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The Coastal Plainer
Fall 2002
Volume 7, Number 4
3381 Skyway Drive, P.O. Box 311, Auburn, AL 36830
Phone: 334 887-4549 Fax: 334 887-4551
Homepage: //www.mo15.nrcs.usda.gov/
- Message From The
MO–Leader's Desk
- On the Web
-
Midwest Soil Survey Project Leader Technology Meeting
- Soil Science Institute II
- Basic Field Conservation
Course
- Editor's Note
- Practicing Insightful
Thinking
By Charles Love, State Soil Scientist/MO–15
Team Leader
Greetings,
I would like to express my appreciation for all of the soil survey
accomplishments within MO–15 during this fiscal year. I hope you feel both pride
and satisfaction in our accomplishments related to quality assurance activities
for map compilation, digitization projects, digital map finishing, and product
delivery efforts. The MO–15 team is dedicated to providing the best services we
can and to ensuring top quality soil survey products that meet national
standards and priorities. We had a very successful year, and next year is
shaping up to be another. We were able to overcome many challenges while meeting
the needs of many diverse internal and external customers.
Special thanks to all our cooperators in MO–15 for their assistance in carrying
out special studies and other activities. I am happy to report that we will be
moving forward with a Water Table Special Study, which will use electronic
water-data loggers and other new technologies for key soils. Please look for
more detailed information on this special study in the near future.
One of our accomplishments this year was to improve our skills by attending
training. I am a strong believer in timely training to enhance our skills for
the accomplishment of our overall goals. Below, I have highlighted two recent
training sessions that were right on time for our soil scientists.
Several soil scientists from MO–15 participated in the Midwest Soil Survey MLRA
Project Leaders New Technologies Conference held in Madison, Wisconsin, August
12th to 16th. The conference was provided by MO–10 and MO–11. The technological
tools presented at the conference demonstrated the cutting edge of soil survey
efforts in the 21st Century. The training provided an opportunity to see how
MLRA-based soil survey work areas are operating in the Midwest and to see how
they are using new technologies. I would like to thank the Midwest Soil Survey
Team for sharing this training with our soil scientists and GIS specialists.
We will be able to use many of the techniques demonstrated at the conference. We
want to move forward with similar efforts to help strengthen our vision of
implementing the MLRA concept by deploying new technologies as important
operating tools within MO–15.
In the future, we hope to host a similar conference related to new technologies;
therefore, I am asking for ideas from our soil scientists, GIS specialists, and
cooperators—ideas to facilitate such an effort in MO–15. Please contact me if
you have suggestions for topics for a future conference.
Several project leaders from MO–15 attended workload analysis training provided
by the MO–14 team. This excellent training course was called Progressive Soil
Survey Workload Analysis and Time Management Training. Marc Crouch, training
team leader, and others from MO–14 put together the training to address the
management concerns of soil survey project leaders. The training focused on
evaluating, planning, measuring, and accountability. It taught the use of an
effective long range plan, an annual plan of operations, and other aids for the
managing and scheduling of soil survey activities. The soil scientists that
attended the training gained valuable tools for managing their soil survey
areas.
Marc Courch and the other MO–14 team members are to be commended for preparing
outstanding lesson plans and providing a first-rate training course. A special
thanks to Roy Vick, MO leader, and the MO–14 Board of Directors for providing
this service to soil survey project leaders and others.
Finally, I want to again express my sincere thanks to each of you for a job well
done and express my confidence that in the coming year we will be able to meet
the challenges arising from the 2002 farm bill and from the implementation of
new technologies. I am sure that this time next year I will be able to again
express my appreciation for all of your hard work, commitment, and dedication in
helping to meet customer needs for MLRA Region 15 and the National Cooperative
Soil Survey Program.
The following soil surveys from MO–15 States are on the Web at
http://www.mo15.nrcs.usda.gov/publications.htm. The earliest survey on the Web
was Dade County, Florida, which was posted in 1995 and was revised with maps in
September 2000. Our most recently posted survey was Attala County, Mississippi,
which went up on the Web November 4, 2002.
Alabama
- Butler County
- Choctaw County
- Marengo County
- Perry County
- Pickens County
- Russell County
- Wilcox County
Caribbean Area
- Caribbean National Forest
- Lajas Valley Area
- Mayaguez Area
- Humacao Area
- United States Virgin Islands
Florida
- Calhoun County
- Dade County
- Escambia County
- Glades County
- Gulf County
- Hamilton County
- Okeechobee County
- Taylor County
Georgia
- Bleckley, Dodge, and Telfair Counties
- Emanuel County
- Jasper County
- Newton and Rockdale Counties
- Pulaski and Wilcox Counties
Mississippi
- Attala County
- Perry County
- Smith County
Tennessee
- Cheatham County
- Cumberland County
- Grainger County
- Jefferson County
- Marshall County
- McMinn County
- Polk County
- Trousdale County
By John Burns, Soil Scientist
The Midwest Soil Survey Project Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, was very
informative and educating. The Midwest seems to be at the forefront of using
technology in the Soil Survey Program.
One of the first speakers to jump start the meeting was William Hunt, the State
Conservationist for Minnesota. He stated that soils are the foundation of the
NRCS, but that NRCS is a 3-legged stool—the three legs being soils,
conservation, and plants. He also mentioned that the Soil Survey Program has
been on a "flat-line budget," and that the budget has not had a significant
increase in many years. For the Soil Survey Program to progress (and not just
survive) in the coming years, it must have a significant budget increase to get
its jobs done. The onset of technology as a necessary tool makes a budget
increase especially necessary.
The soil survey updates are a colossal job for the Soil Survey Program. Numerous
soil surveys need updating in all states; and even where the survey does not
need updating, the customers still want the survey digitized to allow expanded
use. William Hunt also mentioned that the money would not come unless the Soil
Survey Program and soil scientists market themselves better. "It's too bad, but
everything revolves around politics," he said. Soil scientists need to be better
politicians, not in a selfish way, but in a way that is honest and legitimate.
The need is there. As William Hunt says, "The first thing that is asked for at
soil conservation meetings are soil surveys."
Well, with the wave of technology at our hands, the first presentation was meant
to remind soil scientists of their job's foundation: "The Fundamentals of Soil
Survey Applied to Updates." The gist of the presentation was that despite the
tremendous breakthroughs in technology we should not forget what got us here
over the past 100 years. The fundamentals that we were reminded of were
understanding the soil forming factors, describing soils, understanding
soil-landscape relationships, and conveying this information to the users. The
bottom line was this: if we forget the fundamentals, then the technology isn't
going to do us any good.
So finally, the technological "goodies" that were presented were exciting. Some
older soil scientists on the verge of retirement were saying that they wanted to
stay on just because they are having so much fun. And it's true, these
technological advances do make the job more fun. Here is an overview of the most
important tech tools needed by the 21st century soil scientist:
- 3dMapper is software that enables a soil scientist to view orthoquads in
3-D—with more accurate lines drawn with GIS software—and produce
computer-generated block diagrams.
- Orthomapper is a program that allows ortho-rectification of field sheets
or atlas sheets for use in 3D-mapper without manual compilation to an
orthophoto mylar or other manual procedures.
- HP IPAQ enables a soil scientist to enter pedon data with Pendragon
software and to map in the field in "real time," drawing digital lines right
on the IPAQ screen. Attaching a GPS unit to the IPAQ enables real time.
- An Electromagnetic Induction Meter (EM) is used to show the variability of
soil map units and landscapes in technical soil work. It may improve both
update soil surveys and our technical soil onsite investigations.
- ArcGIS is a new ESRI product that enables a soil scientist to create and
change soil lines digitally and to view multiple layers, such as soil lines,
DRGs (digital topographic maps), DOQs (digital orthoquads), and drainage
lines.
Soil scientists need to know about these tools that make their job easier,
more efficient, and more fun. And as was said above, we need to practice the
fundamentals of soil science (our foundation) for these technological tools to
work. Using these tools on a foundation and using the right tool for the job
will make our job much more efficient.
Meetings about technology for the soil scientist project leader need to be held
about every other year in different MOs to keep us up to speed, to facilitate
effective communication, and to encourage us to do the best job we can for our
customers.
by Sandy Page and John Burns, Soil Scientists
During most of the month of September, the first Soil Science Institute II (SSI
II) was conducted at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces, NM, which
is in the heart of the southwestern desert region. Thirty-three soil scientists,
representing about 22 states and Puerto Rico, participated in the course. Three
representatives of MO–15 attended. They were John Burns, Jorge Lugo, and Sandy
Page.
The Soil Science Institute II is similar in format to the Soil Science Institute
I. Both are intensive courses sponsored in part by a university. The Soil
Science Institute I is a refresher course of many aspects of soil science. The
primary focus of SSI II is geomorphology. The second soil science institute was
created because geomorphology is such an important aspect of soil science. Also,
many of the experienced NRCS soil scientists have already attended Soil Science
Institute I, and SSI II would provide them with additional training. The two
courses will now be offered in alternate years.
Dr. Curtis Monger, a native of Tennessee, was the course sponsor for NMSU. Dr.
Monger did an excellent job of organizing the course, leading the field trips,
and conveying—with humor and wit—part of his extensive knowledge about the
region, desert-soil genesis, and southwestern-soil geomorphology. Other notable
presenters and their topics included Dr. Jimmy Richardson, North Dakota State
University, on general principles of soil hydrology; Dr. Richard Langford,
University of Texas, El Paso, on eolian processes and deposits; Dr. David
Hammer, University of Missouri, on urban soils; Dr. Nancy McMillan, New Mexico
State University, on Quaternary volcanism; and Dr. Bruce Harrison on the study
of how soils may be affected by recent tectonics. Discussions of several aspects
of geomorphology were presented by NRCS staff members from Lincoln, Nebraska.
They were Carolyn Olson, National Leader for Soil Survey Investigations, and
Phil Schoeneberger and Doug Wysocki (aka Fill and Dug). Arlene Tugel and Joel
Brown, representing the Soil Quality Institute and Jornada Experimental Range,
respectively, along with fellow institute attendee Pat Shaver, rangeland
management specialist, provided insight on regional soil-plant relationships,
ecosystem processes, and landscape ecology.
A major theme throughout the institute focused on soil-geomorphic relationships
in an arid to semiarid basin and range setting. One benefit of studying
geomorphology in the desert is that the lack of vegetation enables the landforms
to be seen without a canopy cover. Much of the study area for SSI II was that of
the Soil-Geomorphic Project of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (informally
known as the Desert Project). The Desert Project encompasses a 400-square-mile
area studied by a team of soil scientists and geologists from 1957 to 1972. The
Desert Project continues today through the efforts of two of the original
project members, Lee Gile and John Hawley, plus spin-off studies conducted
primarily by students and researchers from NMSU. The project was, and is, a
cooperative effort between the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the New
Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, and the Department of Agronomy at
New Mexico State University.
To my knowledge, there has never been such a comprehensive study of soil
geomorphology and soil genesis conducted in this country, at least not sponsored
by the Federal government. Prior to 1957, little was known about soil genesis in
arid regions. The original project was conceived of, and spearheaded by, such
SCS notables as Guy Smith and Robert Ruhe. Over the years, other major
contributors have included Fred Peterson, Bob Grossman, Warren Lynnn, Curtis
Monger, Lee Gile, and John Hawley. Along with Dr. Monger, the latter two fellows
are still contributing to this day by conducting research, leading formal field
tours (such as the upcoming World Congress of the International Union of Soil
Scientists in 2006), and providing guidance and insight to other current
researchers. We were fortunate to have John Hawley, senior environmental
geologist, Lee Gile, retired soil scientist, and Bob Grossman, soil scientist,
as instructors in the classroom and the field.
The area of the Desert Project straddles the Rio Grande River Valley and
includes the Jornada del Muerto Basin and several mountain ranges. Field
investigations included mapping the soils, geomorphic surfaces, and surficial
deposits at a scale of 1:15,840. Joint laboratory and field investigations
included studies of characteristics of soils and soil horizons, pedogenic
carbonates and organic carbon, and effects of additions of eolian deposits in
the form of dustfalls. Extensive work regarding geologic history, structure, and
deposits has been sponsored by the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral
Resources. Forty-five years of research in the fields of soil science, geology,
geomorphology, and ecosystem sciences has produced a tremendous amount of
knowledge.
SSI II was a well-planned mix of classroom study and field trips. Although not
everybody might agree that their favorite pastime was standing under the desert
sun collecting more photons (as Dr. Monger was fond of saying), there is no
denying that southwestern New Mexico is a beautiful place. Participants were
fortunate to be able to participate in several field trips that included
interesting soil/landscape relationships and beautiful scenery. For example we
studied:
Geomorphic surfaces, soil development, ecological and pedological relationships,
and mass movement on extensive alluvial fans and piedmont slopes in the Organ
Mountains, Eolian process and derivation of the remarkable gypsum sand dunes at
White Sands National Monument, and Basalt flows, ashfall tuffs overlying buried
argillics of Pleistocene-age soils, and a two-mile wide crater on the desert
basin floor caused by a hydrothermic explosion at Kilborne Hole.
By Angela Warden, Soil Scientist
Eighteen new employees attended the NRCS Basic Field Conservation Course in
Oklahoma City from September 16th to 20th. They were from 11 different States
and included soil scientists, soil conservationists, soil conservationist
technicians, a civil engineering technician, a computer specialist, an
agricultural engineer, and an archeologist. Angela Warden, soil scientist, and
Jennifer Wells, soil conservationist, represented Alabama.
During the week, the participants learned about the history of the NRCS and its
inception due to the efforts of Hugh Hammond Bennett. They also learned about
the various types of fieldwork, such as conservation planning, that our agency
provides to the public. Typically, the first half of the day was spent in the
classroom and the afternoon was spent on field trips. On the first day, each
person had to give a presentation entitled "My Role in the NRCS." The
presentations enabled the participants to get a better understanding about the
activities of others in the NRCS. The field trips enabled most to see a new type
of landscape and to become familiar with a variety of different practices in
which NRCS participates.
Early in the week, the field trips visited rural and urban conservation
practices across the State. At one site, a developer practiced conservation by
not having curbs in his subdivisions and only having grassed strips as well as a
dry hydrant. At another site, a teacher showed her outdoor classroom, which
demonstrated how to prevent erosion, reduce sediments in the water, and protect
a wetland. The owner of a cattle feedlot with a capacity of up to 5,000 head of
beef cattle demonstrated to the class how he practiced nutrient and AFO waste
management practices. One farmer was funded by NRCS with $30,000 to help him
implement better conservation practices and to help reduce soil erosion due to
the wind and water. The class was able to see the "end product."
The participants were also fortunate enough to tour the Fort Reno ARS Station,
which conducts climate and bovine research and monitors native grasses and
watersheds. Later in the week, the participants toured the ARS hydraulics
laboratory near Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the lab, they met with agricultural
engineers who showed them models that simulated unique stabilization structures
they designed for a local watershed under 1-year, 10-year, and 30-year flood
conditions. A graduate student working in the lab also showed a model that he
was working on to show the effects of properly installed silt fencing.
The participants also saw how NRCS teams up with other agencies and institutions
to implement the NRCS mission and vision. The Teal Ridge Watershed Site and
Langston University were examples. While at Langston, the participants toured
the E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research and learned about the
Center for Outreach Programs. They also sampled some of the Center's homemade
cheeses and strawberry ice cream.
The instructors were Theodis Bunch, "The Don," Jimmie Lansford, and Jerry
Williams. They did an outstanding job. Charles Adams, regional conservationist
for the Southeast, and Kevin Norton, assistant state conservationist for
programs in Oklahoma, were two of the guest speakers that were thoroughly
enjoyed. Mr. Adams presented us with his "Practicing Insightful Thinking"
article while providing the group with his insight regarding the direction that
the NRCS is going and where it currently is. The group also saw Oklahoma State
University; ate at Eskimo Joe's, the Cattleman's Club, and Brick Town; and
toured the Oklahoma City Memorial.
Issues of this newsletter are available on the Internet on the MO–15 homepage
(http://www.mo15.nrcs.usda.gov/). Click on "MO–15 Items" and then on "The
Coastal Plainer, Quarterly Newsletter."
You are invited to submit stories for future issues to Aaron Achen, editor,
MO–15, Auburn, Alabama. Voice—(402) 437-4157; FAX—(402) 437-5336; e-mail—Aaron.Achen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or
family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
By Charles R. Adams, Southeast Regional Conservationist
Preface: I wish to convey to the reader that the soil scientist typically
focuses narrowly on the well-defined science of their discipline while many
other forces within the workplace impact their upward mobility.
To my coworkers and to my fellow competitors who narrowed their competition by
expelling me from the fertile soils of Texas in October 1973, I bring greetings
from all the NRCS employees in the Southeast Region. I feel honored in writing
to you today. You represent the best that we have to offer in the soils
program—the cream of the crop, so to speak.
I have an innate fondness for the soils program, after having formal training in
soil science and working as a soil scientist. I have chosen the subject
"Practicing Insightful Thinking," not because there is an abundance of
practitioners among the ranks of soil scientists, but rather because there is
only a pitiful handful. I hope that by the time you finish reading this article,
you will have gone through several mental changes. First, you will have a
deep-seated response to reading this article. Second, you will question yourself
and repeat honestly—as the disciples did when Christ declared that one of them
would betray him— "Lord, is it I?" Third, you will commit within your heart and
to your employees to make an impact on the "Insightful Thinking" of soil
scientists within the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Okay, let's turn
up the thermostat!
How many of you know what form SF–52 is? It's the Request for Personnel Actions
form. If I were a relatively new soil scientist in NRCS, I would sign this form
today under part E: Employee Resignation. Under "Reason for Resignation," I
would get busy indicting my supervisor—who no doubt would be a soil survey party
leader. Then by taking my case to the Merit Systems Protection Board, I would
accuse that leader of "Not Practicing Insightful Thinking." You see, after a few
months on the job the average employee starts to take note of their environment.
They notice that every other discipline under the sun is afforded training
opportunities, that others receive the lion's share of incentive awards, that
others are counseled to dress for success, and that others often obtain key
positions on standing committees. Others are asked early in their careers what
their goals are; definitive training plans are developed and monitored to ensure
their success. Still others are privy to conferences and functions that keep
them abreast of what's available in the organization. The soil scientist,
however, having obviously been born under a bad sign, is relegated to a lesser
role from day one. No one talks DRESS CODE. After the first day digging field
pits, the poor soul figures out through logical deduction that work clothes are
needed befitting the assignment! Soil scientists are never told to dress for the
occasion—never told that blue jeans are inappropriate for a NRCS meeting. The
young staffer, being observant, probably noted on the first trip to the office
the dilapidated government vehicle with the faded paint in the parking lot. It
never dawns on the new recruit that "this is your vehicle!"
The new soil scientist travels backroads with infrequent sightings of human and
animal life while depending on a piece of junk to get back to the dinner table
and an attention-starved, glossy-eyed family in the evening. But yet, there is
worse to come. The new employee walks through the office door and the soil and
range conservationists are seated with books and neatly stacked papers. In a
corner sits a chair with springs protruding through the seat and an old military
desk loaded with what appears to be the disorganized field notes of every job
since 1950.
The only positive note in this "all too true" and "all too frequent" situation
is that we hire soil scientists from many of the better schools, such as
Cornell, Southern, and Purdue. It doesn't take long for our bright upstarts to
realize that, although they attended the same schools as the other professionals
in the office, they are on a different track. This rings home clearly when the
young soil scientist is ushered to the field at the same hour as the office
staff conference.
By such actions the soil scientist is made to feel different and therefore
begins to believe that such treatment is justifiable. "I'm different, and I
should expect to feel differently. It's OK to discriminate against me because
I'm programmed for such treatment." The other recruits are being channeled
towards training models created to advance them into higher level positions,
such as district conservationist.
Isn't it OUR RESPONSIBILITY to let new soil scientists know that with the proper
training and exposure, any employee can ascend through the ranks?
I recently read an article that stated that the dodo bird didn't have a plan—he
stayed on the endangered list too long and is now extinct! Soil scientists, do
you want to continue on the endangered list and become extinct? Unless you start
to "Practice Insightful Thinking" and drop the notion that the virtues of our
profession will be gone when we finish the once-over survey, we are going to be
like the dodo bird. We spend our careers encouraging our neighbors to install
conservation practices. We all need to install conservation practices in our
careers too. If you don't have a career goal in sight, you need more practice.
Let's be positive and "Practice Insightful Thinking."
If the conservation provisions of the Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985 did
nothing else, they should have reinforced our faith in the discipline of soil
science. I am reminded of a story. A pitcher threw a ball to the batter. When
the umpire hesitated to make a call, the catcher turned and asked, "Is it a ball
or a strike?" Obviously offended that the catcher had ventured into unsolicited
territory, the umpire cleared his throat and replied, "It ain't nothing until I
call it!" FSA, with its conservation provisions, would never have gotten off the
ground had it not been for the soil scientists. So you see, each employee in the
470 series should respond about their difference, "Yes, I am different—I am
important—and someday I may be YOUR District or Area Conservationist, State Soil
Scientist, State Conservationist, or even Regional Conservationist!"
For those that have been around this agency for 20 years or more, you have seen
a lot of changes in the soils program, including the establishment of the
National Soil Survey Center. This was a shocking change for many of you. Some of
you are not ready for change because you are not in the habit of "Practicing
Insightful Thinking." Others have the nerve to move out with a new thought.
We have a group of new achievers at our disposal ready to be recruited and
trained. We must no longer leave recruitment of soil scientists up to the
personnel folks. How many of you State Soil Scientists can adequately and
effectively recruit a college graduate? How many of you have done some
recruiting in 2002? If you didn't, you should have. It's YOUR program. You
wouldn't send me out to recruit a spouse for you, would you? Recruiting
employees is not a whole lot different. After all, you are making a 30-year
commitment each time you bring on a new employee. Be Insightful. Envision what
this new recruit will offer the discipline over a 30-year career. Then set out
to make some lasting positive impact on that career. Let your employees know
what it takes to be promotable.
In uncharted territories and lightly trodden paths (such as our water quality
initiative), strong and determined individuals are needed to clear the path for
others. You are those determined individuals. New recruits will enter our
workforce with new ideas about technology. Regardless of their field of study,
they will believe that the world awaits the new expertise they bring to the
table. They will be rudely awakened to the reality that this agency tends to
resist change. Because of this, it is imperative that you "Practice Insightful
Thinking." Assist them in understanding the goals and mission of our agency and
in becoming productive and loyal members of a great team.
(Charles R. Adams' career with NRCS spans 35 years. He started out as a
student-trainee soil scientist in Carthage, Texas, and is currently the Regional
Conservationist for the Southeast Region, which encompasses nine states, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin Islands. —Editor.)
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