PROFESSIONAL SOIL CLASSIFIERS ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA
MINUTES – 2004 ANNUAL MEETING
The 2004 Annual Meeting of the PSCAA was held on May 6-7, 2004 at the Autauga County Agricultural Service Center in Autaugaville, Alabama
President Sandy Page called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. and welcomed the 36 members and guests present.
The business meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Sandy Page. The minutes and financial report for 2003-2004 were presented by George Martin, Sec.-Treas. and accepted as read.
Committee Reports were called for and presented as follows:
1. Scholarship Committee – Dr. Joey Shaw, Chair
Dr. Shaw presented two options regarding the awarding of the PSCAA Scholarship:
a. Rotate the award among the three Land-grant Universities, or
b. Present the award to a member of the Soil Judging Team
After much discussion, MacArthur Harris presented a motion stating that the $500
Scholarship should be rotated, alphabetically, among the Land-Grant Universities in Alabama and awarded to a Senior-level student who is an Alabama resident. Additionally, the first award would be granted in the Fall Semester of 2004.
The motion was seconded by Lawrence McGhee and was approved by voice vote. Dr. Shaw then stated that he would contact Dr. Monday Mbila of Alabama A&M University and request that he select a qualified student for the first Scholarship Grant. Pres. Page requested that Dr. Shaw remain as Chair of the committee and appointed Charles Love and Chris Ford as members.
2. Public Relations & Education Committee – John Burns, Chair
Mr. Burns reported no activity but indicated that he would begin work on developing a
poster that could be used to publicize the PSCAA and the profession at meetings and public events. John was asked to remain as Chair of the committee. Angela Warden and Sylvia Long volunteered to serve on the committee.
3. Nominations Committee – Ken Johnson, Chair
Ken Johnson was not present, but had submitted the names of Johnny Trayvick, for Sec.-
Treas. elect and Chris Ford for President-elect prior to the meeting.
4. Ethics Committee – Lawrence McGhee, Chair
No activity reported.
5. Membership Committee – Chris Ford, Chair
No activity reported.
6. Examination Committee – Joey Shaw, Chair
Dr. Shaw reported that the Exam was scheduled for June 15, 2004, but he was not aware of
any applications having been received to-date.
7. Constitution & By-Laws Committee – Christie White, Chair
No activity reported.
New Business
President Page opened the floor to new business after the Committee reports. The first order of new business was the election of officers. Pres. Page presented the names of Chris Ford for President-elect and Johnny Trayvick for Sec.-Treas.-elect as submitted by the Nominations Committee. He then opened the floor for nominations, but no nominations were presented.
A motion to accept the nominees by acclamation was made by Charles Love and seconded by MacArthur Harris. The motion carried and Chris Ford and Johnny Trayvick were elected to be President and Sec.-Treas.-elect, respectively. They will assume their 2-year term as President and Sec.-Treas. at the close of the 2005 Annual Meeting.
The next item brought forth by Pres. Page concerned the Smithsonian Soils Exhibit and the need for PSCAA support of the project to help meet the minimum $10,000 donation required to ensure the inclusion of the Alabama State Soil monolith in the exhibit. Charles Love indicated that he was a member of a state-wide committee, Chaired by Kirk Iverson, charged with the task of seeking donations to meet or exceed the minimum $10,000 goal. After much discussion, it was agreed that the Association would support the project and would try to raise $1,000 to be donated in the name of the Association. A motion to establish a “Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Committee” was presented by Johnny Trayvick and seconded by Chris Ford. The motion carried by voice vote. Pres. Page appointed Lawrence McGhee to Chair the committee and appointed George Martin and Charles Love to serve on the committee. The Committee was charged with the task of soliciting donations from PSCAA members and others to acquire a minimum of $1,000 in donations.
President Page next presented a motion to award Honorary Lifetime Membership to Dr. Ben Hajek, Dr. Richard Guthrie, and Dr. Joe Hood in honor of their long and valued service to the Professional Soil Classifiers Association of Alabama and to the Soil Science Profession. The motion was seconded by George Martin and carried by voice vote. Honorary Lifetime Membership Certificates were then presented to Dr. Hajek and Dr. Guthrie, who were in attendance.
Pres. Page next recognized Dr. Richard Guthrie and Greg Brannon for their years of exceptional service on the Advisory Council to the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. Each was presented a plaque from the PSCAA and a Letter of Appreciation from the State Board.
Other Business
Mr. Earl Norton was recognized and invited the group to the annual meeting of the Soil & Water Conservation Society of Alabama on June 2-4, 2004 in Opelika. Mr. Norton also informed the group of SWCS sponsored field days on Sediment and Erosion Control to be held in September 2004.
Dr. Joey Shaw was recognized and informed the group that Auburn University was going to host both the SE Regional and the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contests. He requested that the Association contribute $1,100 to sponsor the banquet to be held for students and coaches participating in the Regional Contest. A motion that the PSCAA contribute $1,100 to sponsor the banquet for the SE Regional Collegiate Soil Judging Contest was presented by Grant Mattox and seconded by George Martin. The motion carried by voice vote.
Mr. Mike Patrick was recognized and informed the group that there was no listing currently in the Yellow Pages for Professional Soil Classifiers, Soil Scientists, or Percolation Tests and he felt that it would increase business opportunities for Soil Classifiers if there were such listings. Most in attendance agreed with Mr. Patrick. He agreed to work with the Sec.-Treas. to draft a letter to the Yellow Pages requesting that they provide listing categories for Professional Soil Classifiers, Soil Scientists, and Percolation Tests.
Christie White was recognized and brought forth for discussion a proposal to establish a Certified Soil Tester program under the auspices of the PSCAA. After some discussion, the proposal was tabled pending further study.
Pres. Page and Sec.-Treas. Martin reminded members that Association dues are due on January 1 of each year and should be mailed to the Sec.-Treas. on or about that date rather than being paid at the Annual Meeting. The Sec.-Treas. indicated that he would send out reminders.
There being no further business, the Business Meeting was adjourned.
Technical Session -- 3:00 p.m.
1) Cindy House-Pearson, Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, presented a brief update on Sec. 404 Wetland Regulations. She informed the group that Art Hosey, a co-worker, had retired on Jan. 2, 2004. One important change in regulations mentioned was that isolated wetlands such as Grady ponds, potholes, etc.. were no longer regulated under Sec. 404 of the Clean Water Act. Ms. House-Pearson informed members that more detailed information concerning the regulations and operating procedures could be found on the COE Website at
2) Jerry Brace, Coordinator of Harvest, Site, and Inventory, International Paper Co., Inc. presented a program on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program. He indicated that this program had 130 million acres enrolled in 2002 and is among the world’s largest sustainable Forestry & Certification Programs. The program is run by an independent, non-profit Sustainable Forestry Board. Mr. Brace stated that the program uses soil resource information to assist in protecting soil and water quality and to sustain productivity.
3) David Gray, ADPH, presented a brief update on the status of the proposed changes to the Onsite Sewage Rules and Regulations. He indicated that the draft Rules should be available for public comment by July 2004 and encouraged members to check the ADPH website and submit comments as appropriate.
4) Greg Brannon, PSC, Pangaea Environmental Services, Inc. presented a brief discussion on soil mapping for Onsite Evaluation. He also provided examples of maps developed for such work.
5) Charles Love, SSS/MO Leader, USDA-NRCS provided a brief update on soil survey activities in Alabama. He said that three counties (Lamar, Lowndes, and Winston) were unmapped and had no soil survey in progress. He also stated that NRCS had recently hired three entry-level soil scientists who were assigned to Bibb County, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa.
6) Sandy Page provided a brief overview of the next days’ Field Tour.
The meeting adjourned at about 4:30 p.m. and the group rejoined for dinner at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Prattville.
May 7 -- Field Trip
The field tour included stops at six soil pits and two stops to view onsite disposal systems utilizing mounds and drip emitter technology. Discussion focused on soil properties important in the evaluation of soils for use as sites for onsite waste disposal systems and way to overcome the soil limitations.
Meeting adjourned in the field.
George Martin
Secretary-Treasurer