healthy soil" means the continuing capacity of a soil to function as a vital, living biological system that sustains plants, animals, and humans, increases soil organic matter, improves soil structure and water-holding and nutrient-holding capacity and nutrient cycling, enhances water infiltration and filtration capability, promotes water quality, and results in net long-term ecological benefits. "Healthy soil" includes soil that hosts a diversity of beneficial organisms, grow vigorous crops, enhance agricultural resilience, including the ability of crops and livestock to tolerate and recover from drought, temperature extremes, extreme precipitation events, pests, diseases, and other stresses, break down harmful chemicals, and help convert organic residues into stable soil organic matter and retaining nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. (Source: P.A. 103-494, eff. 8-4-23.)