Soil Is Alive: Elaine Ingham's Legacy

Elaine Ingham was an American soil scientist. She taught people that soil is alive and full of tiny living things called microorganisms. She founded Soil Foodweb Inc and the Soil Food Web School.

She died on February 16, 2026, in Fort Mill, South Carolina. She was 73 years old. Her work included the Soil Biology Primer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many farmers and gardeners used her ideas to help soil health. She also taught how to make compost and compost tea. People around the world learned from her classes. Her lessons helped farmers grow healthier plants without many chemicals.