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Glenn Stanisewski, Soil Resource Specialist, NRCS, Davis, CA
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- Marketing Soil Survey
Glenn Stanisewski, Soil Resource Specialist, NRCS, Davis, CAI believe the only thing that is typical of our workloads (as Resource Soil Scientists) is how atypical they can be. Differences in the natural resource base (as described by MLRAs), applicable conservation programs, and regional and state priorities can result in large differences in workloads between Resource Soil Scientists from Region to Region and from State to State. Also, differences in the way states’ build and organize their soils staffs and administer their soil survey programs has a profound effect on what the workloads turn out to be. What we have in common as Resource Soil Scientists though are the abilities, skills, and experience needed in order to successfully carry out the soil survey program and our agency’s mission. As a Resource Soil Scientist located at a State office, there are some things which a Field or Area office soil scientist may not get involved with. Some examples are: Technical lead in Quality Control/Quality Assurance for SSURGO certification of Soil Surveys, the formation and coordination of MOAs (Memoranda Of Agreements) for reimbursable projects with state and other federal agencies, and assisting the State Soil Scientist in the scheduling, coordinating, and analyzing of the annual SSURGO workload. Also, I am often asked to be a member of state wide training cadres to instruct Area and Field Office staff in such areas as: Hydric Soils, Wetland Determinations, Water Quality, and Nutrient and Pest Management. However, Resource Soil Scientists regardless of where we are located need to possess certain skills. An ability to take an interdisciplinary approach in working with other specialists (e.g. Agronomists, Resource Conservationists, Water Quality Specialists) in addressing natural resource concerns is essential. Also possessing a set of multi-disciplinary skills in having the ability to see how soils data, information affects all of the natural resource concerns, and how to apply soils knowledge in addressing these concerns is equally important. Today, Resource Soil Scientists must have a working knowledge of the concepts of Water Quality, Water Quality Impacts and Concerns, and how soils data/information relates to Water Quality. In California and most of the arid and semi-arid West, Resource Soil Scientists need to have an understanding of Air Quality concerns and how the combination of soil properties and land use activities impact and influence Air Quality issues. Resource Soil Scientists should be able to see the connections between the social-economic impacts of urban sprawl and farmland conversion and the subsequent natural resource concerns of wildlife habitat and bio-diversity losses. These are just a few examples of the Natural Resources “Big Picture” which Soil Resource Specialists need to be able to grasp and help provide answers and solutions to. Marketing Soil SurveyGary B. Muckel, NSSC Marketing wraps into most responsibilities for all soil scientists. Products including soil maps and text target various purposes and audiences. All soil products aim toward ”Helping People Understand Soils.” The Soil Survey Division implements an outreach program and builds alliances with potential users of soil survey information. Town hall meetings that are held regionally for on-farm contacts with users provide customer contacts and feedback into the needs and formats for soil survey information. The National Cooperative Soil Survey is built around partnerships and addressing user needs. These tenants are successful marketing tools and have led to the continued existence of the soil survey in the US. The challenge is to strengthen these efforts and build new alliances for new applications. Marketing is a process of organized thought and action that helps achieve product or organizational goals. Our organizational goal is to help people conserve, improve, and sustain our natural resources and environment. Marketing is divided into passive and active forms. Every interaction is passive marketing. The way you answer the phone, timeliness of your assistance, quality of your help, professionalism of your staff, and appearance of you, your products, and office are passive marketing. Create an image that appeals to the interests and desires of key audiences within our agency and through all potential users of our information. Active marketing is a focused effort, requires customer involvement, supports agency goals, and is organized with several steps as a plan. The steps are: 1) Prepare a goal statement; 2) Identify target groups; 3) Research the target clients and the conditions; 4) With the client, identify specific objectives; 5) Develop your market position; 6) Develop strategic and tactical plans; 7) Implement the action plan; and 8) Evaluate the plan. These steps are similar to the Memorandum of Understandings for soil surveys and to conservation plans. Marketing focuses efforts and resources, increases efficiency, and support agency missions. The spin-offs are greater exposure and increased support. The following goals and target groups are suggested for yearly marketing efforts. The list will be presented to the National Soil Survey Conference in June. State Soil Scientists are encouraged to respond to the list and offer suggestions for different goals and target audiences.
Marketing is working with and helping people understand soils. Directory: Internet -> FSE DOCUMENTS FSE DOCUMENTS -> Applications and limitations FSE DOCUMENTS -> Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard FSE DOCUMENTS -> Downloading gps gr-3 Surveys Summary of Procedure FSE DOCUMENTS -> All applications must be submitted by 12/01/2015 to be eligible FSE DOCUMENTS -> Indiana Conservation Programs for Copperbelly Water Snake Habitat FSE DOCUMENTS -> Administrator’s Corner FSE DOCUMENTS -> United States Department of Agriculture • Natural Resources Conservation Service FSE DOCUMENTS -> United States Department of Agriculture Soule River Hydroelectric Project FSE DOCUMENTS -> Ottawa national forest: checklist of the vascular flora of the mccormick wilderness Download 0.65 Mb. Share with your friends:
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