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Howard Yamataki, Certified Professional Soil Scientist
Holzworth, Elwood
AAPI Program Manager
Vero Beach, FloridaMay is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) for Florida I would like to recognize Howard Yamataki and provide a brief biography for those of you who may not know Howard.
I first met Howard within a week of my employment with NRCS, when he came to the Vero Beach office as a member of the Civil Rights Committee (CRC). We gathered in a small conference room and Howard explained the role of the CRC and the objectives of achieving a diverse workplace.
When I became SEPM for the Asian Pacific Islanders Howard was the first person I contacted, asking for insights and advice as to best serve this community. He was more that helpful in directing me to the Japanese American Civic League website. We subsequently have had a few conversations about the Japanese culture in the United States. I am thankful to Howard for all of his help.
As I continue to learn about the many Asian and Pacific Island cultures and their role in developing the American agricultural resources within the agency and on the land I encourage NRCS employees to appreciate and celebrate their contributions.
According to the 2002 U.S. Census there are 557 farms and 689 Asian operators in Florida. The top 10 counties are:
County
# Farms
# Operators
Miami-Dade 103
134
Orange 54
67
Hillsborough 47
64
Palm Beach 36
40
Lake 27
32
Manatee 23
36
Broward 23
26
Sumter 20
20
Alachua 18
22
St. Lucie 12
20
Howard Yamataki
Name:
Howard Yamataki, Certified Professional Soil Scientist
Title:
Resource Soil Scientist
Work Location:
North Ft. Myers, FL
Telephone:
239-995-5678 option #3
Fax:
239-997-7557
Formal Education:
BS Soil Science Ohio State University 1972
Employment:
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA//NRCS)
Howard entered on duty with this agency on September 11, 1972. During his career with this agency, he is proud to have had the opportunity to work with a variety of professionals and function as a contributing team member. He has had this attitude from the early years of being a Soil Survey team member in North and South Florida, the middle years as a Party Leader in Central Florida, and later years as a Resource Soil Scientist.
Some of the work Howard is especially proud of is any soils work in various wetland studies and contributions to refining the hydric soil indicators for sandy soils, which had national implications.
In professional organizations, Howard was chapter President for the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and the Florida Association of Environmental Soil Scientists (FAESS). He received a national award from the SWCS and received special recognition for work on establishment of the State Soil – Myakka, sponsored by the local chapters of SWCS and FAESS.
Howard is also pleased to have been the Chair for the state Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee from 1992 to 1995.
