California is one the only five regions in the world with a true Mediterranean climate. It’s rare. It’s powerful. And, it’s why the San Joaquin Valley can feed the world. …
90 Years of NRCS – Over a Century of Soil Conservation Awareness
Even with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reaching its 90th anniversary milestone, efforts in soil conservation occurred well before the official founding of the agency. Rod Bain has more. …
American Agriculture History Minute: Early Colonists Learned the Hard Way About Soil Stewardship
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early colonists had to learn the hard way about soil stewardship. The practices associated with keeping livestock also contributed to deterioration …
AgNet News Hour Tuesday, 01-07-25
Get the latest agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour. In this episode of AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss agricultural burning in the San Joaquin …
Initiative Offers Year-Round Soil Solutions Nationwide
The Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota aims to address one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: keeping soil covered and healthy throughout the year. While the program began with …
Almond Update: Healthy Soils Week Highlights Farming Innovation and Public Engagement
California celebrated the start of Healthy Soils Week with a focus on sustainability and climate resilience. California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined the Almond Board of California to discuss the …
Healthy Soils Week Highlights Benefits of Regenerative Farming Practices
This week, the American Farmland Trust (AFT) is promoting the importance of soil health through Healthy Soils Week, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about sustainable farming practices. Paul Lum, …
American Agriculture History Minute: Becoming Stewards of the Soil
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. We like to think that early American farmers and ranchers were good stewards of the soil, like farmers and ranchers are …
American Agriculture History Minute: Learning Soil Preservation by Crop Rotation
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers, unfortunately, tended to be careless with the use and care of their soil. This was the case across the …
USDA Workshop Sets Research Roadmap for Tackling PFAS Challenges in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently outlined steps toward addressing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in agricultural soils and waters. In collaboration with the …
Latest Topsoil Moisture Condition Report
USDA’s latest topsoil moisture condition report reflects a dramatic increase in very-short to short ratings from the previous week, as well as levels not reached in two years. Rod Bain has …
Wide Disparity in Latest Topsoil Moisture Condition Report
A wide range of climate conditions across the continental U.S. results in some large changes in USDA’s topsoil moisture condition report. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Protecting …
The Science of Soil From Feeding Minds Press
A book that teaches young readers about agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Young readers, gardeners, and educators have a new agricultural adventure to dig into with …
Study Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health
A new study links soil health and farm profitability. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) …