2015 is the International Year of Soils

2015 has been named the International Year of Soils. Several organizations around the world are joining the celebration to raise awareness and promote the sustainability of our limited soil resources. We all have a valuable role in communicating vital information on soils, a life sustaining natural resource. Here you will find a number of resources to help your students learn about soils.

Grades K-2:
I Heart Soil Coloring and Activity Pages
Read "Diary of a Worm" (Video Version) -
& Lesson Plan
Make Soil Crayons
Classifying Soils by Feel and Texture

Read "A Handful of Dirt" 

Edible Soil Layer Activity

Grades 3-5:

A Soil Profile

Soil Erosion Demonstration

Particle Size Demonstration

Caring for the Land - Soil Management

Soil Air Demonstration

Keeping Soil in its Place - Erosion

Perking Through the Pores - Water Holding Capacity

The Farmer Cares for the Land - Environmental Impact

The Soil Chain - Relationships between soil and common objects

Have older students check out the NRCS Soil Health Awareness web site. The resources on this site are designed to help visitors understand the basics and benefits of soil health-and to learn about Soil Health Management Systems from farmers who are using those systems.

To celebrate the International Year of Soils, the Soil Science Society also produced several 2-3 minute educational videos:

January: Soils Sustain Life

February: Soils Support Urban Life

March: Soils Support Agriculture

April: Soils Clean and Capture Water

Writing prompts could be given to students on each resource and video.

For additional resources on soil science for all grade levels, check out our International Year of Soils resource page. 

Celebrate Agriculture in the Classroom on National Ag Day - March 18

With our recent weather, it is hard to imagine that we will be welcoming spring in about two weeks. Farmers are itching to get out in their fields to start preparing the land for this year's crops, and we want to celebrate their efforts in providing food for our tables.

Wednesday, March 18, is National Ag Day, and we want to encourage you to plan a classroom activity that helps students understand how food and fiber products are produced and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

Here are a few suggestions:

K-3: Read a book that accurately portrays agriculture 

Each year, the American Farm Bureau Foundation selects an agriculture book for volunteers to read in classrooms across the country on Ag Day. Teaching plans and additional resources are available.

This year's book is The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara. In this playful and humorous story, the students learn a lot about apples and apple orchards-including how apples are harvested, how cider is made, and what the different varieties of apples are-while trying to solve a riddle. Purchase the book from AFBF if it is not available in your library. An educator's guide aligned to Common Core Standards is also available for purchase.

Kentucky Connection - After reading the book, teachers may then show their students this Kentucky Farms Feed Me video about an apple orchard in Kentucky. A teacher's guide and student worksheets are available for printing free of charge.

We have additional book suggestions on our Pinterest page for various ages and reading levels.

Holiday Farm Fun in the Classroom

We have been searching the internet for a number of resources and facts that tie together agriculture and Christmas. Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for all of our favorites. 

Christmas Tree Fun Facts