Youth Soil Health Resources
Let’s make learning fun for all ages!
These top options are for the younger kids, but scroll down to see more advanced options for your teens.
Youth Ages 0-12
The Soil Quilt
The Soil Quilt teaches children about the importance of land stewardship.
Coloring Page
This coloring page highlights the underground life that makes soil healthy and the role soil plays in our food and our landscape.
Soil Poster
This informational poster highlights soil microbiology, the soil textural triangle, and the soil food web.
Mighty Mini Microbe’s Tale
This themed coloring book will encourage the next generation of farmers, scientists and conservationists to unlock the secrets in the soil.
S. K. Worm
S.K.Worm answers students questions about soil. Once it’s complete, you can earn a very special diploma.
SD Dicovery Center
The South Dakota Discovery Center offers learners in inquiry-based, hands-on exploration of watersheds and the world at large.
Youth 13-18
Soil Basics
This Soil Health Primer has four separate modules designed to teach the essentials of soil health and Includes ungraded quizzes to check your knowledge.
Cover Crops Poster
Cover crops are an essential part of healthy soil. This high-quality graphic is extremely detailed and scalable. It’s available for non-commercial use.
Soil Health Bucket
Interested in an educational tool containing 18 different accredited lesson plans and all the necessary equipment to perform accompanying experiments and activities? Look no further, the SD Soil Health Coalition provides educational “Soil Health Buckets” and lessons to vocational agriculture classrooms, soil science classrooms and additional youth groups.
Ag In the Classroom
With an integrated program approach, Ground Works/SD Ag in the Classroom uses teaching gardens, summer camps, and digital programs to deliver lessons in STEAM education, agricultural literacy, and student leadership. Ground Works/SD Ag in the Classroom seeks to invite all to the conversation to increase connections classrooms and communities in South Dakota
News & Events
FFA Regional Land Judging Winners Receive Scholarships
SD FFA Foundation Rapid City (October 2026) – The South Dakota FFA Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of five $100 scholarships for students placing first in one of the five South Dakota Regional Land Evaluation Competitions this fall. 2026 scholarship...
Growing sunflowers for soil health and stability
By Stan Wise For an agricultural operation to thrive, producers must sometimes look at the big picture and make decisions to benefit the long-term success of their farm or ranch. Changes made on a farm now might take years to realize their positive effects, but those...
Test grain for nitrates before using it as forage
By Stan Wise With the vast majority of South Dakota in a drought and experiencing high temperatures, grain producers are having to make some tough decisions about their crops. Will those grains produce enough yield to make harvesting them a financially viable option,...