The Soil Science Society of America has announced its newly elected leaders for the next office term, beginning January 2025.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Aaron Lee M. Daigh was elected president-elect for the Soil Science Society of America in April.
“Aaron Daigh has been a valuable contributor to SSSA for many years in many different capacities, so it’s a natural step for him to move into the role of president-elect,” said Jim Cudahy, CEO of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies. “His leadership will be instrumental in advancing SSSA’s mission and promoting the importance of soil science in addressing critical environmental issues.”
The elected president serves a three-year term as president-elect, president, and past president of SSSA, which will start in 2025 for Daigh. The elected president is also appointed as a voting member of the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies, which provides oversight on operations and coordination between the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and SSSA.
Daigh is an associate professor in the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture and Biological Systems Engineering and a courtesy associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health.
A vadose zone hydrologist and soil physicist, Daigh directs research on vadose zone water quality and the fate and transport of nutrients and chemicals in agricultural landscapes overlying major aquifers. His research and classroom instruction have covered topics such as the transfer of energy and matter in soils and the vadose zone, sources of spatial and temporal variability, water management, contamination, terrestrial remediation-reclamation-restoration of severely degraded lands and agronomy.
Daigh earned his doctorate in soil science and environmental science from Iowa State University. He received his master’s degree in crop, soil and environmental science and his bachelor’s in environmental, soil and water science from the University of Arkansas. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position.
As president-elect, Daigh will work closely with SSSA leadership to develop strategic initiatives, engage with stakeholders and promote the vital role of soil science in addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security and environmental degradation.
“I’m deeply committed to advancing soil science research, promoting sustainable land management practices, and fostering collaboration within the soil science community to help lead SSSA into the future,” Daigh expressed.
Daigh’s leadership within SSSA has included chair of the Annual Meetings Program Planning Committee that oversees the Joint International ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, elected member of the SSSA Board of Directors, numerous editorial boards for the society’s peer-review journals, numerous committees, and co-founder of several significant initiatives and committees to shape the future of the society. Daigh was co-chair of the SSSA Representation and Recognition Task Force, which received the SSSA Presidential Award in 2022 for past and current works.
