Dig it!

The new Smithsonian exhibit about soil opens July 19.  I would love to see it.  I am very excited by the fact of how many school kids are going to see it.  When I was a TA for the soils department (sorry crop and soil sciences department), I had the unique opportunity to teach non-science majors the wonders of soil science laboratory.  Now most of you are thinking something about how exciting can dirt really be, and that's the first place to start!  It's not dirt!  One thing that I am proud of about teaching middle school is that all of my students knew the difference between dirt and soil.  Dirt is something you get on your shoes or in your eye, not the complex ecosystem that makes terrestrial life possible.  I love soil!  And if you would like to discuss it further I am happy to.