USDA Fellows Classroom Lesson 1
Agriculture and Soil Health
Project Overview
Link to download pdf: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16osbGlBH2radH5TAi6Jk3jdjd3RQ_BKkd4fkbFDDzMY/edit?usp=sharing
- Lessons:
- Soil vs dirt
- what is sustainable agriculture
- Soil and the carbon cycle
- Plant physiology
- Soil degradation
- Projects:
- Rhizotron
- Soil texture
- Soil fertility kit
- Projects:
- Rhizotron
- Soil texture
- Soil fertility kit
Soil and Agriculture
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.41.07-AM.png)
Why is soil important for agriculture and for humans?
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.45.34-AM-1024x987.png)
Soil Particle Size
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.44.46-AM-1-1024x605.png)
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.49.02-AM-1024x664.png)
Soil Texture
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.48.52-AM-1024x999.png)
Soil Texture Activity
- Determine the soil texture of soils from the surrounding areas
- Each group will receive 1 jar of soil
- Label your team’s jar
- Observe the dry soil and make a hypothesis about the type of soil texture
- Add water and soap to mason jar
- Shake for 5 minutes and place in a safe place
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.50.47-AM-1024x867.png)
![](https://usdahsi.ucmerced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-10-at-11.51.43-AM-764x1024.png)
Next Time…
- Plant seeds in Rhizotron
- Create hypothesis
- Learn about sustainable agriculture
Lessons Developed with use of National Agriculture in the Classroom