The Lowdown Underground

Ready for the 'Soil Olympics'? In this episode of Lowdown Underground, Megan and Bailey welcome Paul Tietz (University of Idaho PhD student and soil judging coach) to talk about soil judging: regional contests, national contests, his recent trip to Nanjing, China for the International Soil Judging Contest alongside the World Congress of Soil Science. Paul breaks down how Team USA is selected, what it’s like to prep a team across the country on Zoom, and why competing internationally means learning not one, but two classification systems (US Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base), plus all the nitty-gritty details of competition scorecards. You'll learn Team USA stacked up on the world stage and how global soil judging is growing.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

YouTube link: (upload in progress)

Soil judging episode (Season 1, Episode 7): https://rss.com/podcasts/the-lowdown-underground/2102376

In classic fashion, Bailey and Megan sat down to do some podcast planning and instead talked about permafrost-affected soils for an hour. Lucky for you, the conversation and visual aids were all recorded. So join us as we talk about Megan's recent field work in Interior Alaska - charcoal, redox, and cryoturbation galore! We dig into the dynamics of permafrost in boreal (fire-influenced) systems and what age we think we'll hit our scientific peak.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

Video format (youtube): https://youtu.be/jjaoHjRjM4E

We’re back with a catch-up episode in our new virtual video format after a long hiatus and some big life changes! Megan shares her move from Minnesota to Alaska, finishing her PhD, and starting as a soil science professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks studying permafrost and her dream of creating a soil map for the massive state of Alaska. Bailey shares what he’s been up to in Extension and soil outreach - including building a soil-themed Art Shanty on a frozen lake in Minneapolis - plus an accidental TikTok “textural triangle” controversy.

What started as a catch-up became a conversation about how people actually connect with soils - through teaching, maps, social media, art, and field experiences. From Alaska permafrost to Minneapolis ice shanties, the common thread throughout this episode is helping people see and connect with the world beneath their feet.

Let’s dig in!

Our views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers.

Video format (youtube): https://youtu.be/z981Yq_oJ-o

It’s April 28 - Lester Loam’s legislative birthday - and yes, Minnesota has a state soil.

In this episode, Bailey and Megan get into how it took decades (and navigating some state-symbol politics… including a blueberry muffin and fossil) for Lester to finally make it official.

We dive into what makes this soil so iconic and the story it tells us, from the mix of prairie and forest features it contains.

Plus: some state soil trivia, a few soil series shout-outs, and a quick detour to Alaska’s not-quite-official state soil

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

Read more on the story of establishing Lester Loam as MN's state soil in 'A Tale of Dirty Legislation' by Gary Elsner, PSS, CPSS, CPSC.

Lester loam official series description: web link.

Easy to share, compiled information on Lester Loam State Soil can be found in this PDF.

Find more information on state soils of the United States at this link (NRCS) and this link (state symbols).

Join Bailey and Megan in this episode of Lowdown Underground as they sit around the campfire and dive into The Land Ethic philosophy, drawing insights from Aldo Leopold's influential book 'A Sand County Almanac.' Listen to stories, the interconnectedness of landscapes and human life, and how our actions shape the ecosystems around us. From personal anecdotes to thought-provoking passages, discover how viewing land as a community can transform our approach to conservation. Get ready for a mix of personal stories, reflections, and laughter as we explore the deep connections between soil, culture, and nature.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

'A Sand County Almanac' by Aldo Leopold: book link

Join Bailey and Megan in this episode of Lowdown Underground as they sit around the campfire and dive into The Land Ethic philosophy, drawing insights from Aldo Leopold's influential book 'A Sand County Almanac.' Listen to stories, the interconnectedness of landscapes and human life, and how our actions shape the ecosystems around us. From personal anecdotes to thought-provoking passages, discover how viewing land as a community can transform our approach to conservation. Get ready for a mix of personal stories, reflections, and laughter as we explore the deep connections between soil, culture, and nature.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

'A Sand County Almanac' by Aldo Leopold: book link

Join Bailey and Megan in this episode of Lowdown Underground as they sit around the campfire and dive into The Land Ethic philosophy, drawing insights from Aldo Leopold's influential book 'A Sand County Almanac.' Listen to stories, the interconnectedness of landscapes and human life, and how our actions shape the ecosystems around us. From personal anecdotes to thought-provoking passages, discover how viewing land as a community can transform our approach to conservation. Get ready for a mix of personal stories, reflections, and laughter as we explore the deep connections between soil, culture, and nature.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers)

'A Sand County Almanac' by Aldo Leopold: book link

Ready to dig into the college sport you may have never heard of? Join Megan and Bailey as they dive into the competitive world of soil judging with two recent University of Minnesota soil judgers, Amital Shaver and Anna Windels. This episode unearths the surprisingly thrilling practice of evaluating soil profiles and interpreting various soil characteristics to make better land use management decisions. From digging deep into the properties of soils to the fascinating bond formed in a team activity (how many people do you know that can get so excited about exploring holes underground?), learn what makes soil judging not just a science, but an art. Get set for the landscape journey through a soil judger's eyes and personal stories that will make you see the ground beneath you in a whole new light.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers.)

Catch up with the UMN soil judging team: link to the team blog, UMN page, and link to the team Instagram

Donate to UMN Soil Judging team here: Donation link. (Donations are greatly appreciated! 🤎)

Interested in joining the UMN soil judging team? Check out more information here.

In this episode, Megan takes Bailey north (way north) to explore adventures in soil and permafrost research across Alaska and Canada. Forget fishing trips - this is the real Alaskan experience: dodging clouds of mosquitoes, digging soil pits with bread knives, and polar bear 'drive-bys' (in helicopters). From collaborations with international researchers and partnerships with Alaska Native villages, Megan shares what it’s really like to do soil science in remote areas, from the Y-K Delta to the Hudson Bay Lowlands. You'll get the lowdown on Arctic field work and why you should care about frozen ground — even if it's not beneath your feet.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers.)

Check out Megan's best investment from The Original Bug Shirt Company - Link Here

Ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of our cities? In this episode, Megan and Bailey chat with Adam Devlin, a soil scientist mapping the soils beneath the Twin Cities. Join us as we dive into the NRCS Urban Soil Survey, explore the art and science of soil mapping, and uncover how we shape the ground beneath our cities. Plus, Adam gets personal about the unexpected end of his federal career and the lasting impact of public service.

Let’s dig in!

(Views are our own and do not reflect those of our employers.)

Check out Adam's podcast! 'Loam Town Folks' - Spotify link

Live in the Twin Cities area? Sign up for the NRCS Urban Soil Survey - Sign up link