West Virginia University is hosting the 2002 joint meeting of the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America this week (July 14-17) on the Universitys Evansdale Campus.

Scientists and students from 12 states and five Canadian provinces have gathered in Morgantown to discuss issues related to sustainable agriculture, soil and water quality and soil and crop management. The event will feature a symposium with invited speakers, scientific papers on current work, a graduate student paper competition and a poster session.

The Northeastern Branch provides a forum for the interaction of persons interested in all aspects of crop and soil science and management. The branch comprises the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia, and the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

The program consists of over 30 scientific presentations, three tours of area agricultural facilities and an awards program. More than 75 members and visiting scholars are attending the three-day event.