Healthy soil is foundational to all terrestrial life and a vibrant and healthy soil ecology results in abundant food production. However, conventional agricultural practices overemphasize the use of synthetic fertilizers to boost crop yields which inadvertently cause waterway pollution, increased air pollution, soil acidification and destruction of the soil food web.  Without life in the soil and natural enzymatic processes to vitalize plant growth and accelerate mineral weathering, plant life is left more susceptible to pests and diseases and the soil becomes infertile.  Compost can inoculate soil with beneficial microbial life, though the process can take time when unaided.