Villagers will take items when thrown or dropped in front of them or near them, Shovels, Soil, Swords, and other items. See link to google drive video.

Seed we are both using is 1404998407

Video shows villager collecting soil.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxcM6y0zTEtgQ0hNWVNFMW1id1E/view?usp=sharing