Minerals and trace elements are extremely important to the growth, health and productivity of the soil as well as the plants grown in the soil. By most research, there are about 70-80 minerals and trace elements that are critical to the full development and health of most plants and crops. Many people in agriculture realize that without replacing the minerals and elements taken up by the crops, yields begin to decrease, nutrition content drops and pest and disease resilience is lower over time. Studies have shown this for the past 30 years stating the nutritional content in many vegetables have decreased as compared to those of the past. Using a biological and organic methods of growing helps, as the manure based compost has several of these mineral and elements, but not nearly enough. Self-sustainable, old time farming had many manure inputs to the compost pile, from different ruminants that contributed microbiological activity to non-ruminants that added finely chopped organic matter. These were better, but still did not address all of the minerals and elements needed for healthy soils.
Two sources are readily available and usable to restore minerals to the soil. One is sea minerals, the other is volcanic rock dust.
There should be policy to require soil used for commercial farming to meet minimum standards for broad spectrum mineral content. We should not allow commercial farming on mineral-depleted soil, which enables nutritionally-depleted crops.