U.S. farms manage 880 million acres of land, making soil health a critical foundation for agricultural productivity and sustainability. From digital soil maps and interactive visualization tools to AI-driven models, land-grant university researchers are harnessing technology and data to better understand soils, improve decision-making, and support more sustainable agricultural systems across the country. Featured photo courtesy of Dan Donnert/Kansas State …
Preparing the Dairy Workforce of Tomorrow: The Role of Public and Land-Grant Universities
As the dairy industry continues to evolve, so does the need for a skilled, adaptable workforce. Public and land-grant universities are helping meet this demand through on-campus creameries, industry partnerships, youth development opportunities, and more. Across the country, university dairy programs blend science and business, ensuring students not only understand dairy production, but also how to innovate and lead within a rapidly …
Fueling Economic Development for Thriving Communities: Growing Businesses, Creating Jobs, and Expanding Markets
Across the country, land-grant universities fuel economic development by aligning research, education, and Extension with the real-world needs of farmers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Their work supports sectors ranging from food production and forestry to agritourism, value-added manufacturing, and emerging agricultural enterprises. From helping food businesses grow and create jobs, to advancing profitable production systems for small farmers, developing new crop …
Building Resilient Food Systems: Precision Agriculture and Innovation
Across the country, land-grant university researchers are driving precision agriculture and innovation, using tools like AI, drones, and advanced breeding techniques to help farmers make smarter decisions, boost productivity, and build more resilient food systems. Featured photo courtesy of University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. New Pest-ID tool helps farmers make smart decisions to tailor managementIowa Agriculture and Home …
Researchers Studying Avian Disease Resistance and Immunity Win National Award for Outstanding Collaboration and Impact
ST LOUIS, Mo., Sept. 16. — At the Joint agInnovation and Extension Awards Ceremony, Dr. Chris Ashwell and Dr. Jason Hubbart received the 2025 Excellence in Multistate Research Award on behalf of a multistate team working to understand the genetic bases of immunity and resistance to avian diseases. Avian diseases such as avian influenza, Marek’s disease, and Newcastle disease cause …
Sustainable solutions to bee health
Bees provide essential pollination for many of the nut, berry, fruit, vegetable, and seed crops grown in the U.S. To supplement wild bee pollination, farmers often rent managed honey bee colonies. Demand is skyrocketing, but catastrophic die-offs are threatening the supply of healthy honey bee colonies. Parasitic mites, pathogens, pesticide chemicals, nutritional deficits, and environmental conditions have contributed to the …
Managing controlled environments efficiently
In controlled environmental agriculture, plants are grown inside a greenhouse or other type of enclosure where growers can maintain optimal growing conditions, such as light, temperature, humidity, water, and nutrients. In the northeastern climate, controlled environments play a vital role in year-round production, but growers need more information about how to fine-tune their environments to achieve optimal plant growth and …
Protecting habitats and biodiversity
Natural ecosystems provide clean air and water, food and shelter for wildlife and recreation opportunities. Agriculture, urbanization, climate change, pests and other stressors put America’s landscapes and native species, including essential pollinators, at risk. U.S. Land-grant universities are working to restore and protect ecosystems and biodiversity. Here are a few examples of that work: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) molecules …