I have a question regarding dirt grade. I've seen a few posts saying that selling dirt can be lucrative-what is considered to be "good dirt"? I'm in the initial stages of researching to purchase some land in order to make a pond and would like to find out what it is that makes dirt desirable. I want to sell some of the dirt in order to contribute towards the purchase price but really don't know where to begin. I live in south Louisiana so I'm assuming most of the land should have no problem in holding water. I'm hoping to get as much info/help as I can so I can present my "business plan" to my wife as she has to give the OK to proceed.
Many thanks,
Ryan

Since you haven't gotten a response from an expert or a local yet, I will provide my limited knowledge.
Probably the bottom of the value list is "fill dirt" - this can be practically anything (clay, subsoil, rocks, sand, in mixes) not composed of excessive organics (which would rot and decrease in volume, and hence cause settling) or toxic materials.
Aggregates (sand, gravel) have a higher value than fill, although if the sizes are mixed up (which I think they almost always would be), a commercial operation would be required to sort by size and maximize value.
Topsoil is likely to be your highest value excavated material, which can be separated pretty easy since it's on top. The fewer the rocks, the more it's worth. "Shredded Topsoil," which has had all the rocks mechanically removed, can be (to me, who get his topsoil for the cost of having a dozer set it aside during driveway, barn, or pond construction) ridiculously expensive.
Hopefully someone near your neck of the woods can provide info on prevailing local prices.

Ryan, do a web search on engineering soil classification.

i'm the the gravel/dirt buss.dirt and sand are free,it's in the way.when you buy dirt you are paying for the frieght.what we want is the gravel,that's were the money is at.however i do not want to put a dark cloud over your idea of someone buying your dirt.it all breaks down to does someone need x amount of dirt close to your pond site.my exp. is nobody need the amount of dirt that comes out of a average size pond close to your pond site.keep in mind if you dig a 1-2 acre pond,that's alot of dirt.every neighbor allways want 4-5 loads but who wants 2,000 loads.i cannot come to your property and get 2,000 loads of dirt free and move it 20 miles and make money,it easier and cheaper to find 5 miles down the road.good luck.