Can I upload my soil types to Overyield?

Yes, you can upload SSURGO soil data as a KML file via Layers. We currently do not have a layer type exclusively dedicated to soil, but are currently developing a custom layer option that could be used for soil uploads.

Note: Our Suitability layer is, in fact, based on 12 soil and climate metrics, including 8 soil attributes provided through SSURGO, which you can explore through the Soil & Climate tab within the layer. However, if you would like more clear delineations between soil types, as opposed to a heatmap of each soil attribute, read on.

How to upload soil data:

First, download a shapefile of your SSURGO soil types, either through NRCS's Soil Web Survey or another data sharing platform. Be sure to crop the area of interest to exclusively highlight your land (and avoid downloading an overly large file).
Upload this file to QGIS (or your GIS platform of choice) to convert from an SHP to a KML file. Overyield only accepts KML uploads.
1. Within QGIS and likely any GIS platform, there may be extra steps to perform to convert the file into an appropriate format. Determining which format is appropriate will depend on the layer type you will be uploading the file through. Polygon-based layers like buildings or ponds will require a file with polygon attributes, while line-based layers like piping, fences, or roads will require a file with line attributes. For soil uploads, we recommend choosing a layer that you otherwise plan to use infrequently.
  1. For example, if you are using the piping layer type, first convert the soil layer into the appropriate line format through the following steps in QGIS: Navigate to Vectors -> Geometry tools -> Polygons to Lines, then click Run in the pop-out to initiate the conversion process.
  2. You will notice you've created a new line-based soil layer, which you can export as a KML.
Within Overyield, select the chosen layer type in the Layers dropdown in the upper toolbar. Click Import KML to select your file.
Once uploaded, you can rename each layer feature after the SSURGO soil types by expanding the selected layer's feature list, and double clicking the feature you would like to re-name.