Three Soil Quality Demonstrations for Educating Extension Clientele

Authors

James J. Hoorman, Ohio State University ExtensionFollow

Volume

52

Issue

4

DOI

10.34068/joe.52.04.01

Abstract

There is a renewed interest in educating youth, Master Gardeners, and agricultural producers about soil quality. Three soil demonstrations show how soil organic matter increases water holding capacity, improves soil structure, and increases nutrient retention. Exercise one uses clay bricks and sponges to represent mineral soils and soil organic matter and how soil water is retained. Exercise two demonstrates how soil organic matter cushions the soil to resist soil compaction and improves soil structure. Exercise three uses marbles to represent how soil nutrients are retained by soil organic matter. These demonstrations are useful within a classroom or as field exercises.

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Recommended Citation

Hoorman, J. J. (2014). Three Soil Quality Demonstrations for Educating Extension Clientele. The Journal of Extension, 52(4), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.52.04.01