The congressionally created Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research has announced a $20-million research and education project to speed the adoption of soil management systems nationwide. The project, with $9.4 million in funding from the FFAR and the balance from the business and private sectors, was announced on World Soil Day.
“Farming practices that improve soil health can increase profitability while protecting natural resources like air and water for communities,” says the FFAR. There is currently no standard measurement of soil health in the United States, so one goal of the project is to develop such a standard. The FFAR’s executive director said, “If we can unlock the potential of healthy soil, we can move closer to a sustainable agricultural system for everyone.”
As part of the project, the Soil Health Institute will develop and test soil health measurements, the Soil Health Partnership will implement and evaluate farm practices that promote soil health, and the Nature Conservancy will work with landowners to encourage the adoption of practices that promote soil health and also boost productivity, farm revenue, and environmental health.