Last year marked the 125th anniversary of South Dakota’s statehood. To help mark the occasion, Plankinton artist Altman Studeny of South Dakotans for the Inclusive Arts collected soil from each of the state’s 66 counties. The dirt was then mixed together and returned to the collection sites with a bur oak sapling in the "Grow 66/125" project.
Some of the symbolically intermingled soil was saved and Studeny now wants to give the dirt to one child born in every county during the 125th anniversary year. They will also receive a certificate redeemable for a bur oak sapling. Families will receive questionnaires at five-year intervals until the 150th anniversary of statehood to document how the child has grown.
Studeny joined Dakota Midday and discussed the project.
Anyone with a child born in the state between November 2, 2014 to November 1, 2015 and would like to participate can mail: South Dakotans for the Inclusive Arts, PO Box 1, Plankinton, SD 57368. For more information e-mail [email protected].