Ipswich middle school students partook in an interactive presentation on Thursday, May 5 at the Ipswich Public School Theatre with Soil Health Specialist Jim Clendenin.

Jim shared with the 85 students his wealth of knowledge on soil structure, and the five basic soil health principles.

The hour-long presentation focused on the importance of crop residue cover, benefits of low soil disturbance, the impact of living roots, diversity, and cropland livestock integration. Students assisted in demonstrations to show how tilled and non-tilled soils react to rainfall, their ability to decompose materials, and aggregate stability and compaction.

Jim works for the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and spends his time presenting at producer workshops and events as well as schools.

The presentation was sponsored by the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and the Edmunds County Conservation District.