A healthy soil is the basis for a healthy food chain. Emerald Acres, being an organic farm, does not use fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides, so the soil is clean and rich in bioversity. Furthermore, Annemarie is using advanced composting techniques. A lot of green waste is incorporated, including reeds from local dams that is otherwise discarded (see photo), and manure from their own cattle. The positive effects of composting are huge. Soil water management is improved. Biodiversity is greatly improved. Soil-borne diseases are suppressed. More organic matter is stored in the soil, which compensates for greenhouse gas emissions. In short, good composting brings fertility. Emerald Acres also sows trees and bushes in between the orchards, to prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss.