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K-State Today

August 16, 2013

K-State agronomy researcher Sweeney to be honored

Submitted by Mary Lou Peter

Kansas State University agronomy professor Dan Sweeney has been named a Crop Science Society of America fellow for 2013. He will be honored at the annual Crop Science Society of America meeting in Tampa, Fla., in November.

The fellow designation is the highest recognition bestowed by the society. Members nominate colleagues based on their professional achievements and meritorious service. Achievements in teaching, extension and industrial education and in investigative competency, as well as leadership are among those considered. In any given year, a maximum of 0.3 percent of the Crop Science Society of America membership can be designated a fellow of the society.

Sweeney, who is based at the K-State Southeast Agricultural Research Center in Parsons, has focused his research on fertilizer application, tillage and irrigation to improve row crop and forage production on claypan soils — the types of soil prevalent in southeast Kansas. He also has studied environmental issues such as land application of municipal solid waste compost and animal manures for row crop production, plant-based remediation of contaminated soil, and nutrient losses in surface runoff after turkey litter applications.

He has published numerous scientific articles, authored publications and been a presenter at many K-State Research and Extension events designed to convey research findings to agricultural producers. 

Sweeney, who earned a master’s degree from Purdue University and a doctorate from the University of Florida, currently serves as editor of the online scientific journal Crop Management, and was a technical editor for row crops with Agronomy Journal.

He is one of the very few scientists who have the distinction of being named fellow of the three professional societies:  the American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America and the Crop Science Society of America.

"It is rather rare, indeed," said Sara Uttech, member communications manager with the Crop Science Society of America, who counted a total of just 43 individuals — living and deceased — who have received the distinction of fellow of all three societies, during the more than half a century that all three have been in existence.