The secret life beneath our feet

11th February 2025

Healthy soil is alive—but modern farming has disrupted its natural balance. At Goodwood, we’re working with Re-Genus to restore ancient soil ecosystems using fungi-enriched fertilizers and regenerative techniques. Early results are promising—could this be the future of farming?

  • Home Farm

  • Sustainability

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For many decades, those working the land have understood that healthy soil is the foundation of healthy crops. But only recently have we begun to grasp why: soil is alive. As Susan, Duchess of Richmond, once said, “Soil is the beginning of everything.” Whether in arable fields or woodlands, healthy soil supports resilient ecosystems, making crops and wildlife more adaptable to climate pressures and disease.

When soil is healthy, it teems with fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms that have evolved alongside plants and trees for millions of years. Now, a combination of incredible microscopy and DNA-based techniques have opened our eyes to just how complex and essential this microscopic ecosystem beneath our feet truly is. These microorganisms feed and nurture their plant and tree hosts, forming symbiotic relationships that sustain life.

Unfortunately, modern farming techniques have inadvertently disrupted these ancient bonds between plants and their tiny allies in the soil. Chemical fertilizers have enabled plants to get a ‘quick fix’ of nutrients, which stops them from continuing their reciprocal relationships. This causes the microbiome to die away and leaves the plant to fend for itself, starting a cycle of increasing chemical dependency and lack of resilience in crops.

A New Chapter for Goodwood's Soil

Although Goodwood’s Home Farm and forestry have been organic for many years, the estate is keen to make further advancements in overall soil health. As part of this commitment, we are trialling innovative methods to increase productivity and fertility.

The Goodwood Estate is now working with Re-Genus, a Natural Fertilizer Company, to improve soil health across our agriculture and forestry operations. Re-Genus helps customers boost crop returns, reduce losses to disease, and enhance their carbon and nature footprint by regenerating the biological layer of the soil. Current products used at Goodwood include fungi-enriched fertilizer pellets and seed coatings.

As early adopters of these regenerative methods, we are gathering data to support not only our own transition but also to help others adopt these low-carbon, soil-friendly techniques. Initial microscope analyses revealed that our untreated soils were severely lacking in life. However, early trial results are promising: soil treated with Re-Genus supplements is already showing improved health and vitality compared to control sites.

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Regenerating Goodwood’s Land—From Fields to Forests

The agricultural area of the estate is incorporating fungi-enriched fertilizer pellets into a trial field of herbal lay. Half of the field serves as a control, while the other half receives the pellets. Meanwhile, we are testing seed treatments for our arable crops, coating seeds with essential nutrients and minerals to boost germination and combat disease.

The Goodwood Forestry team is also applying these techniques in the more challenging areas of our rewilding project, where natural regeneration has been slow. While soil samples are being analysed, we’ve spread semi-composted wood mulch and added pellets to kick-start the nutrient cycle. The fungi’s fruiting bodies are already developing across this trial area, and we will soon replant trees and hand-spread seeds collected from the estate. Additionally, all seedlings grown at the Forestry yard this year will receive the natural fertilizer pellets to give them a strong start when planted out.

While these products and methods are new to Goodwood, early results are encouraging. If the trials prove successful, we plan to expand these regenerative practices across the estate. It’s still early in our journey, but restoring soil health is essential—not just for the future of Goodwood but for the health of our community, the food we produce, and the planet we all share.

  • Home Farm

  • Sustainability