Soil Information Program

Soil horizons formed from the parent material beneath (credit: Soil Science Society of America https://www.soils.org/education).

Learn about soils in Virginia and from around the world. Most information is offered through webinars and web sites, on-site training and liaisons with agencies and professional groups.

The soil information program transfers information about soils to the public in a way that is interesting, informative, and useful for understanding our environment and making wise land-use decisions. Subject areas include soil formation, soil types, soil properties, fertility, soil survey, amendments, health, reclamation, surface hydrology and geology.

The soil information program is offered through Virginia Cooperative Extension, an educational outreach partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.

Date	Topic
12/17/2014	The fascinating things about soils in Virginia
1/12/2015	Common soil types in different regions of Virginia - Introductory
1/13/2015	Physical weathering and soil formation - Intermediate
1/14/2015	Physical weathering - Advanced
2/10/2015	Chemical weathering of soils and parent materials - Intermediate
2/12/2015	Chemical weathering of soils and parent materials - Advanced
2/19/2015	Basic geology and related parent materials - Introductory
4/13/2015	Soil colors and what they mean - Introductory
4/14/2015	Geomorphology (landforms) of Virginia - Intermediate
5/28/2015	Soil structure and its importance - Introductory Presentation slides with notes
5/29/2015	Organic matter types - Intermediate Presentation slides with notes

Where can I get a general soils map of Virginia?

There is a general soils map posted at: http://virginiaview.cnre.vt.edu/digital_atlas.html#component

For a more detailed, GIS version of a general soils map, contact me.

Where can I find a simple basic soils book?

There are few that are both simple and inexpensive. Soils are so variable in space and time and interconnected with so many other layers and processes, it is hard to keep it very simple and provide meaningful information.

The easiest to read is Soil Science Simplified Paperback – December 1, 1994
by Helmut Kohnke and D. P. Franzmeier. ISBN-13: 978-0881338133 ISBN-10: 0881338133 Edition: 4th. A fifth edition is in progress.
A more detailed version is: The Soul of Soil: A Soil-Building Guide for Master Gardeners and Farmers, 4th Edition Paperback – 1999 by Joseph Smillie and Grace Gershuny. ISBN-13: 978-1890132316 ISBN-10: 1890132314 Edition: Revised and updated fourth edition.
A more detailed (and expensive) book is Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils (2nd Edition) Hardcover – May 16, 2003 by Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil. ISBN-13: 978-0130480385 ISBN-10: 013048038X Edition: 2nd or 3rd.