Montana State Soil
We are so thrilled with our students' experiences in working toward naming an official Montana stat soil. In addition to learning more about the legislative process, our kids are impacting our community by addressing the importance of soil in our great state.
While SB 176 gains traction in Helena, we are meeting some resistance from lawmakers. The general sense from those declining to support us is that soil is a trivial topic. Our position is that, in addition to this being a valuable learning process for our kids, soil is so significant to our economy and environment that it should be recognized by the state. If you are so inclined, we would appreciate if our community reached out directly to lawmakers on our behalf, especially those on the Senate Agriculture Committee. |
Suggested Language
Dear Senator or Representative XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Please consider adding your support to SB 176: Designating the Scobey soil series as Montana’s official state soil.
Soil is perhaps the most elemental feature of the success of the state of Montana. It is through soil that we enjoy much of Montana’s natural treasures like the Big Sky’s clean air, crystal-clear clean water, abundant wildlife, and diverse vegetation.
Scobey soils are unique to the state, represent productive crop and rangelands of the northern plains, and are more extensive than any other non-irrigated cropland soil series. Scobey soils occur in the Golden Triangle and Hi-line areas, supporting Montana's agriculture industry that generates over $4.7 billion annually in services and products for the state's economy.
Far from trivial, by memorializing what other agencies have already identified as the most representative soil of the state, we can elevate Scobey soils to the level of state symbol. Legislatures in 21 other US states have designated a state soil to recognize the important role soil plays in their economies and environments.
Bozeman’s Longfellow School fourth graders are working with lawmakers to collect support for SB 176. They are collaborating with organizations like Montana Farm Bureau, Montana State University, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and more. US Senator Tester and US Senator Daines have expressed their full support of this effort. Additionally, the fourth graders wrote letters to schools in all 56 of Montana’s counties to inform other schoolchildren about the importance of soil to our economy and environment.
We request you support our students and this bill to recognize Scobey soils as Montana’s state symbol. Please see the website MontanaSoil.weebly.com for more information about these students and their work.
Sincerely,Your Name
Your address/contact information
Please consider adding your support to SB 176: Designating the Scobey soil series as Montana’s official state soil.
Soil is perhaps the most elemental feature of the success of the state of Montana. It is through soil that we enjoy much of Montana’s natural treasures like the Big Sky’s clean air, crystal-clear clean water, abundant wildlife, and diverse vegetation.
Scobey soils are unique to the state, represent productive crop and rangelands of the northern plains, and are more extensive than any other non-irrigated cropland soil series. Scobey soils occur in the Golden Triangle and Hi-line areas, supporting Montana's agriculture industry that generates over $4.7 billion annually in services and products for the state's economy.
Far from trivial, by memorializing what other agencies have already identified as the most representative soil of the state, we can elevate Scobey soils to the level of state symbol. Legislatures in 21 other US states have designated a state soil to recognize the important role soil plays in their economies and environments.
Bozeman’s Longfellow School fourth graders are working with lawmakers to collect support for SB 176. They are collaborating with organizations like Montana Farm Bureau, Montana State University, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and more. US Senator Tester and US Senator Daines have expressed their full support of this effort. Additionally, the fourth graders wrote letters to schools in all 56 of Montana’s counties to inform other schoolchildren about the importance of soil to our economy and environment.
We request you support our students and this bill to recognize Scobey soils as Montana’s state symbol. Please see the website MontanaSoil.weebly.com for more information about these students and their work.
Sincerely,Your Name
Your address/contact information
Longfellow Fourth Graders