The Future Soil Science StudentsThe Future Soil Science Students(statement or question?)(statement or question?)

Nick BalsterNick BalsterDepartment of Soil ScienceDepartment of Soil Science

University of Wisconsin - MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison

2007 NRCS NRSS National Conference2007 NRCS NRSS National Conference““Soil Survey — Future Directions in Soil Health and Supporting Productive Lands”Soil Survey — Future Directions in Soil Health and Supporting Productive Lands”

June 2007June 2007

• July 2006 “Soil Science Journal”• Baveye and others, 2006• At Cornell

• 1903 – 2 grads PhD in Soil Science• 1909 – Department of Soil Science• Other Departments of Soil Science founded ~ 1900• In 2006 – faculty voted to eliminate “Soil and Crop Sciences Major”)• < ½ graduate students in soils than 10 years ago• Courses and labs filled with other disciplines

• Do other institutions in U.S. and Canada face similar situation?• Is so, how severe?• What appears to be the cause?• Is the decline necessarily bad?• What can be done if viewed as “bad”?

• 1992 – SSSA Education Committee – survey of SS education U.S. and Canada• 2004 – Authors carry out another survey

1.) Significant decline in enrollment2.) 40% less M.S. and PhD students enrolled3.) Percentage of Foreigners/Nationals about

the same, except for female masters4.) More females in masters than PhD5.) More Foreigners in PhD than masters6.) 10% decrease in Foreign students overall7.) Greater balance between male and female

What they found…What they found…

Baveye et al. 2006

- 42% decrease in enrollment from 1992- 42% decrease in enrollment from 1992

Baveye et al. 2006

• Department of Land, Air, and Water ResourcesDepartment of Land, Air, and Water ResourcesUniversity of California DavisUniversity of California Davis(23 to 47 students – most in Masters)(23 to 47 students – most in Masters)

Baveye et al. 2006

Baveye et al. 2006

Possible Causes??Possible Causes??

• Departments continue to emphasize agricultureDepartments continue to emphasize agriculture• Previous data argues against better profit-driven disciplinesPrevious data argues against better profit-driven disciplines• Our view may be too narrowOur view may be too narrow• Soil viewed by public as having no intrinsic valueSoil viewed by public as having no intrinsic value• Limited training in the fundamental sciencesLimited training in the fundamental sciences• Failure to promote and market disciplineFailure to promote and market discipline

SSSA Advocacy/Education Task Force

Action Plan:•Summarize Data•Engage Social Scientist with interpretation•Engage SSSA members – e.g. annual meetings•Develop an advocacy action plan (2009)

Need More and Better Data:•Student enrollment trends?•Major issues involving soils in next 10 years?•Recognition of Soil Science as discipline?•Job market?•Introductory soils courses?•Curriculum?

SSSA Advocacy/Education Task Force

Preliminary conclusions:•Student enrollment decreasing•Faculty positions decreasing•Broader application courses•Job opportunities strong

We need help!•NRCS•NSCSS•Other soils related organizations