MICHIGANS STATE SOIL~~~KALKASKA SAND Why and How? A selection process for picking the State Soil from over 400 other Soil Series was
started in the 1970's. The Kalkaska Sand was selected in 1983 as Michigans State
Soil (image below).
The Kalkaska sand was also picked for its complexity and fragility. Although this soil does well when it supports woodland, it fails as a good site for septic systems (too permeable) or as farmland (droughtiness). On July 18th, 1991 over 150 conservation, government and environmental leaders celebrated the designation of Kalkaska Sand as the State Soil. The official site was in (where else?) Kalkaska County. The ceremony served as the starting point for a continuing educational process about soils in Michigan. This process will assure that the population and particularly our children will be aware of the diversity, fragility and importance of soil in our lives. This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission. One copy may be printed for personal use. Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions. |