The high-level national conference dedicated to the International Year of Soils 2015 was a critical opportunity to capture the attention of experts, decision makers, representatives of the scientific and research community, and society at large to expand our understanding of the importance of soils, the need for quantitative and qualitative protection of soil, the environmental functions of soil, alternatives to fertilizing, the relationship between tillage and soil fertility, and the role of soils in ensuring not only food security but also food safety.