Resources

ABOUT SOILS

General Information

National Soil Survey Center -- Information sheets about soils
National Soil Survey Center -- Photo gallery of different soil profiles
National Soil Survey Center -- Gallery of state soils. Click on a state to see pictures and a description.

University Soil Departments

Soil Science Department at NC State
Soil Science Department at Clemson University

Professional Societies, Government and Research

Soil Science Society of America Journal
Soil Science Society of America
Soil Science Society of North Carolina
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service -- Soils page

Soil Survey Data for Specific Sites — Find out about the soils on your property!

National Soil Survey Center -- Web soil survey
National Soil Survey Center -- Soil data mart

Soil Links for Teachers

Webpages with a variety of resources:

Kid's World - Plant Nutrition
National Soil Survey Center -- Education links and resources*
Soil-net.com -- Educational webpage from the UK
Soil Science Society of America -- K-12 educational resources*
Discovery Education -- "The Dirt on Soil"
Soil Science Society of America -- Soil lessons and activities
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center -- Soils resource for students and teachers
Learn NC -- Lesson plans and soil-related links from the UNC School of Education
The Microbe Zoo -- Dirtland
Dr. Dirt’s educational webpage*

*Recommended link.

Individual Lesson Plans

Grade two lesson plan from CA -- Exploring soil
Introduction to soil
Grade 3-5 lesson plan from UT -- What’s In Soil?

Bibliographies

A Selective Bibliography for Grades K-8 from the Teaching Resources Center at UNCG

Soil in the News

Not all soils are alike:  Know what fertilizer you need, when and how much
Ethanol Production Could Jeopardize Soil Productivity
Norman Borlaug, Father of the "Green Revolution", dies
University of Arizona to join with Iraqi university on rebuilding agriculture
New X-raytechnique illuminates reactivity of environmental contaminants
Golf course putting greens show their age
Carbon trading needs to be transparent, lawmakers told
Tests ongoing for former gas station sites
Soil Carbon Sequestration in Africa:  Potentials and Pitfalls
Science Daily – Soil research news headlines
Dirt—just what the doctor ordered
Mars Lander Checking Soil Properties
Specially Designed Soils Could Help Combat Climate Change
Fighting Climate Change with Efficiency and Soil

ABOUT SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Information for Homeowners and Potential Home Buyers

SoilFacts: Septic System Owners Guide (2004)
SoilFacts: Why do Septic Systems Fail? (2005)
SoilFacts: Investigate Before You Invest (1997)
Links to information on septic systems from the NC DENR Onsite Water Protection Section

Septic System Components and Function

How septic systems work, from howstuffworks.com
SoilFacts: Septic Systems and Their Maintenance (2004)
Description of septic systems from West Virginia University Small Flows Program
Description of septic system components and function from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension -- Keep in mind that some aspects of GA septic regulation are slightly different from NC.

Locating a Certified Septic System Installer or Inspector in NC

Links to lists of NC certified septic system installers and inspectors by county or last name

NC DENR Onsite Water Protection (Regulates Septic Systems in NC)

Onsite Water Protection Section -- Home page

NC DENR Division of Water Quality (Regulates Land Application and Beneficial Reuse of Wastewater in NC)

Division of Water Quality Land Application Unit -- Home page

 

ABOUT SOILS AND AGRICULTURE

Fact Sheets for Gardeners, Farmers and Homeowners

SoilFacts: Careful Soil Sampling—The Key to Reliable Soil Test Information
SoilFacts: Modifying Soil for Plant Growth around Your Home (2009)
Home.A.Syst: Improving Lawn Care and Gardening in Coastal North Carolina (2004)
SoilFacts: Soil Acidity and Liming: Basic Information for Farmers and Gardeners (2003)
Home.A.Syst: Caring for Your Lawn and the Environment (2003)
SoilFacts: Nitrogen Management and Water Quality (1997)
SoilFacts: Good Soil Management Helps Protect Groundwater (1997)
SoilFacts: Managing Lawns and Gardens to Protect Water Quality (1997)
List of all NC State Soil Facts Publications

Organizations Concerned with Soil Conservation

Natural Resources Conservation Service
NC DENR Division of Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and Water Conservation Society

Commercial Links

Surveyors and Engineers

Alan B. Styles Land Surveying

Other Land Professionals

Vincent Properties - serving the real estate markets of Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Boone NC
John Speckmann Real Estate