Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop

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Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop

In 1967, Natural Resources Conservation Services district conservationist Howard Whitaker woke up from a dream and jotted down the first Sammy Soil, a character to help educate and entertain children about the environment.

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“The future of any country is the youth, and we need to teach them how to use all of our resources and to renew them as well,” Whitaker says.

After a visit to a classroom nearly 20 years later, a child asked if Sammy had a sister. So, with Whitaker’s vision and award-winning cartoonist Bruce Plante’s artistry, Ruby Raindrop debuted in 1994.

Officially the mascots of NRCS, Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop have made appearances across the U.S. with messages such as Ruby’s mantra, “Let’s get one thing clear, ME,” and, “The soil you save today may keep you from hunger tomorrow!” They’ve even visited the White House for Earth Day.

Most NRCS offices in Tennessee have a Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop who can make appearances at events in your community, so contact your district conservation office.

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