NRCS Employees Support Agricultural Literacy at Living Ag Classroom

By Chris Maestas, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist

BISMARCK, N.D., Feb. 10, 2026 -Employees with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in North Dakota joined agricultural partners from across the state to help educate nearly 900 students during the 2026 Living Ag Classroom, held Feb. 10-11 at the Bismarck Event Center.

Hosted by North Dakota State University Extension, the event provided students with hands-on learning opportunities focused on agriculture, natural resources and food production.

NRCS Soil Quality Specialist Susan Samson-Liebig, Physical Science Technician Justin Feld, and Urban Conservationist Casey Olson led interactive demonstrations designed to help students understand the importance of soil conservation.

"In the past, we featured an indoor soil tunnel - an interactive exhibit that gave viewers a worm's-eye view of soil functions," Samson-Liebig said. "This year, we introduced hands-on demonstrations showing how soil structure supports plant growth, protects water quality and reduces erosion."

Students examined soil cores to better understand what happens beneath the surface and participated in a slake test, illustrating how healthy soil holds together when exposed to water. The demonstrations simplified complex soil science concepts while reinforcing the role conservation plays in sustaining working lands.

NRCS was one of several organizations that participated in the Living Ag Classroom. Additional exhibitors included the North Dakota Corn Council, North Dakota Oilseed Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, NDSU Extension, Mandan FFA, Morton County Soil Conservation District, North Dakota Wheat Commission, North Dakota Beef Commission, North Dakota Honey Promotion, North Dakota Farm Bureau, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, New Salem FFA and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Together, the exhibits introduced students to crop production, livestock, pollination, conservation, farm safety and agricultural careers.

"Helping students understand where their food comes from - and the natural resources that make production possible - encourages stewardship from an early age," Samson-Liebig said.

The Living Ag Classroom began in Minot more than 30 years ago and reflected a shared commitment among agricultural partners to increase awareness of the industry that drives North Dakota's economy while preparing the next generation of producers, landowners and conservation leaders.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to help conserve soil, water, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources.

For more information about NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nd.nrcs.usda.gov.

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