North Carolina State University is a leader is Soils, Water Control, Wetlands and other environmental issues that are becoming more important and our population grows. "Green" is everywhere in our personal and professional lives today.
I recently met with four departments heads at NCSU and they are requesting the help of our real estate industry to help advance their calling. This is an excellent opportunity for us all. I have "cut and pasted" Dr. David Crouse's request.
They have a very short questionnaire that you will see and can link to. Please take a few moments and fill it out.
Also review their many programs that are available.
Thank you,
Lou Jewell ALC
To say the urban and rural environment in the United States is changing is perhaps the greatest understatement I have ever spoken. As a member of the real estate industry, you are on the front-line, witnessing first hand this change in land use. Land that once supported the traditional crops of corn, cotton and soybeans is now the fertile breeding grounds for the U.S.'s new number one crop...houses.
Suburban developments are frequently built in rural areas where sewage must be disposed of on-site, usually using septic systems placed in each home lot. In addition, wetlands have to be filled or drained to make room for the development. Soil scientists are hired by land developers to identify suitable soils for waste disposal, and also to identify wetland boundaries. The size of the development, or the number of homes that can be built in a given area, are frequently determined by the soil conditions. Finding just another 1/2 acre of usable land may result in the creation of an additional lot that ultimately will create a higher return on the original investment.
Due to the environmental sensitivity of some ecosystems, there is a growing trend in the U.S. to require a certified level of competency in order to evaluate soils for residential development. In North Carolina, a licensing law ensures that only soil scientists are allowed to evaluate soil conditions for real estate projects. In the southern U.S., Virginia, Georgia, and Texas have or are in the process of enacting licensing programs for soil scientists.
As you can imagine, as urban sprawl continues, the demand for practicing soil scientists increases. Keeping up with this demand will be both a challenge and opportunity. For private enterprises, it will be a challenge to provide services to all in need, which in turn will present the opportunity to grow the business. State universities are going to be challenged to for us to sufficient numbers of graduates to meet the increased job demand. At the same time, we at NC State University see it as an opportunity for us to evaluate needs and develop research, extension and academic programs accordingly.
Already, the Department of Soil Science is expanding in new directions.
For example, we have recently implemented an Internet-based Masters of Soil Science that is ideal for working professionals unable to regularly travel to campus. The purpose of this program is to assist professionals in achieving the status of Licensed Soil Scientist. Similarly we are exploring a new undergraduate major focused on Soil and Land Development. Before we can finalize our plans for this new degree we need to document the need. This is where you can help.
We have developed a summary of the proposed curriculum and ask that you take a few minutes to review the structure of the courses. It is available on our web site at http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/mail/survey/index.htm As you review the information, please keep in mind our goal is to produce soil scientists that are best suited to assist you in land deals and development. Once you have reviewed the document, please take a few more minutes to complete the eleven question on-line survey. It is linked from the document or can be accessed directly at:
http://ceres.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/Form.cfm?testID=4062
These are exciting times for our department and we want to make sure we keep you informed of the changes as they occur. We want to inform you of our latest research efforts and share with you training opportunities we have available. The best way for us to maintain contact with you is to request that you complete an on-line mailing list form. Your privacy is important to us so let me assure you that the information you provide will never be sold to a third party and will be used only for the purpose of sharing with you soil science related information. At this time, I ask you to visit the web address http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/mail/ and complete the form.
We hope to hear from you soon and thank you in advance for your assistance with our short survey!
David
Dr. David Crouse 919 515 7302
Associate Professor of Soil Science
NC State University
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