Dec 3, 2021

MDARD’s new ‘Fresh from the Field’ podcast marks World Soil Day

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is celebrating World Soil Day, which is Dec. 5, with a new “Fresh from the Field” Podcast featuring well-known soil scientist expert Karl Hausler.

World Soil Day was established 2002 to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well-being.

“One of Michigan’s most prevalent natural resources is our soil. Its health is critical to our growth and sustainability of the state’s food and agriculture industry which contributes $104.7 billion annually to the state’s economy,” Gary McDowell, MDARD director, said in a news release. “World Soil Day highlights the importance of soil to our daily lives, especially our state soil Kalkaska sand, which is a loamy soil and can be found in both the upper and lower peninsulas.”

Hausler holds a degree in Environmental Sciences with majors in Soil Science and Water Resource Management. He has spent over 10 years mapping soils in seven counties in Michigan throughout his career. Hausler worked at MDARD for 26 years in the Watershed Management and Drainage unit. He was also instrumental in selecting the state soil Kalkaska sand.

To listen to the podcast, visit https://bit.ly/MichiganStateSoil.

For more information on World Soil Day, visit https://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/campaign-materials/en/.