Jeremy Ziegler – President-Elect (President for 2013)

Dave Gundlach – Secretary 2012-2013

Thank you to everyone who sent their votes in on-time.
We are now accepting nominations for the next election.  Nominees are needed for President for 2014 and for Treasurer 2013-2014. Send your nominations to Ken Denow at any time throughout this year! All members with “regular” membership status are welcome to run for office. All members are encouraged to join a committee. This is a wonderful way to get to know other soil scientists and build your resume.

We currently are looking for someone who wants to Chair the Promotions Committee. We need somebody with the drive and get-er-done attitude to really invigorate our promotions committee.

We are also currently looking for somebody who can regularly maintain our Facebook Fan Page with notices, events, and fun soil related news. So if you’re on Facebook everyday, this one is certainly for you! This would be a GREAT opportunity to interact with WSPSS members and soil lovers from anywhere!

Don’t want to be a Chair? Just want to help out when you have time? Your time commitment can be minimal, you decide how much time you want to invest.  All members are welcome to join a committee or just help out! Contact a committee chair or member to find out what you can work on.

A current list of committees and committee contacts is on our Members page.

Remember, we’re always looking for member stories and news to post in our Dirt Dauber! We love to hear your stories from the field wether you are a seasoned PSS or a student just starting out.  If you have breaking news that just can’t wait or fit in a Dirt Dauber, let us know so we can post them to this website.  Pictures are always appreciated!

We need to you to vote on President-elect (2013) and Secretary 2012-2013 so they can begin their duties on January 1, 2012.

A ballot and a bio for all 4 nominees are posted in the Dirt Dauber Fall/Winter 2011.

Remember this is also a good time to pay your dues to make sure you are a member in good-standing. It is also a good time to donate to the Scholarship fund which provides Scholarships to Undergaduates in Soil Science at Wisconsin colleges and universities. The next Scholarship application is due March 15, 2012.

Wisconsin has over 36,000 acres in Christmas tree production, which is fifth in the nation.   Optimal soils for Christmas tree growth are well drained or somewhat excessively drained with a moderately acid sandy loam or loamy sand surface layer and a sand and gravel substratum.   Balsam fir is the most popular Christmas tree species owing to its color (stays dark green in winter when other conifers become dull—some tree species are even dyed green to overcome the winter dullness) , shape (classic conical), pleasant smell and needle retention.

Speaking of needle retention, be sure to keep your tree well watered (yes, even cut trees need water and in fact they are still living and photosynthetic for a while after cutting).   Most of the water is taken up in the first few days after being set up in your warm home, so this is the critical period.   By the way, special additives to the water are not needed.

Balsam fir and similar short needle species (such as Fraser fir and blue spruce) take about 8-10 years to reach the average market height of 6 to 7 feet.  Thus a grower must plan ahead to maintain a steady stream to the market (about 1.8 million Christmas trees are cut annually in Wisconsin).   And in the mean time, they are providing valuable soil-conserving cover to the land and a picturesque landscape as well.  The live Christmas tree is a fine tradition well worth preserving!

submitted by by Mark Krupinski, WSPSS Member
(Facts about Christmas tree production in Wisconsin are from the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Growers Association)

The Dirt Dauber Fall/Winter 2011 includes:

*Prez Sez by Ken Denow, WSPSS President*
*Ballot for President 2014 and Secretary 2012-2013*
*Meeting Minutes for the Spring and Fall 2011 Meetings*
*And a variety of article submissions from members and contributors!*

REMEMBER

Send your ballots, dues, and scholarship donations to Karla Petges, WSPSS Treasurer, by December 31, 2011.  Forms are in the latest Dirt Dauber.

BALLOTS MUST BE RECIEVED BY DECEMBER 31, 2011 SO OFFICERS CAN START THEIR TERMS ON JANUARY 1, 2012!
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JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!
Get updates and interact with other WSPSS members via the WSPSS Facebook Fan Page.
You don’t need to be a WSPSS Member to “like” WSPSS on Facebook!

Join the Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Sscientists at their winter meeting as a host of distinguished presenters share their work and expertise on topics associated with the utilization of our soil resources and the sustainability of present day practices. Ever wonder if anyone is working on new BMPs to address concerns in our agricultural and urban areas? Concerned about the rapid migration of subsurface drainage systems in the “Valley”? What is the state of our forest soils and forest/product industry? Are we moving toward restrictive water and land use policies? These and other topics will be discussion points of the day. Whether soil scientists, environmentalists, producers, or concerned citizens, this gathering will be an informative platform for those with interests in our land resources. This is your chance to interact with the researchers and observers working on the front lines. This is also your chance to see old friends, and as importantly, to meet the new generation of soil scientists. We have a number of new and outstanding members who will be joining us for the first time. As usual, your presence and involvement is the fabric of this organization. Topics & Speakers Sustainability of our Soil and Systems – Dr. Giles Randall, Retired, U of M Conservation Drainage and Agricultural Policies in the Red River Valley – Luke Steuwe, MDA Research Projects Focusing on Fate, Transport of Nutrients Pesticides and Bacteria in Agriculture – Dr. Adam Birr and Mr. Kevin Kuehner, MDA Discovery Farms; Onsite “edge of field” Research – Mr. Tim Radatz, MDA U of M Soil Judging Team Update – Dr. Terry Cooper, Soil Professor, U of M Urban Water Infiltration, Engineering Soils for Slopes, Dewatering, Staging Projects to Protect Soils, Wind Erosion Control, Soil Stabilization – Mr. Dwayne Stenlund, MnDOT Two Stage Ditch Research – Dr. Joe Magner and Mr. Bruce Wilson, MPCA Controlled Drainage Research, Wetland Systems – Dr. Jeff Strock, U of M

Register before November 23, 2011 to avoid being charged a higher registration fee.

Continuing Education Credits: 6.0

Visit the MAPSS website at www.mnsoilscientist.org to register and learn more. 

Thank you! Suzanne Frances

Click here to see photos from the ASA-CSSA-SSSA award ceremony held October 16, 2011.

Thank you to WSPSS member, Dr. Milo Harpstead, for letting us know about Helen’s award.