Consider this:
From a 1960 National Soil Stewardship Brochure:
It lies as far as the eye can see. It covers millions on millions of acres around the globe, yet it is a rare thing and cannot be replaced.
This soil is a living thing. Yet it can be destroyed.
This soil is a fruitful thing. Yet it can become sterile.
This soil is God’s gift to mankind, given unto our stewardship. Yet it can be despoiled and wasted.
The soil produces crops and verdant grass and trees. It cannot be duplicated by chemistry or physics.
This soil is an intricate house of myriad elements. Yet it is so commonplace as to be known as dirt.
It fills the flower pot in Manhattan, serves as a garden in Minnesota, and produces an orchard in California---this thing called soil.
It is the spectacle of the Grand Canyon, the flatness of the Plains, and the rolling convolutions of the Shenandoah Valley---this thing called soil.
It is the source of our nourishment; it provides the means of our protection.
God has willed we can live with it; we cannot live without it.
Consider this soil. Consider it well.
National Soil Stewardship Week has been celebrated every year for 60 years through the National Association of Conservation Districts.  NACD is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state association and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Each year conservation districts across the nation distribute material to churches and schools as educational material helping people understand the need for effective conservation practices and stewardship of our natural resources. And each year the theme is different. This year’s theme is Local Heroes, Your Hardworking Pollinators.   
True or False: Beetles are messy eaters? True! In fact, beetles have been nicknamed the “mess and soil pollinators!
True or False: Humming birds weigh the same as a small dog?  False! Hummingbirds weigh about the same as a penny.
This is a small example of a learning activity for younger students. The Barton County Conservation district will have K-8 teacher guides available.
A spiritual message comes comparing us to nature’s pollinators carrying God’s message from flower to metaphoric flower helping spread the word of the gospel.  
National Soil Stewardship Week is April 26 to May 3. Honoring this beautiful world around us and celebrating the diverse wonderment of all that springs forth from the soil is beautifully done in teachers and pastors guides, program inserts, litany pages, book marks and more. The material is free and will help develop sermons for pastors and teacher activities for students.
This is a reminder to all churches and schools to call the Barton County Conservation District at 620-792-3346 ext. 1334 to place your order. Because this is a nationwide celebration ordering is done yearly to insure that all requested material is available. For more information check out the official website at www.stewardshipweek.com. Then call us with your order.