The Lowdown Underground

Ready for the 'Soil Olympics'? In this episode of Lowdown Underground, Megan and Bailey welcome Paul Tietz (University of Idaho PhD student and soil judging coach) to talk about soil judging: regional contests, national contests, his recent trip to Nanjing, China for the International Soil Judging Contest alongside the World Congress of Soil Science. Paul breaks down how Team USA is selected, what...

In classic fashion, Bailey and Megan sat down to do some podcast planning and instead talked about permafrost-affected soils for an hour. Lucky for you, the conversation and visual aids were all recorded. So join us as we talk about Megan's recent field work in Interior Alaska - charcoal, redox, and cryoturbation galore! We dig into the dynamics of permafrost in boreal (fire-influenced) systems an...

We’re back with a catch-up episode in our new virtual video format after a long hiatus and some big life changes! Megan shares her move from Minnesota to Alaska, finishing her PhD, and starting as a soil science professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks studying permafrost and her dream of creating a soil map for the massive state of Alaska. Bailey shares what he’s been up to in Extension an...

It’s April 28 - Lester Loam’s legislative birthday - and yes, Minnesota has a state soil. In this episode, Bailey and Megan get into how it took decades (and navigating some state-symbol politics… including a blueberry muffin and fossil) for Lester to finally make it official. We dive into what makes this soil so iconic and the story it tells us, from the mix of prairie and forest features it cont...

Join Bailey and Megan in this episode of Lowdown Underground as they sit around the campfire and dive into The Land Ethic philosophy, drawing insights from Aldo Leopold's influential book 'A Sand County Almanac.' Listen to stories, the interconnectedness of landscapes and human life, and how our actions shape the ecosystems around us. From personal anecdotes to thought-provoking passages, discover...

Ready to dig into the college sport you may have never heard of? Join Megan and Bailey as they dive into the competitive world of soil judging with two recent University of Minnesota soil judgers, Amital Shaver and Anna Windels. This episode unearths the surprisingly thrilling practice of evaluating soil profiles and interpreting various soil characteristics to make better land use management deci...

In this episode, Megan takes Bailey north (way north) to explore adventures in soil and permafrost research across Alaska and Canada. Forget fishing trips - this is the real Alaskan experience: dodging clouds of mosquitoes, digging soil pits with bread knives, and polar bear 'drive-bys' (in helicopters). From collaborations with international researchers and partnerships with Alaska Native village...

Ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of our cities? In this episode, Megan and Bailey chat with Adam Devlin, a soil scientist mapping the soils beneath the Twin Cities. Join us as we dive into the NRCS Urban Soil Survey, explore the art and science of soil mapping, and uncover how we shape the ground beneath our cities. Plus, Adam gets personal about the unexpected end of his federal career...

Happy Earth Day 2025 – Let’s Have a Soil-bration! This Earth Day, we’re going underground. While we celebrate the planet each year, we often forget the actual Earth—the soil beneath our feet—and instead focus on the plants, water, and wildlife above ground. In this episode, Megan and Bailey break down 11 vital soil functions—from purifying water to fighting climate change. They also dive into the...

Ever thought soil was just dirt? Think again! Join us in this episode of Lowdown Underground as Bailey takes us from her early love of lakes in Minnesota to discovering a passion for soil formation, soil health, and sustainability. Hear how a love for plants, a surprising chat on World Soils Day, and countless soil pits shaped her unexpected path from aspiring doctor to dedicated soil enthusiast....

Folks who work with the land think of it as soil, not dirt, right?! In this episode, Megan Andersen, a pedologist currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Minnesota, shares her inspiring journey from growing up on a ranch in South Dakota, working with cows and 'dirt', to becoming a passionate soil scientist. Discover how a required pre-requisite class on 'dirt' ignited a love for soil, leadin...

What is soil really? Why should we care about it? If you think it's just dirt, you're not alone, but that definition totally misses the mark. In this episode, Megan and Bailey dig into why so many definitions of soil are boring, limited, or just plain wrong. We explore how different people, including scientists, farmers, and artists, see soil in radically different ways. And the power of a great e...