J. Thomas Sims selected for Soil Science Society honor

J. Thomas Sims

J. Thomas Sims, plant and soil sciences, has received the Soil Science Applied Research Award from the Soil Science Society of America. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in applying research principles to practical problems in soil science.

A fellow of the society, he has served as president of the its Northeastern Branch, which presented him the its Outstanding Research Award in 1996. He also has chaired its Division of Soils and Environmental Quality.

A national authority on soil testing and nutrient and waste management, Sims has developed and implemented environmentally sound soil and waste management programs for agriculture, industry and municipalities. He has worked with production agriculture to maximize yields while minimizing the environmental impact of nutrients on ground and surface waters. He also has explored environmentally efficient uses for agricultural, municipal and industrial byproducts as soil amendments.

Sims, who received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Georgia and a doctorate from Michigan State University, joined the UD faculty in 1982 and serves as director of UD's soil testing program.

A fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Sims is a member of the Soil and Plant Analysis Council and served as associate editor of the Journal of Environmental Quality from 1994 to 2000.