Mike Lilly Illustrator & Author

Delaney Johnson received his BS Degree in Soil Science from Alabama A and M University in 1983 and has later received his MS Degree from Alcorn State University in Agriculture with a concentration in Agronomy in 2022. Prior to serving as State Soil Scientist, he has classified and mapped soils in four states with location included in many Major Land Resource Areas and physiographic regions. Since retiring Delaney stays active with the agency by serving as a contractor to provide training, assisting with soil health efforts and working with conservation partners. He enjoys the outdoors, house repairs and new technology.

Mike Lilly earned his BS degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University in 1977. He was employed with the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service until his retirement in 2007. He served as Soil Survey Project Leader, Resource Soil Scientist, Assistant State Soil Scientist and finally State Soil Scientist in Mississippi. Additionally, heserved on the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils. Since retiring he volunteers with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He enjoys traveling and listening to Blues music.

Birl Lowery obtained his BS degree in agricultural education from Alcorn State University, an MA in agricultural engineering technology from Mississippi State University, and a PhD in soil physics from Oregon State University. He was a professor of soil science in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) for 35 years prior to his retirement in 2014. He was chair of the Department for five years and senior associate dean in the UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, motorcycling, camping, and traveling.

Jim Bockheim earned a BS in Forest Management, a MS in Plant & Soil Science at the University of Maine, and a PhD in forest soils at the University of Washington. He was professor of Soil Science at the Universityof Wisconsin in Madison from 1975 until his retirement in 2015. He has conducted soil investigations in many parts of the US and the world. Since retiring, he has been working with retired and active soil scientists from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other agencies to write about the soils of their state. He enjoys writing, reading, biking, photography, and traveling.