In recent years, OSSS has shifted to a different membership model than the past. Now, membership costs are factored in to the cost of attendance at our events. This means that if you attend an event at any time throughout the year, you’re a member of the organization!
This was established to encourage active participation in OSSS; what makes this organization great is the community aspect of showing up to our events to chat with new and old soil scientists (like seeing a brand-new entisol and a wonderfully aged ultisol all in one day!) and spending time outside seeing unique soil pits around the state. Long-time OSSS’er and former board member Shannon Cappellazzi said it best:
As a fellow soil enthusiast, I would like to encourage you to become a member of the Oregon Society of Soil Scientists. Membership allows our society to continue to fulfill our mission. I have been a member of OSSS since I was in graduate school at OSU in 2012. For me, the society has provided the setting (often campfires and soil pits) for me to build relationships with soil scientists who I would not have otherwise met. These relationships have led to new job opportunities, grant funding, and a special comradery among people who have a passion for soil. Consider joining OSSS and growing your soil network. – Shannon Cappellazzi, OSSS Secretary
Although the method of becoming a member has changed, the benefits of being a part of this incredible community are the same.
Our membership is drawn from federal employees, county agents, environmental stewards, agricultural producers, university students, researchers and educators, and so many others along the continuum. Our diversity gives us strength, our passion brings us together, and soil connects us all.
Your attendance at our events supports our ability for meet our mission by maintaining our non-profit status and website, paying for insurance, and encouraging the next generation of soil scientists through our scholarship opportunities.
We encourage all of the soil enthusiasts in Oregon to join us at our next event!
Not quite ready to join, but want to stay informed? Sign up for the mailing list.
Partner with OSSS
There are many other organizations that work in intimate relation to soil, but may identify more with another organization. We want to learn from your expertise, join us! Or, encourage your professional organization to become an OSSS partner organization. We can work together to put on meetings, host speakers, or connect our members and our ecosystems by sharing event information.
Check out the rest of the site, and if you have more questions about what membership is about, send an email to osss.pres@gmail.com.