Soil Quality Network 2012 event

Soil Quality Network 2012 is the first of two workshops planned for agricultural professionals and land managers. Workshop participants will gain an appreciation for the role soil quality plays in crop productivity and the viability of agriculture operations. The workshop will help agriculture consultants and planners develop strategies and actions to support farmers interested in improving soil quality.
Keynote speaker, Rick Fasching, Agronomist, with the NRCS West National Technical Support Center, will kick off the workshop with an introductory presentation, “Soil Quality-It’s Your Future”. Day one will include a tour of farm fields where participants will view and discuss soil assessment and management techniques. An evening no-host social hour will include a GeoLink activity to encourage network-building among geographically-common participants, and a presentation by Dawn R. Ferris, Soil Science Society of America, that will shed light on Oregon House Bill 3647 that requires agricultural land capability assessments be performed by professional soil classifiers.
Day-two breakout sessions will provide participants an opportunity to engage in discussions and hands-on demonstrations with researchers, technical specialists and educators who will share their perspectives on methods to improve soil quality in various cropping systems, and describe assessment and monitoring strategies. A general session panel will explore the role of soil quality in efforts to maintain a viable agricultural land base.
Who should attend: NRCS and SWCD conservation planners, Extension staff, crop consultants, field representatives, soil scientists, soil quality specialists, federal, state and county agency agricultural staff, farmers and ranchers, as well as third party certifiers and inspectors.
The Oregon Health licencing Agency (OHLA) has approved this event for 11 credit hours!
Click here for more info or to REGISTER for SQN2012
SQN2012 Early bird registration deadline has been extended to February 8th. Don’t wait, register now!
Members $135 early $225 after Feb 8
Nonmembers $185 early $225 after Feb 8
Students $50
DoubleTree has extended room reservation to January 30. Don’t wait, reserve a room now!
$113 plus tax through Jan 30
$189 and up after Jan 30
SQN 2012 Planning Committee meeting
Please Join us for this event. For more information click the following link: http://smallfarms.oregonstate.
Event time: Wednesday December 7, 2012 8:30AM Pacific Time
Important Update on OR House Bill 3647
Subject: Update from the State of Oregon
Good morning soils professionals,
You are probably aware that the Land Conservation and Development Commission will be considering the adoption of rule amendments for certain soils assessments on agricultural land at its October 6-7 meeting in Grants Pass. We understand that this is a new process and as soils professionals you are certain to have questions about how it will work. We have done our best to streamline the process for landowners and soils professionals. Attached is a copy of the proposed rule amendments intended to implement House Bill 3647, which you received in a previous email. Also attached is a fact sheet that should answer many of your questions and hopefully allay some of your concerns. If you have any questions or comments on the draft rule amendments, please contact me or direct written comments to the commission in care of Casaria Tuttle atcasaria.r.tuttle@state.or.us. The staff report will be available online later this week under Public Meetings on the department home page.
Thank you.
Katherine
Attachments:
Item_05_Attachment_A_Draft_Rules
Soils Assessment Fact Sheet final
Katherine Daniels, AICP | Farm and Forest Lands Specialist
Planning Services Division
Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development
635 Capitol Street NE, Suite 150 | Salem, OR 97301-2540
Office:(503) 373-0050 ext. 329 | Fax:(503) 378-5518
katherine.daniels@state.or.us |www.oregon.gov/LCD
Hot Off the Press: Fall 2011 Sharpshooter
Catch up on all the OSSS happenings with the latest Fall 2011 Sharpshooter.
Jory: The OFFICIAL Oregon State Soil
Hip Hip Hooray! Jory is in! Thanks to all of OSSS and friends supporting Jory through the legislative process over the last ten years!
Check out the NRCS press release:

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