About
Dr. Clay Robinson, Ph.D., CPSSc, PG
Education
| 1993 | Ph.D. | Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (Soil Science/Soil Management) |
| 1988 | M.S. | West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas (Agriculture) |
| 1984 | B.S. | West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas Magna cum Laude |
Experience
| 2007 - present | Professor of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science, West Texas A&M University |
| 2000 - 2007 | Associate Professor of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science, West Texas A&M University |
| 1994 - 1999 | Assistant Professor of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science, West Texas A&M University |
| 1993 - 1994 | Assistant Professor of Agriculture, Eastern New Mexico University |
| 1992 - 1993 | Agriculture Instructor, Farm Manager, Eastern New Mexico University |
| 1988 - 1992 | Teaching and Research Assistant, Iowa State University |
| 1986 - 1988 | Research and Teaching Assistant, West Texas State University |
| 1984 - 1986 | Research Technician, ARCO Seed Company, Triticale Division |
Professional Organizations
- American Society of Agronomy
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- Student Activities
- Resident Education
- Agronomy Fellowship
- ARCPACS Certified Professional Soil Scientist
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Certified Crop Advisor Information
- National Exam registration information
- Performance objectives (what to study)
- Study materials available
- Soil Science Society of America
- Soil and Water Conservation Society
- Gamma Sigma Delta
- Alpha Zeta
- National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture
- Teaching Philosophy
- Teaching is among the most critical professions in society. The rapidly growing knowledge base poses many challenges. How can I prepare students for a career that will last into the mid-21st century? Teaching is a passion and lifestyle for me, as much as breathing, worshiping God, or sharing Jesus Christ.
Teaching objectives
- Emphasize basic principles
- Encourage life-long learning
- Expose students to useful career resources
Teaching goals
- Develop communication skills
- Develop critical thinking
- Develop ability to synthesize principles with new information
- Encourage computer literacy
- Broaden horizons
Teaching tools
- Production projects
- Field trips
- Decision cases
- Group projects
- Contract grading system
- Exam reviews
Research Interests: Impact of agricultural management systems on soil properties
- Management systems include: cropping systems and rotations, tillage systems, range and grazing management, and grass species
- Soil properties include: organic and microbial carbon, nitrogen, soil physical properties, soil-water relations (infiltration, conductivity, holding capacity)
- Soil and water conservation: Developing/promoting systems (agricultural and others) that are environmentally sound and economically feasible for producers and their communities, at home and around the world.
- Systems more efficient in using/storing precipitation
- Conversion systems from irrigation to dryland production
Related Activities: I work with the Dryland Agriculture Institute which funds M.S. graduate research assistantships. The institute hosted anInternational Training Workshop in Sustainable Agroecosystems and Environmental Issues from 1994 through 2001.