1. Surface consisting of a mixture of decomposed matter
What is
Soil?
The part of the earth's
Surface consisting of a mixture of decomposed matter
and broken down rock.

2. Lets start out with a brain teaser about the Earth’s soil
Lets start out with a brain teaser about the Earth’s soil. Lets see if you know the answer. Watch the following clip and take your best shot. The answer will come at the end of this presentation!

4. Before we get to the answer, Lets take a look at this top layer
Before we get to the answer, Lets take a look at this top layer. We call it top soil!

5. Top Soil The rich organic layer of dirt from which
plants get the nutrients they need.

6. Lets take a look at the 3 main
What is topsoil made of?
Lets take a look at the 3 main
components.
Sand
Silt
and Clay

7. This type has the biggest particles
It is granular and consists of rock and mineral particles that are small.
Notice the color of
sand in this picture
Sand

8. Silty soil is considered to be one of the most fertile of soils.
Very Small
particle size
Silt
Silt
Notice the color of
silt in this picture
Fine Grained

9. Clay is generally considered to be smaller grained than silt.
Clay is relatively
Impermeable to water.
Particles of
clay are
dense.
Clay
Tightly
packed together
Very Fine Grained

10. Good farming soil is generally a combination of all 3 types of soil.

11. Top soil generally accounts for the top 2 to 3 feet of soil on Earth!
Consider the Following:
Top soil generally accounts for the top 2 to 3 feet of soil on Earth!
So, what percentage
of land do we depend
on for the world’s
food supply?
Lets find out!

12. Were You Correct?

13. That means that top soil has a
huge responsibility. We’ve got
to make sure we take care of it!