PSmall's blog

Gary Jones geeks on grass-fed beef, soil, and biochar at garyjones.org. He writes much worth repeating, and I especially appreciate his unwavering perspective on biochar: environment and food are nonessential sideshows, biochar is about the soil.

It is rare to see a blog post on soil science research

The prospect of losing water rights is a disincentive to water conservation.

A ubiquitous issue with irrigation in arid areas is the inevitable build-up of salts in the soil. Applying water in excess of crop use is needed to move salts down into the profile, but that becomes impractical under drought conditions. 

Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Andhra Pradesh, India, was interviewed by CNN on his progress with biochar.

"To soil scientists such as Lal, humanity's recent history with dirt constitutes a triple whammy."

"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 view of soil as a natural resource separates soil science from engineering.

Arsenic contaminated drinking water is a huge problem in Bangladesh. Scott alerts us to the news that the critical source of the contamination has been discovered: ponds excavated to provide material for flood protection.

Danny Day tells us: Updated 11/18/2009 with new date

Prompted by a post on LinkedIn by NSCSS Member Russell Losco, I am considering the business potential of producing biochar locally to serve a small but growing interest in biochar.

Does your business use independent contractors? Then you need to read this. (via http://www.peoplesmartz.com.au/)

When you decide that it’s necessary to raise your fees you must determine the best way to sell the idea. That is, to inform clients of the new fee structure in the most advantageous way. Here are some ideas:

NSCSS and SSSA leadership met in Pittsburgh last week, forging a revitalized interest in soil science curriculum. Particularly important: identifying coursework needed to prepare graduating soil scientists for the private sector. NSCSS has taken several runs at this in the past. This next effort will be in partnership with SSSA.

This is the time of year when new members of The U.S. National Committee for Soil Science are selected. I have found out, unofficially, that a prominent and very active member of NSCSS has been selected to serve a three year term. As an individual scientist this is an obvious good choice, but to bring in someone grounded in the commercial application of science will bring the other members academic biographies into sharp contrast.