• July 17-18  Alberta Canada-Ag Canada Research Center
• Participants-Dennis Pittmann, washington State Univ Cooperative Extension.  Jerry Peterson, Farmer in Whitman Co., WA and Latah Co. Idaho.  Ron Kile, Whitman Co.  Dave Ruark, Garfeild Co.  Dennis Roe, USDA-NRCS, Pullman WA.
• Purpose-To improve our levels of proficiency in the area of soil quality. 
• Research-Much of the research focus at the Center is on the environment in the root zone and plant/root growth to inprove soil quality.

September

• September 6-20 China
• Participants- Thomas Lumpkin, Chair, Crops and Soils Sciences, Washington State Univ.
  Wiliam Pan, Soil Fertility Specialist, Crops adn Soils Sciences, Washington State Univ.
  Alan Busacca, Soil Scientist, Crops and Soils Sciences, Washington State Univ.
  Joe Aeschliman, Farmer/Board Member: Pacific NW Direct Seed Association.
  Dennis Roe, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service/adjunct scientist/WSU
  Jack Bell, Land Management Specialist, Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho
  Paulette Sandene, Foreign Agricultural Service, Washington D.C.
  Lin Huifang, Translater, International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R. of China
  Song Xuanyi, Translater, International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R. of China
• Purpose-Scientific Exchange Tour with scientists and farmers in the deep loess soil region in the Republic of China
• Photo information for Photo/China link
  1.  300mm- 750mm precipitation, 70 % of precipitation falls between June and October.
  2.  Severe erosion led to law that requires cover on slopes that are greater then 15%.
  3.  Presentations were made at each of the five universies and academies.
  4.  University staffs presented erosion research progress
  5.  Land steeper then 15 % slope is planted to trees, grasses, and orchards
  6.  Less fragile land is grass grazed, while steep mountains are not.
  7.  Small herds of goats have been introduced.
  8.  Corn on terrance at DaZhai stone was used.
  9.  Old terraces on slopes less than 15% show erosion.
  10.  New terraces at Zhidan from 1998, soy bean harvest.
  11.  Water approach by government to reduce erosion.
  12.  Top terraces at Zhidan with apron for water "harvesting".
  13.  New terraces with potatoes under plastic film.
  14.  Greenhouses for long season crops and fall and winter crops.
  15.  Institute of Soil and Water Conservation largest in world.
  16.  IWSC part of international research facility.