In 2023, the Wilkes County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Wilkes County, North Carolina, used funds from the Friends of NACD District Grants Program to support the expansion and mobilization of their wide-reaching conservation education program. The Mobile Soils Classroom recently developed by the Wilkes County SWCD is a one-of-a-kind classroom on wheels that is more than just a place to learn—it’s an immersive “underground” experience that ignites curiosity and appreciation for this vital resource. Stepping inside the Mobile Soils Classroom is like stepping into a new world. Interactive displays and captivating artwork bring the properties of soil to life, transforming a seemingly simple substance into a captivating subject. Wilkes County SWCD will use the Mobile Soils Classroom to enhance and expand the learning experiences of the 10,000+ students that it reaches across 12 counties.

“The Mobile Soils Classroom will be a great teaching tool for all ages. Three-dimensional, larger than life visual aids will help to bring excitement into learning about our natural environment, especially for blind or low vision people,” said Rick McSwain, Western Regional Coordinator for the Division of Soil & Water Conservation Districts with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. “The mobility of the classroom will make it easily transportable for the Wilkes County SWCD to use in their educational programs such as field days, Envirothon events, and other festivals. It will also be available to other soil and water conservation districts in North Carolina for their programs.”

The classroom is housed in a custom 28-foot gooseneck trailer with artwork carved, molded, and painted by artist David Williams of WinginItWorks. Materials are durable and designed to be interactive for participants.

Through Wilkes County SWCD’s innovative soil education program, students of all ages (with a focus on K-12) will have the opportunity to embark on a journey of discovery, learning about:

• The Building Blocks of Soil: Discover the three main components – sand, silt, and clay – that come together to form the foundation of soil.
• The Hidden Ecosystem: Explore the world beneath our feet, where a vibrant community of earthworms, insects, and microbes play a crucial role in soil health.
• Soil’s Superpowers: Uncover the amazing ways soil filters water, stores nutrients, and provides the essential foundation for plant growth – the very foundation of our food system!
• Protecting Our Precious Soil: Learn about the importance of soil conservation and discover how our daily choices can impact this vital resource.

To Wilkes County SWCD, the Mobile Soils Classroom is both an opportunity and a call to action. By fostering a deeper understanding of soil and its importance, future generations are empowered to become responsible stewards of the environment.

This initiative was made possible by the work of Wilkes County SWCD with support from partners, including local county Farm Bureaus, North Carolina Grange, Surry Yadkin Electric Co-Op, Friends of NACD, educational foundations and funding resources, and many others. Using the Mobile Soils Classroom, Wilkes County SWCD and collaborators look forward to sharing the wonders of soil science with communities across Wilkes County and the state of North Carolina.

The classroom demonstrates the power of collaboration. By combining scientific expertise, creative vision, and a commitment to environmental education, this program is making a positive impact on how people understand and appreciate the ground beneath our feet. For more information and to see the future impacts of the Mobile Soils Classroom, follow Wilkes County SWCD on Facebook and Instagram.

The Friends of NACD District Grants Program is a grassroots-funded program for conservation districts to conduct new activities or test novel approaches to their operations. Stay tuned for the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program opportunity to be released this fall. Learn more about current and past projects on the Friends of NACD website.

Consider becoming a member of Friend of NACD to help provide more grant opportunities like this to districts across the country!