From the Ground Down U N I T E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E

1

FROM THE 

GROUND 

DOWN

An Introduction to Iowa Soil Surveys

N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S C O N S E R V A T I O N S E R V I C E
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Soil Horizons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How Soil Develops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

General Soil Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Soil Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Using Soil Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Locating Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Helping People Help the Land

in Iowa

GROUND 

DOWN

FROM THE
From the Ground Down 3

Like snowfl akes, no two soils are exactly the 

same. Each diff erent kind of soil is called a series. Th ese soil 

series are named for towns or local landmarks. For example, 

Clarion soils are named for the town of the same name located 

in north-central Iowa. More than 10,000 soil series have been 

named and described in the United States, and more are defi ned 

each year. Th ere are about 479 soil series in Iowa.

Much of our life’s activities and pursuits are infl uenced by the 

soil beneath our houses, roads, sewage systems, airports, parks, 

recreational sites, farms, forests, schools and shopping centers. 

What is put on the land should be guided by the soil that is 

beneath it. A soil’s behavior, once known, is true for that type 

of soil no matter where the soil is located. Diff erent soils, with 

great diff erences in properties, can occur within the same subdivision or fi eld.

Th e mission of the Iowa Cooperative Soil Survey is to continue 

developing science-based soil system information, customized to 

meet users’ needs for natural resources management.

A soil survey has text, tables and soil maps that help land users identify the potentials and limitations of soils. Soil surveys 

are prepared by soil scientists, who recognize and record the 

Just a bunch 

of dirt?

You couldn’t be more wrong.
4 From the Ground Down

properties of the soil and predict 

soil behavior for a host of uses. 

These predictions, called soil 

interpretations, are developed 

to help users of soils manage the 

resource. Soil surveys of each 

Iowa county are available in 

three formats: as publications, 

on CDs, and online.

The publications represent a 

snapshot in time. They contain 

information that was current 

at the time of printing. But the 

text, tables and soil maps may 

have been updated since publication. The most current information about the soil survey 

program in Iowa is available at 

www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/soils.html. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also has 

several web sites devoted to the 

soil survey program on a national basis. The primary one is 

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.

gov/app/. 

To gather information for a soil 

survey, soil scientists walk the 

landscapes, dig holes with soil 

augers, shovels and probes, and 

examine cross-sections of soil 

profiles. They observe soil textures (the ratio of sand, silt and 

clay), soil color, structure and 

thickness of the different soil 

horizons. These and many other 

soil properties are studied in the 

field, while others are determined through laboratory tests. 

The intent of this publication is 

to acquaint users and potential 

users of soil survey reports with 

the content of those reports, and 

to help them extract useful soils 

data. To be proficient in using 

soil survey data, it is imperative 

that users have a basic understanding of the concepts of soil 

development and of soil-landscape relationships. These topics 

are covered briefly in the next 

two sections of this guide.

Photo: NRCS soil scientist Rick Bednarek 

(right) evaluates a soil probe drawn from 

a continuous no-till field in Adair County 

with former District Conservationist Marvin 

Lundstedt.
From the Ground Down 5

Soil Horizons

Soils develop in layers. Th ese layers, called horizons, can be seen where roads have been 

cut through hills and other areas where the soil is exposed. Th e presence and thickness of each horizon varies with location. Under disturbed conditions, such as intensive agriculture, building sites, or where there is 

severe erosion, some horizons may not be present. Th e photos on Page 6 are profi les of Iowa soils with visible 

horizons labeled.

O Horizon

O horizons are present in soils 

that have signifi cant amounts of 

decomposed plant and animal 

materials at the soil surface. Th e 

layer is black in color, and is most 

commonly present in shallow, 

depressional areas of north-central 

Iowa. Because of the high levels of 

organic content, O horizons feel 

much lighter than mineral horizons.

A Horizon

All soils have an A horizon. It is 

the layer of mineral soil at the soil 

surface or immediately below the 

O horizon. Commonly referred to 

as topsoil, the A horizon is typically 

darker and more fertile than lower 

horizons.

E Horizon

Soils in eastern Iowa that formed 

under forest vegetation commonly have a subsurface layer 

called an E horizon. Soil in the E 

horizon is silty and light colored. 

As water moves through this 

horizon, soluble minerals, such as 

iron, are leached to lower horizons. Th is horizon will usually 

have less clay than the horizons 

above and below.

B Horizon

Most soils have a B horizon, 

where soil development has taken

place since the original soil parent 

material was formed. B horizons 

are lighter colored than the organically enriched A and O horizons 

and have developed good soil 

structure. Th e B horizon typically 

has more clay and diff erent soil pH 

than the layers directly above and 

below.

C Horizon

Th e C horizon is the undeveloped 

material from which the soil is 

formed. It is also called soil parent material. Common parent 

materials in Iowa include glacial 

till, which is the material left by 

glaciers that passed through the 

state tens of thousands of years ago; 

wind blown material called loess; 

and water deposited material from 

fl ooding events called alluvium. 

Th e C horizon is usually deep in 

the soil profi le, but can also be 

near the soil surface where soils 

have not been able to develop, such 

as on the Missouri or Mississippi 

River bluff s.

R Horizon

Th e lowest horizon, R horizon, is 

bedrock. In Iowa, this horizon is 

typically very deep. However, there 

are areas in northeast Iowa where 

the bedrock plateau was so high that 

the glaciers could not pass over the 

bedrock, and in central Iowa where 

bedrock is exposed due to geologic 

erosion.

R HORIZON

(BEDROCK)

E HORIZON

(SUBSURFACE LAYER)

C HORIZON

(PARENT MATERIAL)

B HORIZON

(SUBSOIL)

A HORIZON

(TOPSOIL)

O HORIZON

(ORGANIC LAYER)
6 From the Ground Down

Iowa Soil Horizons

A. Colo soil is found in bottomlands throughout Iowa. The 

topsoil (A Horizon) is one meter or more thick due to the 

low lying landscape position.

B. Sperry soil is found in southern Iowa. The subsurface 

layer (E Horizon) in this model has been stripped of 

organic coatings through frequent wetting and drying, 

and appears bleached.

C. Clarion soil occurs in north-central Iowa. Soils in this 

region of the state were formed from glacial deposits 

where stones and rocks are common in the parent material (C Horizon).

D. Tama soil occurs in eastern Iowa and has been designated as Iowa’s State Soil. It formed under prairie vegetation 

that resulted in a thick topsoil (A Horizon) and a welldeveloped subsoil (B Horizon). The parent material (C 

Horizon) has wind deposited sediments, called loess.

E. Racine soil occurs in northeast Iowa. It formed under 

oak-savannah vegetation. The parent material (C Horizon) was the result of signifi cant geologic erosion.

F. Allamakee soil formed in eastern Iowa under forest 

vegetation. The surface layer (A Horizon) is much thinner 

in forested soils than in prairie soils. Most of the organic 

matter is stored in trees, as opposed to being stored in 

many fi ne roots of grasses.

A. Colo B. Sperry C. Clarion D. Tama

E. Racine F. Allamakee
From the Ground Down 7

Th e three boxes in the diagram 

represent either a soil in the 

same spot at diff erent times in 

history or a soil at three diff erent points on a hill slope. During that time, climate, living 

organisms and topography 

changed the soil. Notice in this 

example how the parent material is broken down, and the soil’s 

structure changes from weakly 

developed to well-developed. 

Not all soils undergo this exact 

type of change, and the time 

for change diff ers with location. 

Th ese diff erences occur because 

the climate diff ers from one 

location to another, as do the 

number and types of organisms 

living in the soil.

Parent Material

Parent material (C Horizon) 

consists of the loosely arranged 

mineral and organic matter from 

which soils are developed. Parent 

material can be ash from volcanoes, sediments moved and 

deposited by wind and water, or 

sand and rock deposited by glaciers. 

Broken down bedrock is another example of parent material. 

In Iowa, Alluvial soils deposited 

by water are the youngest and 

least developed.

Climate

Climate helps change parent 

material into subsoil, subsurface 

soil and topsoil. Freezing, thawing,

wetting and drying breaks parent 

material apart. Rain dissolves 

some minerals and transports 

them deeper into the soil. Soils 

in northwest Iowa develop slower because it is drier and cooler 

than other parts of the state.

Living Organisms

Plants and animals change the 

weathered parent material into 

subsoil and topsoil. Leaves, twigs, 

stems and bark from plants fall 

onto the soil, and are broken 

down by fungi, bacteria, insects 

and other animals that live in 

the soil. Insects and earthworms 

burrowing through the soil eat 

and break down organic matter 

and minerals into simpler compounds. Plants and animals help 

make the soil rich in nutrients 

as they die and decay. Living 

organisms are directly related to 

the amount of vegetation produced, which is directly related 

to soil moisture.

Topography

Topography refers to the lay of 

the land. Steeper slopes may have 

eroded topsoil, exposing subsoil 

or parent material. Th is makes the 

soil look like the weakly developed soil in the diagram (above). 

Steeper slopes take longer to 

develop because moisture runs 

off the slope instead of infi ltrating the soil. Soils in low areas 

and depressions tend to be wetter 

and more developed. In contrast, 

soils in more sloping areas tend to 

be drier and less developed.

How Soil Develops
8 From the Ground Down

N

MONROE COUNTY WAPELLO COUNTY

COUNTY KEOKUK

COUNTY POWESHIEK COUNTY JASPER

MARION COUNTY
From the Ground Down 9

COLO-ELY

GOSPORT

PERSHING

PERSHING

HAIG

GRUNDY

GRUNDY

ALLUVIUM

LOESS

LOESS

LOESS

GLACIAL TILL

GLACIAL TILL

SHALE

SHALE

SHALE

General Soil Maps

A General Soil Map is a smallscale map of the survey area. It 

is color-coded to show major 

soil associations. Descriptions of 

each of the soil associations are 

near the front of the soil survey 

report. Th is section of the report 

is labeled General Soil Map 

Units in the Table of Contents 

of a Soil Survey. A map of Iowa 

Soil Regions is also available 

online at www.ia.nrcs.usda.

gov/soils.html.

Each color-coded area on the 

General Soil Map has a corresponding description. In the 

example General Soil Map of 

Mahaska County (Page 8), 

the area coded 7 

and shaded 

green designates the PershingGrundy-Haig soil association. As 

the name of the map implies, Pershing, Grundy and Haig are the 

major soils that occupy the landscapes of this section of Mahaska 

County. Likewise, the description 

of soil association 7 gives general 

information about this section of 

the county.

Iowa soil survey reports contain 

a number of three-dimensional 

drawings, called block diagrams, 

depicting the relationships of 

soils, parent material and topography for the major soil associations. Th e illustration below 

shows the Pershing-Grundy-Haig 

soil association as it occurs in Mahaska 

County. Note 

the relationship of parent material (loess, glacial till, shale and 

alluvium) and the topography 

to the diff erent soils. Refer to 

the How Soil Develops section 

of this guide (Page 7) for additional insights on these relationships.

Th e General Soil Map can be 

used to compare the suitability 

of large areas for general land 

uses. Because of the small scale, 

it is not intended to be used to 

make management decisions on 

specifi c sites. Soils within a soil 

association may vary greatly in 

slope, depth, drainage and other 

characteristics that aff ect management.

 

Typical pattern of soils and parent 

material in the Pershing-Grundy-Haig 

soil association.
10 From the Ground Down

Classes:

I - have few limitations that 

restrict their use. Class I has no 

subclasses because these soils 

have few limitations.

II - have moderate limitations 

that restrict the choice of 

plants or that require moderate 

conservation practices.

III - have severe limitations that 

reduce the choices of plants or 

that require special conservation practices, or both. 

IV - have very severe limitations that reduce the choice 

of plants or that require very 

careful management, or both.

V - are not likely to erode but 

have other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit 

their use.

VI - have severe limitations that 

make them generally unsuitable for cultivation.

VII - have very severe limitations that make them unsuitable for cultivation.

VIII - soils and miscellaneous 

areas have limitations that 

nearly preclude their use for 

commercial crop production.

Capability subclasses are noted 

with an “e,” “w” or “s” following 

the capability class numbers. For 

example, in 2e, the “e” indicates 

the soil is erosive. A “w” would 

signify a wetness limitation. 

An “s” would denote a shallow, 

droughty or stony soil.

Soil Capability Classes

Each soil is grouped by capability class, and in most cases by subclass. These groupings reveal the suitability of soils for field crops and 

pasture, and indicate associated risks and responses to conservation 

treatment and management.

There are eight capability classes, which represent progressively 

greater limitations and narrower choices for practical land use. These 

classes are designated by Roman numerals I through VIII.

Natural Resources Conservation Service photo illustration
From the Ground Down 11

How To Use Soil Capability Classes

On the whole, producers make rational use of their farmland. Almost all United States land in Capability 

Class I—with soils that are level, deep, well-drained and easy to work—is used to grow crops. Th e more 

extensive capability classes of II and III comprise the majority of cultivated cropland, although that land 

generally requires conservation measures. 

Most of Iowa’s land is very well suited to cropland. More than 84 percent of the state’s 36 million acres are 

in Class I, II or III, and only 8 percent is in Class VI, VII or VIII.

More than two-thirds of Iowa is cultivated cropland, and there is an additional 1 million acres that is in 

non-cultivated hay or horticultural crops. About 3.5 million acres are grazed pastures and a little more 

than 2 million acres in Iowa are forested.

Iowa Soil Regions Map

Legend

Iowa Counties

 Soil Regions

1 Semi Arid Loess over Glacial Till

2 Loess (NW Iowa)

3 Tazewell Glacial Till

4 Loamy Wisconsin Glacial Till

5 Clayey Lacustrine Deposits

6 Loamy Glacial Till

7 Shallow to Bedrock

8 Loess with Bedrock Outcrops

9 Shallow Loess over Glacial Till

10 Loess Ridges and Sideslopes

11 Loess with Glacial Till Outcrops

12 Deep Loess

13 Missouri River Bluffs

14 Missouri River Alluvium

15 Loess Ridges/Glacial Till (SW Iowa)

16 Loess, Shale, and Glacial Till

17 Loess Ridges/Glacial Till (SE Iowa)

18 Eolian Sand

19 Loess (Timbered)

20 Alluvium

21 Loess Ridges/Glacial Till Sideslopes

22 Loess Ridges/Clay Paleosol

23 Water

21

4

22

15

6

2

8

12

10

11

9

5

14

1

17

19

7 3

16

20

13

18

Th e 479 soil types that are currently used in Iowa can be subdivided into 

22 unique geologic regions that were formed thousands of years ago as 

geologic processes shaped the Iowa we recognize today. For more information about Iowa’s soil regions, visit www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/soils.html.
12 From the Ground Down

(granular, platy, blocky or prismatic).

Soil structure is constantly changing. Although the process is too 

slow for you to notice, a soil’s 

structure becomes stronger and 

more distinct over time.

Color

Color is one of the most noticeable soil properties. Color 

is aff ected by organic matter 

content, climate, soil drainage 

and minerals. Most soil minerals 

are naturally white or light gray. 

However, humus and iron compounds change the outer color of 

the soil particles much like a coat 

of paint.

Soil color gives clues about the 

nature of the root zone, which 

is the normal depth that roots 

penetrate into the soil. Dark 

colors refl ect favorable amounts 

of humus. Gray colors suggest 

wetness. Brown and red colors 

indicate favorable air-water 

relationships.

Depth to High 

Water Table

A saturated soil layer, or water 

table, will fl uctuate throughout 

the year. How high the water table 

rises, and how long it stays at that 

All soils possess properties that impact their suitability for specifi c 

uses. Although some properties, such as slope, may be altered to 

some extent to make a site more suitable, it is usually impractical to 

modify these properties extensively. Following is a list of major soil 

properties that aff ect the suitability of soils for a number of specifi c 

uses. Th e table on Page 15 provides examples of various land uses 

that are aff ected by specifi c soil properties. 

Texture

Soil particles vary in size. From coarsest to fi nest, they are sand, silt 

or clay. Th e percentage of each in any given soil determines its texture. 

Texture is an important 

soil property because it 

is closely related to many 

aspects of soil behavior. It infl uences ease of 

tillage and root development. It also aff ects the 

availability of nutrients 

in the soil, the amount 

of water that a soil will 

hold and how water 

moves through the soil. 

Sand causes little restriction of air, water and root movement through 

the soil, whereas clay oft en reduces movement. 

Structure

Two soils with the same texture may have distinctly diff erent physical 

properties because of the arrangement of soil particles. Th is arrangement is called soil structure. Soil structure forms when individual 

grains of sand, silt and clay are bound together physically or chemically. Plant roots, organic matter and clay particles all provide physical and chemical binding agents. Th ese bound particles form larger 

units called peds. A ped is a single unit of soil structure. Th e

shapes of peds, which range in size, determine the structure type 

Soil Properties

Relative sizes of sand, silt and clay
From the Ground Down 13

level, will affect the use of the 

soil.

Depth to Bedrock

Bedrock is the solid rock under 

the soil and parent material. 

Sometimes it is exposed at the 

surface. The depth from the soil 

surface to bedrock influences 

the soil’s potential and limitations.

Depth Classes

Very Shallow:

 less than 10 inches to 

 bedrock

Shallow:

 10 to 20 inches to bedrock

Moderately Deep:

 20 to 40 inches to bedrock

Deep:

 40 to 60 inches to bedrock

Very Deep:

 More than 60 inches to 

 bedrock

Permeability and 

Saturated Hydraulic 

Conductivity

Permeability and Saturated 

Hydraulic Conductivity both 

refer to how easily water moves 

through soil. Water movement is 

influenced by texture, structure, 

compaction and the presence or 

absence of cementing agents. 

Iowa NRCS Soil Scientist Dale Ceolla 

examines Tama soil, Iowa’s state soil.
14 From the Ground Down

Permeability is measured as 

the inches per hour that water 

moves downward and laterally 

through saturated soil. (See the 

illustration at the bottom of this 

page.)

Saturated hydraulic conductivity is the measurement of this 

movement of water through the 

soil. It is measured in micrometers per second.

Rock Fragments

Th e number of rock fragments 

on the surface and the percentage of fragments in the soil 

profi le are important to land-use 

planning. Excessive rock fragments reduce the available water 

capacity of the soil.

Slope

Perfectly level land has a slope of 

0 percent. All other land rises or 

falls to some degree. Slope is an 

important factor, and impacts 

water erosion and surface drainage.

Available Water 

Capacity

Available Water Capacity is a 

measure of how much water a 

soil can store for use by plants. 

Th e Available Water Capacity is 

infl uenced by soil texture, organic matter content and pore space. 

It is measured in inches of water 

per inch of soil.

Flooding and Ponding

Periodic fl oodwater from overfl owing streams or runoff from 

nearby slopes makes sites risky 

for some uses. If fl oodwaters persist, they may delay planting and 

harvesting.

Permeability and Saturated Hydraulic ConductivityHow Water Moves Through Soil

Granular Subangular Blocky Columnar or Prismatic Platy (closely resembles clay 

and compacted soils)

Slope - 0’ is level ground

(SOIL STRUCTURE TYPES)
From the Ground Down 15

Indicates a particular 

land use that could be 

aff ected by a specifi c 

soil property. Depth to 

Bedrock

Tank

Absorption Fields

Sanitary Landfi ll

(Trench)

Sanitary Landfi ll

(Area)

Dwellings Without 

Basements

Dwellings With 

Basements

Small Commercial

Buildings

Local Roads

and Streets

Lawns and

Landscaping

Camp Areas

Picnic Areas

Playgrounds

Paths and Trails

Golf Fairways

Wetness

Permeability SlopeSurface 

Texture

Subsurface 

Texture

Small 

Stones

Large 

Stones Flooding
16 From the Ground Down

Th e General Soil Map, Index 

to Map Sheets and Detailed 

Soil Map Sheets are located at 

the back of the soil survey, or 

as separate maps in a folder. 

To obtain information about a 

particular plot of land, locate the 

area on the Index to Map Sheets, 

select the appropriate map sheet 

number, and locate the map 

sheet. Map sheets are in numerical order in the soil survey. Th en 

locate a specifi c parcel of land 

on the map sheet by noting imagery or section numbers, roads, 

streams and towns.

Th e symbols on the map sheets 

are listed on the back of the 

Index to Map Sheets with the 

names of each soil that they represent. You can obtain detailed 

information about each soil area 

of interest by referring to the 

map unit description located 

in the text or interpretive tables 

located in the back of the soil 

survey publication. Th e map 

unit description or tables can be 

located easily by using the Table 

of Contents in the front of the 

publication.

Using Soil Maps

Soil and Symbols Legend (above) 

can be found on the back of the 

Index to Map Sheets.

Index to Map Sheets (left).

16

Individual soil symbols on the 

soil maps may contain more 

than one soil. Th ey generally 

include areas of similar soils, 

and possibly small areas of 

contrasting soils. Th e composition of soils is explained in each 

map unit description. Th e soil 

maps provide suffi cient information for developing resource 

plans, but an onsite investigation 

should be conducted to plan 

intensive uses in small areas.
From the Ground Down 17

Soil Survey of

Allamakee

County, Iowa

Every soil type has dozens of specifi c soil properties and interpretations that aid users in making decisions on the land. Th ese 

properties and interpretations are listed by soil map unit number in 

various tables located throughout the soil survey report or online 

at: http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Survey.aspx?State=IA.

Below is a list of tables and specifi c information they contain that 

are available in most soil survey reports.

Temperature and Precipitation

average daily minimum and 

maximum temperatures, growing 

degree days, snowfall, spring and 

fall freeze dates, length of growing 

season

Cropland Management 

Considerations

cropping considerations for each 

type such as ‘acid soil’, ‘excessive 

permeability’, or ‘water erosion’

Crop and Pasture Yield Tables

crop and pasture yields, land capability class, subsoil potassium and 

phosphorus levels

Prime Farmland Lists

includes additional lands of statewide and local importance

Windbreaks and Environmental Plantings, Forestland 

Productivity

specifi c trees that are suitable for 

each soil type and the height they 

will grow in 20 years, site index 

and volume of wood fi ber is also 

available in areas where there are 

forests

Recreational Development

soil suitability for camp areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, paths and 

trails, motorcycle trails, and golf 

fairways

Wildlife Habitat

openland wildlife, woodland wildlife and wetland wildlife suitability

Building Site Development

soil suitability for dwelling with or 

without basements, small commercial buildings, local roads and 

streets, shallow excavations and 

lawns and landscaping

Sanitary Facilities

soil considerations for septic tank 

absorption fi elds, sewage lagoons 

and landfi lls

Construction Materials

soils as a potential source of gravel, 

sand, topsoil, roadfi ll or reclamation material

Water Management

soil suitability for ponds, embankments, dikes and levees

Agricultural Waste Management

soil suitability for the application 

of manure or sewage sludge or for 

wastewater treatment

Engineering Index Properties

Unifi ed and AASHTO classifi cations, rock fragments, percent passing sieves, liquid limit and plasticity 

index

Physical Properties of the Soil

soil bulk density, clay content, available water capacity, shrink-swell 

potential, organic matter content, 

erosion factors

Chemical Properties of the Soil

cation exchange capacity, soil pH, 

calcium carbonate content

Water Features

depth to saturated soil for each 

month, frequency and duration 

of ponding and fl ooding for each 

month for each soil type

Soil Features

depth to bedrock, potential for soil 

subsidence and frost heaving, risk of 

corrosion to steel and concrete

Tables

Soil interpretations are constantly being developed and tested. Th e Department of Homeland Security 

uses soil maps to determine suitable sites for animal burial and composting, or to identify soils that can sequester radioactive materials. Th e Department of Defense looks at soil surveys to determine areas vehicle 

traffi cability, helicopter landing areas, and even strategic fi ghting positions.

Locating 

Information

17

This publication was produced and printed by:

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

210 Walnut Street, Room 693

Des Moines, IA 50309

April 2007

For questions about information contained in this publication or in specifi c soil surveys, 

contact the Iowa NRCS Soils Staff at the above address, or phone (515) 284-4135. 

For information about NRCS and its programs in Iowa, 

visit us online at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, 

color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, 

sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is 

derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who 

require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To fi le a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer.

U N I T E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E

FROM THE 

GROUND 

DOWN

FROM THE

An Introduction to Iowa Soil Surveys

N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S C O N S E R V A T I O N S E R V I C E
FROM THE 

GROUND 

DOWN

FROM THE

An Introduction to Iowa Soil Surveys

www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov

Helping People Help the Land

in Iowa