Soil Physics, Hydrology, and Agricultural System Modeling: A Rewarding Research Area.

I am truly humbled by the organization of this symposium by my colleagues. I have truly enjoyed working in the areas of soil physics, hydrology, and agricultural system modeling. I will briefly share with you what inspired me to work in these areas, work through the Tri-Societies to promote trans-disciplinary research and system modeling, and how this work has brought me a feeling of accomplishment and a source of joy, that will continue in retirement. I would like to emphasize that essentially all my work was done in collaborations with my colleagues, many of you. Whatever contributions I have been able to make, would not have been possible without these collaborations. Therefore, I feel very fortunate and grateful to all of you I have worked with and to ARS for providing me the opportunities for working with you. I am also grateful to many of you did not work with, but who led the way and inspired me, as giants before us.