The article presents information concerning the function of organic matter in soil, natural factors affecting the content of organic matter in soils, environmental aspects and management of current problems in managing soil matter in agriculture. On the basis of author’s own research and review of subject literature the results of several years of experience on the dynamics of changes and quality of organic matter in soil have been presented. Results of indicators of the organic matter in agricultural soils indicate a wide variation of humus content (0.5-10%). The average content of this substance in our soils is 2.2% (Stuczyński et al., 2007). The aim of this article is to pay special attention to broadening the scope of research on organic matter in order to develop norms that may be necessary when developing prevention programs targeted at reducing the content of organic matter in soils, in light of the increasing acreage crops in monocultures and reducing the use of natural fertilizers in agriculture. It is also necessary to draw attention to a broader perception of soil fertility from the environmental perspective, especially in order for the increase of the humus content through various agro-technical actions not to worsen quality of water, of food and of feed.