The document discusses Hugh Hammond Bennett, the "father of soil conservation". It notes that he was the head of the Soil Erosion Service when it was formed in 1933 in response to the Dust Bowl. Bennett identified poor farming practices as the cause of the dust storms and formulated early plans for soil conservation. The Dust Bowl caused massive dust storms that buried farms, killed livestock, and harmed humans. Pictures show the erosion of fertile soil being transported away during that era.

2. “Too many people have
lost sight of the fact that
productive soil is
essential to the
production of food.”
“Take care of the land and
the land will take care of
you.…”
– Hugh Hammond Bennett
Hugh Hammond Bennett, the
father of soil conservation
He was the head of the Soil
Erosion Service when it was
formed in 1933 in response to
the Dust Bowl. Bennett was
one of the first people to identify
poor farming practices as the
cause of the dust storms, and to
formulate a plan for soil
conservation.

3. Dust buried farms and equipment,
killed livestock, and caused human
death and misery during the height of
the Dust Bowl years.
In: "Monthly Weather Review," June
1936, p.196. (NOAA Photo Library)

4. "Manhandled Land -
fertile soil goes off by
carload lots."
A common site during
the Dust Bowl. The
erosion in this picture
was more an effect of
poor farming practice
than drought, though. In:
"To Hold This Soil",
Russell Lord, 1938.
Miscellaneous
Publication No. 321,
U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
(NOAA Photo Library)

5. What is Soil Texture?

6. Why Does Soil Texture Matter?
Determines
soil pore
space
Soil
Texture
Determines
soil drainage
Determines
aeration
Influences nutrient
holding capacity
(CEC)
Affects soil
workability
HOW?

7. Soil Textural Triangle

8. Soil-less Media…
 Major Components
 Peat Moss
 Perlite
 Vermiculite
 Other Components
 Sand
 Bark
 Lime
 Wetting agents - hydrophilic polymer
 Fertilizer

9. Peat Moss Perlite Vermiculite
How Is It
Made?
- Partially decomposted
remains of plants/animals
(mostly sphagnum moss)
that accumulated in
oxygen-poor freshwater
- Environmental concerns
about habitat destruction
- Volcanic material
expanded to 13x its
original volume when
heated to 1700F (think
popcorn)
- Clay mineral exposed
to intense heat,
causing the clay layers
to expand into
accordion-shaped
granules
- Hydrated Al-Fe-Mg
silicates; very similar to
mica
What does
it do?
- Provides organic matter
for retention of nutrients
and water
- Large surface area
-Improves aeration &
drainage
- Forms macropores
- Acts as soil insulator
- Particles provide
space for water, air,
and nutrients
- Improves aeration &
drainage
Water
retention?
______________its weight _____________ its
weight
_________________
From
Where ?
Canada, Northern Europe
(Scotland!)
Open pit mining in many
countries
Mined in many
countries
Sterile? ___________ yes yes
pH? Very acidic 6.5 – 7.5 6.5 – 7.2

10. Digging Peat in Scotland

11. Perlite
Perlite Mine in New Mexico

12. Vermiculite
Mining Vermiculite in
South Africa

13. Soil-less Media:
Typical Commercial Mix
Typical Commercial Mix
 1/3 coarse peat moss
 1/3 perlite
 1/3 vermiculite
 3 lbs complete fertilizer (5-10-5)
 7 lbs dolomitic limestone
 Wetting agent

14. Soil-less Media:
An Organic Alternative
An Organic Alternative
 1/3 Peat Moss
 1/3 Perlite
 1/3 Vermiculite
 5 lbs composted manure
 1 lb bone meal
 1 lb green sand
 7 lbs dolomitic limestone

15. Soil-less Media:
Mix Without Peat Moss
 Replace peat moss 1:1, but
reduce limestone
 Coir or coconut husks in
potting mixes
 Composted, fine grade wood
shavings
 Or Try 1 part composted
green waste: 1 part coir