Saturdays, October 14 - November 4, 2023;  8:00am-4:00pm
Week 1 & 2 - 8-10am at NHTI then at Test Pit locations
Week 3 & 4 - 8am-4pm at Test Pit locations

This course will assist natural resources professionals in gaining knowledge and skills relating to soils and reading soil test pits.  The purpose of this soils course is to introduce Natural Resources Professionals and those interested in the field a baseline of knowledge so they can go out inthe field and read test pits.  These skills are required for the NHDES Designer field test to become a permitted Designer as well as thos considering becoming a soils or wetlands scientist.  This course is a first step inpreparation for those license exams and careers.

As part of this course students will work in the field with a number of test pits as well as evaluate and be graded on the evaluation of a soil test pit that mimics a licensing exam.

The course is aimed at those wanting knowledge of how to read a test pit in order to work in soils industry.  This course will help th learner understand basic soil profiles, basic soil properties, parent materials, factors affecting soil formation, soil structure, consistence, and seasonal high-water table.

Prerequisite - Must be 16 years of age or older

Required Textbooks:  
Munsell Color Book
Factors of Soil Formation
Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils (order for free at  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field-book-for-describing-and-sampling-soils) 

Required Materials:
Tape measure; soil knife; spade; clip board; pencils