The Technical Soil Services Program in Alabama

Technical Soil Services (TSS) involve the application and presentation of soil survey information. TSS assist all users of soil surveys and soil data. The soil scientists responsible for TSS help users understand soil surveys, apply soil information for specific needs, gather site-specific soil data, and integrate soil survey information and data with other resource data and technology. As the soil survey program in Alabama enters a new phase—updating out-of-date soil surveys—the resource soil scientists assigned TSS responsibilities become an integral part of the update process.

Resource soil scientists provide documentation, interpretation, NASIS-database assistance, and GIS support to the soil survey projects involved in the update mapping and maintenance processes. They are also responsible for providing soils data for on-site investigations, identifying hydric soils for wetland determinations and delineations, assisting with land and soil judging contests, supporting Section II of the Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG), and promoting and implementing the wise use of soil resources in Alabama by providing training, identifying resource needs, and focusing available resources to maintain and improve soil quality.

The technical soil services program identifies, clarifies, and addresses the needs for soil survey information within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), and various scientific disciplines in the local, state, regional, and national arenas. The program also obtains feedback and identifies opportunities for making additional uses of soil survey information.

The TSS program in Alabama is carried out by three resource soil scientists. They are assigned to the three NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations (ASTC-FO) support areas and are under the supervision of the State Soil Scientist, who has been assigned TSS responsibilities for Alabama.

Technical Soil Services Team in Alabama

Christopher Ford, Resource Soil Scientist
NRCS ASTC–FO–North Team
4511 US Highway 31, South
Decatur, Alabama 35603
Phone: (256) 353-6146 Ext. 107
Fax: (256) 355-8285
E-mail: chris.ford@al.usda.gov

Milton Tuck, Resource Soil Scientist
NRCS ASTC–FO–West Team
1118 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401-2896
Phone: (205) 759-4716
Fax: (205) 349-4994
E-mail: milton.tuck@al.usda.gov

Bob Beaty, Resource Soil Scientist
NRCS Auburn Field Office
3381 Skyway Drive
Auburn, AL 36831
Phone: (334) 887-4541
Fax: (334) 887-4534
E-mail: bob.beaty@al.usda.gov

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