From the University of Florida IFAS:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is offering workshops at various research and education centers to celebrate the 2015 International Year of Soils. The workshops, aimed primarily toward high school agriscience and science teachers, are free and open to the public.
“The workshops are for any teacher who wants to incorporate more soil-based information into his or her lessons,” said Libbie Johnson, agriculture agent at Escambia County Extension. Researchers will discuss soil texture, how soils protect the environment, water retention and movement, Johnson said.
Workshops will be held:
• July 20 at Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2685 SR 29 North, Immokalee, Florida 34142. 239-658-3400. Register at http://eventbright.com/event/16767084802
• July 28 at Range Cattle Research and Education Center, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, Florida, 33865. 863-735-1314. Register at http://eventbright.com/event/16658529109
Participants can register online, or call the REC location listed above. In-service credit for professional development are awarded by the school districts through Master Inservice Plan. Certificates of attendance will be provided.
Events were held at five other RECS earlier this summer and around the world at other sites. Researchers hope to convey the important role that soil plays in everyday life, Johnson said.
“Soil is living, so there are a lot of organisms in soil that are useful to our health,” she said. “We want participants to walk away with information that they can share with students, but also to convey that humanity’s wellbeing is tied to soil and we need to protect it.”