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    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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    SoilSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Natural Resources
      Air
          Forests
          Grasslands and Rangelands
          Soil
          WaterSoils are a multifaceted and dynamic natural resource that support plant growth and affect water and air quality. Scientists have found that in-depth research is needed to unravel the complex nature of soils as well as their impact on Earth’s ecosystems.Importance of SoilsManaging the land according to sustainable agricultural practices is vital to counteracting the erosion and nutrient loss that can harm or destroy soil’s quality and effectiveness. Soils science is essential to understanding the conditions that affect and support life on Earth:Ecosystem stability – The composition and quality of soil can either maintain or disrupt  the balance of an ecosystemClimate change – Soil plays a major role in the consumption and production of greenhouse gases, affecting processes that can either mitigate or exacerbate global climate changesNutrient cycles – Sound soil management can increase farm profitability by mitigating the destructive impact of erosion and nutrient lossMicrobe, plant, and animal health – Organisms in soil play a critical role in plant health,  in turn taking an important part in the health of animalsNIFA’s ImpactNIFA supports activities aimed at understanding and managing the impact of soils on the environment and agricultural productivity. NIFA initiatives seek to:Investigate how soils can diminish or intensify climate changeResearch erosion control methodsDevelop sound soil management practices  to enhance soil healthTeach farmers techniques to protect and improve soil health and productivityDisseminate  scientific findings about soils’ impact on  ecosystemsInvestigate how soils perform in diverse and variable environmental and land-use conditions

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              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)

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    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host Institution
              Research Facilities Act Program Return to top
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