For the Japanese guests who visited Prairie Moon on June 29, Douglas County Extension Agent Jennifer Smith gave a great presentation on soils and water.
Using an apple as an analogy for the earth, Jennifer addressed how little soil there is on the planet that is suitable for growing food. She cut up an apple, representing different parts of the earth. One thin apple sliver represents the soils where food can be produced. Capability Class #1 soils equal 2.8% of all the soils in Douglas County; Capability Class #2 soils equal 8.2%, for a total of 11%, which can be grown on, with no limitation. Capability Class #3 through #8 represent increasingly limited capabilities.
The soils of the grounds of the Prairie Moon Waldorf School are Capability Class #1–among the most precious 3%. The top soil of the Class #1 soils around Prairie Moon is said to measure up to 90”. Jennifer Smith easily pushed a coring tool into the ground, drawing up a plug of top soil which far exceeded the measurement of the tool.
One gallon of water represents all the water on earth. One-half to one cup of water out of the gallon represents all the fresh water on earth. The rest of the water is salt water. Only one drop of that cup is available for use; the rest of the cup is deep groundwater or in the soil and air. With only the one drop, there is an urgent need to protect it and keep it pure. No new water is being formed or made–it cycles over and over.
