A History of SCS Soil Survey Division International Activities and the Soil Management Support Services Project.

From 1980 to 1991 the Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey Division’s international activities occurred under the auspices of the Soil Management Support Services (SMSS) program.  The SMSS was a program of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) implemented by the World Soil Resources office.  SMSS was formed with a goal to help land users manage and conserve their natural resources, improve their abilities to attain sustainable agriculture, and enhance their capabilities to address problems of food security, income generation, and the environment.   To achieve this goal the project focused on technology transfer to developing countries in soil survey methods, soil conservation and soil fertility management. The paper will describe the people and activities of SMSS and highlight the lasting impact the project has had on the soil survey programs of many countries.