World Soil Day, December 5, is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of healthy soil and advocate for sustainable management of soil.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- World Soil Day, December 5, is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of healthy soil and advocate for sustainable management of soil. Healthy, productive soil is the backbone of any successful farm, and farmers go to great lengths to protect this valuable yet fragile resource. Soil management is a case where sustainability and business objectives are complementary, and it's critical to the many members of our Kellogg's Origins™ program, which tracks continuous improvement over time in sustainable farming practices.

"Being good stewards of the land and being a profitable farm are not mutually exclusive things," said Justin Krick, a Kellogg's Origins™ farmer who grows wheat that is used in Kellogg's® Frosted Mini-Wheats® cereal in Frankenmuth, Mich. "We need to take care of the soil to ensure both profitability today and to make sure the farm is here for future generations."

Two long-practiced methods - crop rotation and cover crops - are key to maintaining both the business health and environmental sustainability of a farm. Soil is an essential resource and a vital part of the natural environment from which most of the global food is produced. In celebration of World Soil Day, here's the "dirt" on the difference between crop rotation and cover crops:

Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of alternating the crops planted in a specific field in a given year. One season, a farmer may plant wheat, and then switch to sugar beets or corn in subsequent growing periods.

"If you grow the same crop on the same field, year after year, you risk increased disease and insect pressure, and you risk wearing out the soil," said Krick.

Crop rotation helps by breaking up disease cycles that could affect the same crop year after year. Farmers will often have several different crops growing in different sections of their farm at the same time. This is good for the soil, and it reduces the business impact if a major threat (disease, weather event or insect) was to hit one crop.

It's good business, and it's good for the environment.

Cover Crops
In addition to rotating crops, many farmers plant cover crops in their fields before or after their primary crop has been harvested. Cover crops are typically fast growing plants such as clover or rye. It costs money and takes time, but it's an investment that pays off in both the short-term and long-term health and productivity of the farm.

"We normally always have something growing on our fields to keep the soil healthy, in place, and to increase organic matter," said Rita Herford. a Kellogg's Origins™ farmer from Minden City, Mich. "It protects and revitalizes the field, getting it ready for the next crop."

Here's how it works: the roots and leaves of cover crops prevent erosion of valuable top soil from wind and rain. They also absorb nutrients left in the soil after the primary crop is harvested and return the nutrients to the soil when they decompose.

Kellogg and Farmers
Kellogg Company is proud to support the farmers that grow the crops used to make Kellogg's cereal and other products. Farmers such as Rita and Justin participate in the Kellogg's Origins™ Great Lakes Wheat Project. Through this initiative, Kellogg supports technology and training that helps farmers monitor the performance and sustainability of their farms—and monitor important issues that impact the health and success of their farming like continued soil health.

Healthy soil is the foundation of naturally healthier fields and bigger yielding harvests. When soil is properly cared for, crops need less fertilizer and pesticides - all things that are good for the environment and the farmer's bottom line.

About Kellogg Company
At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to make foods people love. This includes our beloved brands - Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Special K®, Pringles®, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Cheez-It®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats® and more - that nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. With 2016 sales of $13 billion and more than 1,600 foods, Kellogg is the world's leading cereal company; second largest producer of crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. And we're a company with a heart and soul, committing to help create 3 billion Better Days by 2025 through our Breakfasts for Better Days global purpose platform. To learn more, visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com and follow us on Twitter @KelloggCompany, YouTube and on our Social K corporate blog.