Wisconsin Earth Team Volunteers Still “Dig” Soil Science

Retired NRCS Soil Scientists Jim Barnes and Howie Lorenz continue to share their interest and enthusiasm for soil with students and teachers by donating their time as Earth Team volunteers in Wisconsin.  They exhibit throughout the State at conferences and give in-class, school presentations on one of the nation’s most precious resources — soil.

Just recently, Jim and Howie were in Green Bay, exhibiting at the 2007 Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST) conference — the largest organization of individuals in Wisconsin dedicated to the advancement of science education.  For ten years, an NRCS presence has been a tradition at the conference, that this year attracted over 700 participants.  The Web Soil Survey with its warehouse of information was a major attraction for the teachers who see it as an invaluable resource for their students.

Find out more about NRCS in Wisconsin.

Every year Jim and Howie have staffed an exhibit, continuing to volunteer into their retirement and enthusiastically sharing their knowledge with teachers, “we hope we are helping by teaching these soil lessons and demonstrating the on-line tools available to teachers,” Jim Barnes said; “and helping future students too,” Howie Lorenz added.
Your contact is Barb Jansen, NRCS visual information specialist, at 608-602-4422.