The prestigious General Jeffery Soil Health Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others.


The award honours and perpetuates the memory of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, the late Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).


It is funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust.


Landcare Australia administers the award on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).


The $20,000 award will provide invaluable support to the winner to help extend their work in soil health.


Previous award winners and notable figures in the world of soil health and science, Dr Oliver Knox and Emerita Professor Dr Lynnette Abbot have confirmed they will be part of the specialist advisory panel to select the winner of the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.


The 2022 winner was leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, of ‘Soil your Undies’ fame Dr Oliver Knox.


“We all have a responsibility to our soils and our soil health and the more we all do, the more likely we are to see a fantastic future for Australia’s soils,” he said.


The two previous award winners have teamed up to encourage nominations for the influential General Jeffrey Soil Health Award.


Dr Knox was succinct in describing what he was hoping to see from the next round of nominations.


“Passion, drive and impact. Soil is full of surprises, so I’m hoping to learn from all of the nominations and expect to feel disappointed there can be only one winner,” he said.


“It’s exciting and all that is needed now is for some nominations, so that are you waiting for? Nominate your soil’s guru.”


Leading soil scientist Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott and winner of the inaugural prize in 2020, is encouraging soil science experts across Australia to nominate colleagues for the prestigious national award.


“It is a very valuable process for highlighting the contributions that others are making to soil health in their various ways. There are many approaches,” she said.


“I think it is a good award – it is different to many other awards, unique in its focus on soil health of course.”


As Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, General Jeffery passionately advocated for improvements in the health of our agricultural landscape.


By championing soil health from Parliament House to the paddock, he successfully changed attitudes towards soil sustainability and energised change on farms right across Australia.


He relentlessly pursued his focus on the importance of integrated management of soil, water, animals and plants to the benefit of all Australians and our environment.


“I was fortunate to meet Major General Michael Jeffery on some of his visits to Perth. He was inspirational and passionate about the importance of focusing on landscape issues related to soil, in addition to soil itself, including how vegetation, grazing and water cycles are integral to overall management of agricultural lands to ensure soils are healthy and protected,” Dr Abbott said.


In effort to bring soil health to the forefront of critical biodiversity and environmental conversations, Landcare Australia has for the first time opened the eligibility criteria to include voluntary environmental groups and organisations who are actively involved in activities to protect and improve soil health.


Nominations for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award close on March 31 and the winner will receive a trophy and a $20,000 (ex GST) for an agreed soil project.


The winner will be announced at the 2025 National Landcare Awards gala dinner hosted as part of the 2025 National Landcare Conference on the Gold Coast.