11. First International Congress of Soil Science 1927

The First International Congress of Soil Science was held from 13th until 22nd of June 1927. The congress was organized by the International Society of Soil Science, the American Society of Agronomy, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Jacob Lipman and Curtis Marbut were the main organizers. The congress was attended by 507 people (366 from the USA) and there were 141 delegates from 31 countries; there were two women. Konstantin Glinka headed the Russian delegation, and with Curtis Marbut he was the pedologic leader of the congress. Jacob Lipman had made the program for the congress based on the recommendations of the six commissions. In total, 361 papers were received, with most for for the commission on Soil Biology and Biochemistry and the commission on Classification, Nomenclature, and Mapping of Soils. The congress included social events in Washington, day excursions, and was followed by a one-month excursion by train through 23 states and four Canadian Provinces. Over 200 people participated, and thirty-four stops were made, and twelve agricultural stations were visited. There were long discussions at the numerous soil profiles that were especially dug for the excursion or observed along road cuts. The congress and excursion were a success, forged a community of soil scientists, and became a model for successive soil congresses.