This is a collection of soil truths, observations, and snapshots from around Sedgwick County.
Each of these individuals contributed a soil sample for Soil Stories.
Each of these individuals contributed a soil sample for Soil Stories.
Eddie Slaughter - recounted the story of his grandfather hauling soil to build Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
"From the river bank, they put [soil] in shovelfuls one at a time in wheelbarrows and wheeled it over to where the Stadium was. They got $2.50 a day for wheeling those big wheelbarrows full of dirt over there to the [Lawrence-Dumont] Stadium. It was back in the 30s, part of Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. Q: Did that make you attached to the Stadium? "Ya, it was history and my grandfather had a hand in building that history.” |
Krista Dahlinger, Kansas native plants, Mulvane, KS
Krista began planting annuals, but then had to replant each year. She observed plants growing wild and chose to start adding them to her yard over time. Seeking out KS wildflowers that grew well, she connected with the Kansas Native Plant Society. She feels she has modified a local spot with things that belong there - both plants and insects. She enjoys the cicadas, katydids, and fireflies in her garden. She describes her soil as "pretty friendly." |
Wichita Southeast High School FFA in Wichita, KS - students shared their thoughts on gardening and soil
"Soil is resilient because no matter what it goes through, it still makes a comeback every year when spring comes around." “I’ve learned that every year you want to plant something different. Planting different crops helps rotate the nutrition through the soil.” “[Gardening] makes you almost forget you’re at school. It makes school fun!” |
Hannah, a high school senior in Wichita, KS - offered these gems about soil
"Soil is a great way to know our place and know how to be more self-sustaining and we try to mimic nature." "I love to grow things. Gardening is very therapeutic." "When you’re a gardener, I think you communicate with your garden." |
John Albin, Cinagro Urban Farms in Maize, KS -
"I grew up out in Western KS in Quinter. My family farmed and my dad was a third generation farmer. We had 2000-3000 acres of milo. The first vehicle I drove was a tractor when I couldn’t even reach the pedals. First memory of my life was riding in the back of a combine with my dad." "Stewarding the land is stewarding community. We are all part of it." "I wanted as many people as possible to be able to participate in raising food. I had to make a scalable model... I bought 6.5 acres and ended up using less than a third of an acre to produce all that I wanted." |
David & Robin Anderson, One Feather Farm in Park City, KS - explained the wisdom held within in the seeds saved from the previous year's okra plants
“The mother plant knows the conditions of the soil” – so the seeds flourish The Andersons always attended the farmers' market. They were spending a lot of money at the market and began asking how they could spend less and get what they needed. That was the impetus for One Feather Farm. David had grown up around farming. His grandpa in Goessel grew 2.5 acres of irises. David and Robin began by raising chickens and selling eggs. In their second year of One Feather Farm they grew vegetables to expand their farmers' markets sales. |