62 Group Check In 12JAN2026

Date: January 12, 2026

62.1 Attendees

Lakeville Area Schools: Overlaps with old till physiographic unit, currently on board
Orono Schools: Located near Lake Minnetonka with one large campus, has expressed interest in partnership including educational component
Maplewood/Oakdale/North St. Paul School District: Covers East St. Paul Metro area including Washington County on east side of metro where coverage has been limited. Meeting scheduled to discuss project details. District has undergone recent renovations and rebuilding, providing fresh grounds for soil development perspective

Meeting planned with Nic to discuss fieldwork logistics and availability
Team availability confirmation requested for summer fieldwork planning
Brianna: Interested in participating, will discuss position with Nic, likely focusing on data entry while helping with fieldwork a couple times per week
Genevieve: Will be around in some capacity but summer schedule uncertain
Ava: Summer plans undetermined
Patty: NRCS can provide helpers on days when team is short-staffed
Undergraduate help expected, potentially including returning staff from previous season and Julia

Classroom session planned to review description sheets and ensure consistent methodology across team
Texture calibration session using samples covering full spectrum (Ava has materials prepared)
Practice field days to ease into fieldwork, avoiding previous issue where field review days threw new team members into complex situations
Goal is dedicated practice time in field before intensive work begins

Plan to incorporate more bulk density sampling this season
May not be conducted at every site but will gather important data where feasible

Team working through 2024 and 2025 pedons with various classification and analysis tasks
Discussion of methodological approaches and need for systematic documentation

Continuing work on general particle size class classification for soil taxonomy at family level
Will maintain current focus on this task

Working on particle size classification
Tracking thicknesses used in calculations on Google Sheets
Has entered previous data and continues updating as work progresses
May take on additional HTM (human-transported material) specific particle size analysis after completing 2025 pedons
Will use weighted averages or weighted texture values systematically
Will follow up via email to clarify approach, which may vary depending on amount of HTM found
For pedons with 150 centimeters of HTM, detailed analysis may not be necessary as it would match family-level particle size class, though comprehensive coverage may still be valuable

Adam currently reviewing each pedon for anthrodensic indicators, noting 2-3 pieces of evidence in pedon notes
Making recommendations for horizon changes (adding D designation where appropriate)
Will create formal list of criteria used for calling something anthrodensic
List will be added to Box document where key is located
Patty reviewed Adam’s notes on 2024 pedons, will address comments and add notes to NASIS as needed

Adam will develop better justification for wet criteria and evaluate potential changes

Current approach: Based on field descriptions and observations
Patty noted some soils may be HTM in part but not fully meet criteria, raising question of how to classify partial HTM
Discussion of challenges around inconsistent documentation in older pedon descriptions where HTM features may not have been noted
Team discussed need for more scientific, systematic approach rather than averaging or estimating
Recognition that some pedons may have been classified as non-HTM when they should have been HTM due to incomplete field observations

Adam reviewing components, correlations, and DMU (delineation map unit) assignments
Checking consistency and appropriateness of classifications
Will reach out to individual team members with specific questions as issues arise

Adam: Schedule regular meeting with Nic regarding fieldwork planning
Adam: Create formal list of anthrodensic criteria and add to Box document
Adam: Develop better justification for aquic (wet) criteria
Adam: Continue reviewing components, correlations, and DMU assignments
Adam: Reach out to team members individually regarding specific classification questions
Brianna: Follow up via email to clarify HTM particle size analysis approach
Brianna: Consider taking on HTM-specific particle size work after completing 2025 pedons
Patty: Review Adam’s 2024 pedon notes and add necessary notes to NASIS
Patty: Compile list of NRCS helpers available for fieldwork support
Team: Confirm summer fieldwork availability as plans develop
All: Prepare for pre-season training sessions including classroom review and field practice days