Newswise — March 24, 2016 - In recognition of her support and advocacy for soils and leadership of the Congressional Soils Caucus, Congressman Cynthia Lummis was presented with the 2016 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award by the Soil Science Society of America. The award recognizes policy makers whose exemplary leadership has strengthened the U.S. agricultural enterprise and the natural resources that support it.
SSSA President, Harold Van Es, presented the award to Lummis. “Rep. Lummis is a champion of sustainable land management, and her leadership to the Congressional Soil Caucus has significantly raised the profile of this critical national resource in Washington,” said Van Es. Van Es is a professor at Cornell University.
“Soil quality, health and the science behind it is often overlooked, but it is absolutely essential for growing the food for our nation,” said Congressman Lummis. “Being a rancher all my life and always having my hands in the soils, I understand the importance of the land and soil on which we live and in which we grow our crops. I am honored by this award from the Soil Science Society of America and will continue to emphasize that healthy soil is the foundation for a healthy America.”
Lummis has been a chief leader of the Congressional Soils Caucus since becoming a member of Congress in 2009. Her stalwart support and advocacy for soils and soil science has made the Congressional Soils Caucus a productive and influential group.
Lummis co-leads the caucus with Congressmen Jim Costa, Thomas Rooney, and Jared Huffman. The mission of the Congressional Soils Caucus Alliance (CSCA) is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the role that soil and soil science play in addressing the most pressing issues facing our nation and the world. The Soils Caucus has organized many congressional education briefings and events that range many topics, such as land reclamation, wildfires, and connections between soils and wine.
Congressman Lummis serves as the Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's At-large district. During her tenure, she has been a member of many committees important to soils and scientific research, including the House Committee on Natural Resources, serving as Vice Chairman, and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Van Es was visiting Washington DC on National Ag Day with more than 65 other scientists and students in the fields of agronomy, crop, and soil science from around the country to build support for federally funded agricultural research during Congressional Visits Day.
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is an 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 and 1,000+ certified professionals dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. The Society 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, certifications, and science policy initiatives via a Washington, DC, office.
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