A hydroponic growing system, in which plants are grown in an artificially controlled environment without soil, offers several distinct advantages over a soil-based growing environment. Hydroponic plants grow fast and abundantly, and hydroponic systems make efficient use of resources. Hydroponic systems require specialized skills and significant financial investment on the part of the grower, however. So a place for traditional, soil-based agricultural operations will always exist.

Soil sustains life. Soil is the source of essentially everything. For example, wool may come from sheep and pencils from trees, but what these two have in common are that they both rely on plants that grow in the soil for their nourishment.
Soil allows food to grow and ultimately, feed the world. Without soil, plants would not have the essential nutrients they need to grow and prosper. Likewise, soil is known as an “anchorage” – allowing the root systems to extend downward through the soil and in turn stabilize plants so that they can grow efficiently.