Celebrating Kalkaska Sand, Michigan’s State Soil

The Pride Beneath Our Feet

On July 18, 1991 a crowd of over 150 conservationists, environmental leaders, and government officials gathered in Kalkaska County. They were there to honor a quiet but vital part of Michigan’s natural heritage. Honoring Kalkaska Sand, officially designated as Michigan’s State Soil.

Now, you might not think soil is something to throw a party over. But when it comes to Kalkaska Sand, it’s more than just dirt. It is a living, breathing part of Michigan’s ecosystem and economy. First identified and mapped in 1927, Kalkaska Sand is found in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. You can find it across 29 counties, covering over 1 million acres. It’s Michigan’s native soil through and through, and it tells a story millions of years in the making.

Classified as a spodosol, Kalkaska Sand is known for its distinct layers. The layers include humus, light sand, dark sand, and yellowish sand. Each layer contributes to its beauty and function. These soils were formed in sandy glacial deposits, and their well-drained, layered structure makes them a perfect match for hardwood timber, Christmas tree farms, specialty crops, and wildlife habitats. And as it turns out, Kalkaska Sand plays a huge role in preserving Michigan’s pristine water quality, acting as a natural filtration system for rivers and lakes.

Chosen as a Symbol

But it’s not all sandy sunshine—Kalkaska Sand isn’t great for everything. Because of its high permeability and tendency toward drought, it’s not ideal for traditional farming or septic systems. In fact, its fragility and complexity were reasons it was chosen as a symbol: to remind us that what lies underfoot can be both beautiful and vulnerable.

The 1991 ceremony in Kalkaska County marked not just a recognition of this unique soil, but also the beginning of a broader educational movement—one aimed at helping Michiganders (especially kids) understand the importance of soils to our environment, economy, and future.

So the next time you’re hiking through a forest in Northern Michigan or admiring the clear waters of a local lake, remember—you might just be standing on Kalkaska Sand, the unsung hero of the Great Lakes State.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.