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There is a complex foodweb that makes mineral dirt into fertile, living soil. This Handbook reflects that understanding of soil as more than an NPK sponge-an organism-as revealed in the work of Dr. Elaine Ingham and many organic farmers and researchers. The farmer, for better or worse, consciously or unawares, influences the balance between bacteria and fungi, acid and alkali, air and water, between each of many minerals and between minerals and organic matter. Soil's health shows up in signs the farmer can either read or test for. As Gilman's book explains, soil responds readily to well-planned, well-timed tillage, cover cropping/resting and feeding.  Second of the series of handbooks on organic principles and practices published by NOFA, by Steve Gilman, 2001.  66 pp.