Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists

To Advance The Knowledge And Wise Use Of Our Soil Resources

Friday night's steak dinner was attended by 31 people. Thanks to Jeff Lamb's and Scott Paine's biker friend for providing the cooker.

The Saturday float trip was very pleasant as members brought good food (again, that is Tom chomping down of ice cold watermelon provided by Dave Skaer, I think), the water was pleasant and refreshing, and the fish were moderately cooperative. In fact, Grant Butler and his daughter and her friend were having so much fun.

Results of the first annual (maybe) MAPSS Ultimate Fishing Contest were as follows:

Best Fisherman - Scott Paine (he provided the Judge with liquid refreshments all day)

Biggest Fish - Tony Dohmen (he was President, power counts)

worst Fish - Dave Skaer's nephew (what can we say, Dave was coaching him)

worst Cast - Dennis Potter (no surprise there)

Thanks to Scott Paine for helping set up this years float and make your plans now to attend next year's float.

GOOD JOB TONY!!
1994-1995 MAPSS PRESIDENT

COMMENTS ON CERTIFICATION

The following comments are only my expressed opinion and good only for stimulating thought, conversation and action and are are not the views of the entire membership of MAPSS.

MAPSS has finally taken the big step of beginning to certify individuals as Professional Soil Classifiers. This is indeed a needed undertaking in the state of Missouri and who indeed, better to certify individuals, than MAPSS.

There are many pitfalls standing in the way of certification, the first being the members themselves. It seems to me that Dave Skaer, almost single handedly, brought forth this endeavor. Dave is not going to be able to run the certification process by himself. Checking qualifications, keeping up with continuing education credits, certificates and finances is a major undertaking. MAPSS members have not shown themselves, as a group, to be willing to share in work. The same willing individuals are forced to take on job after job.

A second major pitfall may well be the success of the certification program. The responsibilities of those running the program may be few with 20 people wanting to be certified, but will be major with 200 people wanting to be certified. Some counties may well view MAPSS certification as a primary way to make sure someone is qualified to do on-sites. The workload may explode. Add into this resolving complaints with 200 certified classifiers and it may become a full time job.

By the way, I do wish the program good luck.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS