Soil 

America’s vitality is rooted in the soil. Today, private landowners across the country are partnering with local conservation districts to conserve and improve soil.  

1935 during the Dust Bowl, a time of eroded topsoil and fierce dust storms prompted the beginning of soil conservation and local conservation districts. Since then, local conservation districts have been involved in implementing and educating producers on effective conservation practices. 

Contact your local conservation district to find a variety of financial and technical assistance for soil conservation.

History of Soil Conservation

Hugh Hammond Bennett served as the first chief of the Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and is known as "The Father of Soil Conservation."

Official State Soil 

According to USDA NRCS, each state in the United States has selected a state soil, twenty of which have been legislatively established.  The selected state soils have special significance to the particular state. These “Official State Soils” share the same level of distinction as official state flowers and birds. Also, representative soils have been selected for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Learn more about Harney, the state soil of Kansas.