Flint River SWCD Hosts Edible Soil Profile Lab at 4H20

The Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla, Georgia, hosted its 19th annual 4H2O event on June 16. More than 120 4-H students spent the day participating in hands-on activities that highlighted the critical role water plays in agriculture and the environment, as well as the importance of conserving this vital resource.

This year, Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District representatives, Abby Bodiford and Taylor Sinquefield, led an Edible Soil Profile Lab that brought soil science to life. Students explored each soil horizon—learning what they are made of, how they form, and the role they play in supporting healthy ecosystems. By building their own edible soil layers, students gained a tasty understanding of soil structure and its importance in conservation.

“What a fun way for students to understand the layers beneath their feet!” said one 4-H educator. “I loved watching them build—and eat—their way through the soil profile from bedrock to humus.”

The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District values educating future generations about natural resource stewardship and is proud to support this meaningful partnership between Mitchell County Extension/4-H and the University of Georgia’s Stripling Irrigation Research Park.