Soil Survey

Version 2 of STATSGO (General Soils Map of the USA) is available for viewing in Google Earth.  Download the kml file from:

http://www.gelib.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/us-soils_nl.kml

With appropriate additional resources this might be used as an educational tool.

 Changes between Field Indicators 7.0 and 6.0  with reference to USACOE Regional Supplements.

Version 7.0 of the Field Indicators of Hydric Soils is now available online.

 Giddings Probe - 1994 Hydraulic Soil Coring Machine http://item.ebay.com/280473359590
 I have used several truck mounted Giddings Probes and have always admired the design.

Climate change gets the blame for a rising tide of house foundation problems.

Soil types tend to attract lawyers and consultants when local governments classify them as unfit for development. 

A Technical Soil Services, (NRCS-NEDC-000249), session is being held in Lincoln, NE, April 19-23, 2010.  The session has been set up in AgLearn and is available for all to register.

Soil Survey in United Arab Emirates. Closes January 27, 2010  

The 11th edition of Keys to Soil Taxonomy, as well as a summary of all changes for this new version of the Keys is available at: http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/tax_keys/

"A soil scientist carries a few basic pieces of equipment, including a level, soil testing kit (strapped to his belt), a spade and an augur."

The summer soil institute provides a unique opportunity to gain a fundamental and applied understanding of soil biology, chemistry, and physics with world-renowned faculty. Students will gain hands-on experience with lab and field techniques and will gain an enhanced appreciation for the importance of managing our soil resources sustainably. The course will be limited to a maximum of 25 students. Applications will be reviewed starting March 12.

Raymond B. Daniels, 84, retired USDA-NRCS and NCSU soil scientist died June 21, 2009 in Richmond, VA. Ray was born and raised on an Iowa farm and educated at Iowa State University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1957. He initiated his career with NRCS in Iowa and moved to NC in 1960. It was on the Atlantic Coastal Plain where Ray distinguished himself as an outstanding soil geomorphologist.

Donald D. Patterson is being buried today in the North Dakota land that was his home for more than half a century. Don, 82, was one of my mentors and a professor at North Dakota State University, Fargo, in the Soil Science Department. Originially from northern Iowa, in the 1950's he was a member of the rugged survey crew that criss-crossed the state producing general soil survey area maps for the Agricultural College. Don was a meticulous soil scientist, and willing to share his in-depth knowledge of the State's soils. He was deeply involved with the professional soil classifiers association of North Dakota, and was instrumental in obtaining the soil classifier registration law in the state. In addition to field research in soil classification, Don's interests turned to land valuation and related important uses of soils information. He will be missed by those whom he selflessly helped and advised.

USFS will soon (around July 15) be posting a request for quotes on a soil survey contract order 3 for 66,800 acres of field mapping on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF. The pre solicitation notice is available on Fed Biz Opps.