Newswise — Recognizing his strong support for agriculture and the conservation of Colorado's and the nation's lands, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), received the 2008 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award presented by the Soil Science Society of America on July 17.
A fifth generation Coloradan, Senator Salazar grew up on a ranch in Colorado's San Luis Valley where his family has farmed and ranched the land since homesteading. The Senator serves on both the Agriculture and Energy and Natural Resources Committees where he is known as a champion for well-informed and science-based development of soil and water resources. His support for the 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs was critical to building awareness in the Senate about the value and promise of soil conservation across the nation.
"It is a great honor to present the Soil Science Society of America's 2008 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award to Senator Ken Salazar," said SSSA President Gary A. Peterson, Colorado State University. "As a farmer and rancher, Senator Salazar has learned the importance of proper soil management to ensuring the long-term productivity of agricultural lands."
Peterson presented the award to Senator Salazar at a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol and was joined by the leadership of SSSA and the Crop Science Society of America, both scientific societies based in Madison, Wis.
"The Soil Science Society of America provides an important forum for exchange of knowledge and ideas among soil scientists worldwide," said Senator Salazar upon receiving the award. "As conditions and practices change, soil science research will be critical to helping ensure that America's farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to provide the food and fiber we depend on. You all do important work in this area, and I look forward to our continued partnership. I am honored to accept this award."
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive, international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of soil science .SSSA provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.
SSSA supports its members by providing quality research-based publications, educational programs, annual meetings, certifications, and science policy initiatives via a Washington, D.C. Science Policy Office. For more information, visit http://www.soils.org.
SSSA is the founding sponsor of a 5,000-square foot exhibition, "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil," which opened July 19, 2008 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
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