Department of Soil Science

Historical State Timelines
Department of Soil Science
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1880s

10/1889 First agronomy courses offered

Agronomy courses were offered when the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts opened.

1920s

5/20/1927 Agronomy survey conducted

Students in the Agronomy 135 course, Farm Terracing, spent the day outside doing lab work, including surveying the land in preparation for planning tile drains.

North Carolina State College agricultural students locating terrace on campus, Raleigh, May 20, 1927North Carolina State College agricultural students locating terrace on campus, Raleigh, May 20, 1927

1950s

1956 Department of Agronomy divided

The Department of Agronomy was divided into the Department of Field Crops and the Department of Soils.

1960s

1962 Department of Soils renamed

The Department of Soils was renamed the Department of Soil Science.

1980s

1989 Soil science history published

Ralph J. McCracken published his book The History of Soil Science at North Carolina State University. An updated version existed on the department's website.