Marker Monday: Holdrege Silt Loam – The Nebraska State Soil

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight moments and places in our state’s past. Today we turn our gaze down in order to appreciate the 1.8 million acres of our state soil.

Location

2701 Burlington St, Nebraska Prairie Museum, Holdrege, Phelps County, Nebraska

Marker Text

Soils in the Holdrege series are recognized by features of their “profile” created by horizontal layers that are the result of the prairie environment. Holdrege soils exist on 1.8 million acres of landscape in central Nebraska that is the result of geologic processes operating over tens of thousands of years. The soils formed under mixed grasses, in a climate where moisture stress is common, but where enough movement of water through the profile has resulted in downward movement of clays and lime. These processes have led to a soil with thick, dark-colored topsoil, clay-enriched subsoil, and a substratum that contains free lime.

Holdrege soils were initially found during the soil survey of Phelps County in 1917. Their natural fertility, desirable tilth, and the landscape on which they exist join with irrigation and skillful farm management to provide a valuable agricultural resource. The legislature designated Holdrege Silt Loam as the Nebraska State Soil in 1979. This is a soil of which Nebraskans can be proud and one that we should conserve because it must sustain our agriculture for generations to come.

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History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
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