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 that they can go out in the field and read test pits.  These skills are required for the NHDES Designer field test to become a permitted Designer as well as those considering becoming a soils or wetlands scientist. This course is a first step in preparation for those license exams and careers.   

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

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

Online: September 26 - October 24, 2025

Field Training: Fridays, September 26 through October 24, 2025 at various test pit sites in the region. 9:00am to 4:00pm

Prerequisites: Experience reading test pits and basic soils knowledge, including understanding factors affecting soil formation.

Textbooks Required: Munsell Color Book (Forestry Supply or Amazon); Factors of Soil Formation; Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils downloadable PDF at https://nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Field-Book-for-Describing-and-Sampling-Soils-v4.pdf

Materials Required: Tape Measure, Soil Knife, Spade, Clip Board, Pencils

Resources Suggested: WebSoil Survey https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/; Soil Map App; Soil Web https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/soilweb-apps