Soil salinity and water scarcity are two of the most pressing challenges in modern agriculture. In arid and semi-arid regions, excessive soil salts and limited freshwater resources threaten crop productivity, soil health, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Innovative water treatment technologies, such as AQUA4D, are emerging as effective tools to address these critical issues. Earn 0.5 CEUs by reading this article and taking the quiz.

Representing the research perspective, the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America have joined 16 other agricultural organizations in a PFAS and Agriculture Working Group to develop the nation’s first comprehensive set of federal recommendations to address PFAS contamination of agricultural land. The recommendations call upon Congress and the executive branch to take pragmatic steps to address PFAS in order to protect farmers and their families, keep farms and ranches in business, maintain a safe national food supply, and safeguard our nation’s farmland for future generations. 

As solar energy development gains traction, there is a growing conflict in land use between solar site installations and farming in communities across the Northeastern U.S. One way to address this is by adapting agrivoltaics, a dual-use land strategy that combines agricultural and solar energy production. Solar grazing, which involves vegetation management with the use of livestock, has been a growing industry in the past decade. This study evaluated the effects of sheep grazing on soil health and pasture quality at 28 grazed and three non-grazed solar sites across the Northeastern U.S. Earn 1 CEU in Sustainability by reading this article and taking the quiz. 

Agronomic lab results rely on three key pillars: representative sampling, accurate and precise laboratory analysis, and science-based interpretation. This article provides practical guidelines for preventing contamination, capturing variability, ensuring laboratory quality control, and using validated, research-backed correlations. By strengthening all three areas, agronomists can turn raw lab data into trustworthy, profitable decisions for crop and soil management. This article was prepared as a contribution of the Western Region Nutrient Management Coordinating Committee (WERA-103). Earn 0.5 CEUs in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz.