Asher emphasises how The Soil Book teaches earth science in ways that nurture a sense of working together to discover solutions in the soil – without always having to have all the answers. He wants kids to go from looking down at the ground in wonder to growing up to run city councils that value biodiversity. “Children are the future, yah?” he says.
From rhymes and storytelling of “slippery, spinny spidey nemotodes” to illustrations of mycelium and mushrooms and colouring sections with protozoa and rhizome, The Soil Book is a real-life adventure for kids and adults alike. The soil kit teems with activities from an interactive board game to cards, science photos, soil tests, and teacher’s references.
The book engages every learning style just as nature does, for a true and tactile depth of experiential wisdom rooted in childlike learning.
Asher’s own childlike instinct comes through when asked to be the voice of the soil by Regen Ray. Regen Ray asks him, “If you were to become the soil and embody the energy of our soil and you could give it a voice, what would you tell us all here on Earth?”
Asher happily plays the voice of soil: “I’d say be very humble like me, the soil, where I just let – let it all in, and let it all sort itself out. You know, let’s encourage some biodiversity. Let’s rethink the universe that we live in. Let’s rethink life and empty our minds so that we can let them fill up again with some concepts that might ensure that we’ve got a healthy planet to live on in the future. So, yeah, stay curious. Stay humble. Keep on learning. Keep on digesting. Just like I do, the soil.”
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2022-03-14 22:43:27
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.