Check Out Your
State Soil!

Antigo, Myakka, Bama, Sunnyside - just a few of our state soils - find out about your state soil today!

Soil Facts

Soil is living.

There are more than 70,000 types of soil in the United States.

One tablespoon of soil has more organisms in it than people on Earth.

The very best China dishes are made from soil.

It takes more than 500 years to form one inch of topsoil.

Nearly all antibiotics used to fight our infections are obtained from soil organisms.

In one gram of soil, there are over 5,000 different types of bacteria.

Educational Resources

Soils Sustain Life

Soil is the reservoir on which most life on earth depends, as the primary source of food, feed, forage, fiber, and pharmaceuticals.

Soil plays a vital role in sustaining human welfare and assuring future agricultural productivity and environmental stability. The study of soil as a science has provided us with a basic understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes essential to such a complex ecosystem.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a professional scientific society, made up of soil scientists, educators, and consultants focused on promoting soil science, including enhancing soils topics in schools. SSSA is pleased to provide teachers with these Soil Essentials:

• Lessons & Activities
• Resources
• Definitions
• Links

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