How does soil in its native condition function? How do forests and native grasslands produce plants and animals in the complete absence of fertilizer and tillage? What are the principles by which these soils function? The answers to these questions assure that the soil will be productive and profitable now and for future generations. A good thing happens when the soil's natural productivity is managed in a sustainable way; the reliance on purchased inputs declines, while land value and income generation increases year by year. Some of the things we spend money on can be done by the natural process itself for little or nothing. It's an upward spiral of continued success. To understand this better, let's start with the basics.