Example: Good management of soils ensures that mineral elements do not become deficient or toxic to plants, and that appropriate mineral elements enter the food chain. Soil management is important, both directly and indirectly, to crop productivity, environmental sustainability, and human health. Example: Soil management is the application of operations, practices, and treatments to protect soil and enhance its performance It includes soil conservation. Example: The goal of good soil management is to meet essential plant needs. Healthy plants need water, nutrients, oxygen, and a physical medium that allows seeds to germinate, shoots to emerge and grow up toward the sunlight, and roots to anchor the plant by growing strong and deep. Example: Soils that are properly managed for soil quality produce healthier, higher-yielding crops. Managing soil organic matter is extremely important because organic matter plays a role in almost all aspects of soil quality.