About Us
About Us
About the Program
The NAPT program operates as an activity of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). A NAPT Oversight Committee (SSSA S890) was established by SSSA to develop the program and oversee its operation. The objective of this committee is to develop program policies and technical guidelines for operating the NAPT.
As such, the Oversight Committee determines the sample exchange frequency and number of samples per exchange; specifications for material collection and preparation; selection of analytes to be tested and analytical methodologies performed; and specifications of statistical methods used to analyze the analytical data.
The Oversight Committee is also responsible for developing the program budget, recommending annual program fees, and developing promotional materials and workshops in cooperation with the NAPT coordinator. Other important roles of the NAPT Oversight Committee are to assist the SSSA in selecting the NAPT Coordinator who oversees daily operation of the program and a contract lab to prepare and distribute proficiency samples.
NAPT Program Participants
The NAPT program is a QA/QC opportunity for agricultural and environmental laboratories. Program participants receive quarterly blind and double-blind statistical evaluation of soil, plant, and water samples. Participants may also choose to receive samples twice a year, depending on the program they enroll in. Pricing and program details are available on the NAPT Information Sheet.
- There are four possible sample distributions (February, May, August, and November)
- All participants receive the same set of samples in accordance with their program
- Participants use test results to QA/QC their methodology
- Reference samples remaining after distribution are available for purchase at discounted prices
As a NAPT program participant, you will also receive CSA News (a monthly publication of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA), and your laboratory will have the option to be listed as a program participant on the NAPT website. New participants also receive a waterproof hardcopy of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Manual. This document provides a model for developing a QA/QC plan for a soil testing laboratory.
An additional and optional Performance Assessment Program (PAP) is operated within NAPT for laboratories seeking further validation of testing methodology and results.
NAPT Oversight Committee
An important aspect of the NAPT Oversight Committee is the diversity of its members who are selected to represent the range of groups with an interest and/or stake in the quality of soil and plant analysis results.
Members of the NAPT Oversight Committee consist of:
- one representative each from the SSSA, the Soil and Plant Analysis Council (SPAC), and the Canadian Soil Science Society (CSSS)
- one representative from each of the regional research soil and plant analysis workgroups (NCERA-13, NECC-1312, SERA-6, WERA-103)
- one representative from state regulatory agencies that oversee soil/plant proficiency programs
- five representatives from the private/public laboratory sector.
Ex officio members consist of:
- the NAPT coordinator
- a representative from the NAPT contract laboratory (if separate from the NAPT coordinator)
- a representative from the SSSA staff
- the current SSSA Division S8 committee chair
- a representative from the NRCS.
Committee members serve three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The Committee meets annually at the SSSA meeting and by teleconference as the need arises throughout the year.
The success of the NAPT program depends on meeting the needs of laboratories and other clientele that participate in the program. The NAPT Oversight Committee welcomes your comments on the program and suggestions for improvement.
NAPT Coordinator, Bryan Hopkins
Dr. Bryan G. Hopkins has been selected to be the new NAPT Program Coordinator, effective January 2020. Dr. Hopkins is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and a Professor at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT in the College of Life Sciences. He brings extensive experience, expertise, and a well-developed, innovative plan to build on the success of the program and enhance service to our participating laboratories.