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NSCSS Annual Meeting on Amelia Island, Florida

MMcClain's picture
Submitted by MMcClain on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 16:47

You are invited to attend the 23rd Annual Meeting of the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc. (NSCSS) from March 3-6, 2010 at the “Amelia Island Plantation” resort located on the Atlantic Ocean beach on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida.

Why should you attend? The theme of the meeting is "Diverse Opportunities for Consulting Soil Scientists in a Challenging Economy." The goal of the meeting is to offer networking with other consulting soil scientists to explore new service and business opportunities. This should be useful to consultants who are struggling in this challenging economy. How can you pass this up?
Agenda

The meeting agenda is available as a PDF file.

The meeting will start on Wednesday with the choice of participating in the Scholarship Golf Tournament on one of the three Amelia Island Plantation private golf courses or a Scholarship Field Trip to nearby Cumberland Island, Georgia to see the unique natural history of this barrier island just north of Amelia Island, Florida.

Cumberland Island Field Guide (3MB pdf) NEW

On Thursday morning, the presentations will be on Biochar, the relationship and the interactions between consulting soil scientists and academics and engineers, and innovative septic systems used in Florida. The Annual Business Meeting will be held during a provided lunch and presided over by 2009 NSCSS President Phil Scoles.

An exciting slate of speakers on Thursday afternoon will be a part of two concurrent seminar sessions: "Biochar Belongs in Soils" and "The Business of Soil Consulting".” Drs. James Amonette and Jeffrey Novak will be speaking on cutting edge research on Biochar in soils. NSCSS members will share business experiences so that you can build your soil consulting practice. The business seminar will be useful to consultants interested in diverse opportunities for soil scientists, billing, contracts, proposals, marketing, and retirement strategies.

The Friday morning sessions focus on the relationship between NSCSS and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with special emphasis on opportunities in the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). A humorous presentation before the furnished lunch called "The Far Side of Soils" with apologies to Gary Larson. Frank Watts, Mary Collins, and Wade Hurt will be talking to us about the Soils of Florida’s Atlantic Coastal Plain Landscape. Dr. Collins from the University of Florida will present "The Future of Soil Science and Soil Scientists."

The Friday afternoon sessions will be on opportunities for consultants using "Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, and Roof Gardens," Phytoremediation, and the Land Application of Biosolids. The NSCSS Professional Ethics Seminar: Mock Trial (Consultant’s Court) will round out an exciting and busy day.

The meeting's agenda will conclude on Saturday with a field trip lead by Frank Watts and Oren Reedy on the "Soils on Landforms of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Landscape" in Duval and Nassau Counties near Amelia Island, Florida. Thomas Macfie of Aardvark Systems International will demonstrate how to make hydraulic conductivity measurements in sandy soils.

Why not take a few well deserved days off from your busy work routine and join peer soil scientists on Amelia Island, Florida in March 2010? The Amelia Island Plantation is a well known and regarded special place to get away from it all and network and socialize with fellow professionals. You’'ve had plenty of advance notice before the busy holidays, so put this on your calendars and make reservations today!. See You There!!!

Silent Auction

We are soliciting items of interest to be auctioned for the benefit of the NSCSS Scholarship Fund. Please donate items of regional interest or just plain neat stuff from your shelves. Individuals interested in contributing items should contact NSCSS at meeting2010@nscss.org, (800) 535-7148 (voicemail) or Sue at (208) 263-9391. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Business Meeting.

Student

Students who wish to register should contact NSCSS at meeting2010@nscss.org, (800) 535-7148 (voicemail) or Sue at (208) 263-9391.

Exhibitor

Price includes one exhibit space, conference, lunches, and evening social. Golf and field trips are priced separately. Additional exhibitor team members can sign up as guests if they can forgo conference attendance.

Guest

Basic access to the event exhibitor and reception areas. Designed for spouses and exhibitor team members who want to interact with attendees during the breaks, and who won't benefit from attending the conference sessions. Golf and field trips are priced separately.

Room Reservations

Individuals are responsible for making their own room reservations. Reserve early: attractive room rates are guaranteed only until January 31, 2010. Call The Amelia Island Plantation at (888) 261-6161, or make your reservations online using their Online Reservation Form. Please make sure to identify yourself as with the NSCSS Conference, Group # 8BJ1UG.

Transportation
  • Jacksonville International Airport 29 miles, 35 minutes
  • Hourly transportation service available
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers on-property car delivery service and discounted group rates
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