West Virgina State Soil MONONGAHELA
The Monogahela soil series was first identified in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1921, and was named for the Monongahela River. It was designated as the official soil of West Virginia in 1997 by the state legislature. The Governor at the time, Cecil Underwood, honored this designation by issuing a colorful painting which now hangs in the WV State Capitol with the other state symbols.
What makes Monongahela soil so important is its use and prevalence in the State? This soil is a highly productive crop and pasture soil in a State that has limited opportunities for crop production due to the rugged terrain. In areas where the soil is found with 3% or less slopes it is considered Prime Farmland. Prime farmland is a designation assigned by U.S. Department of Agriculture defining land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these land uses. As such, Monongahela soils are used extensively for cultivated crops, hay, pasture, and home site development.
For more information about this and other State Soils, visit the Soil Science Society of America "Around the World-State Soils" website.
West Virgina State Soil MONONGAHELA
The Monogahela soil series was first identified in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1921, and was named for the Monongahela River. It was designated as the official soil of West Virginia in 1997 by the state legislature. The Governor at the time, Cecil Underwood, honored this designation by issuing a colorful painting which now hangs in the WV State Capitol with the other state symbols.
What makes Monongahela soil so important is its use and prevalence in the State? This soil is a highly productive crop and pasture soil in a State that has limited opportunities for crop production due to the rugged terrain. In areas where the soil is found with 3% or less slopes it is considered Prime Farmland. Prime farmland is a designation assigned by U.S. Department of Agriculture defining land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these land uses. As such, Monongahela soils are used extensively for cultivated crops, hay, pasture, and home site development.
For more information about this and other State Soils, visit the Soil Science Society of America "Around the World-State Soils" website.