 Wednesday Farm News on the Red River Farm Network. Functioning soil is what Minnesota State Soil Health Specialist Stephanie McLean says is vital for crop production. When I go out and look at fields, I really like to look at whether or not that soil is functioning. Do we have infiltration on that soil? Do we have water-stable aggregates? Is that water able to soak into that soil where it lands? Or is it running across the surface of that field and sealing that surface up?