Interactive ag education
In this month's cover story, we showcase examples of experiential learning, or “learning by doing,” where undergraduate students are introduced to topics in agronomy and soil science.
USDA announces next step in agency reorganization
As the next step in the USDA reorganization, Secretary Brook Rollins announced a sweeping restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service. The changes include moving the Forest Service headquarters to Salt Lake City, transitioning to a state-based leadership model, building a network of Operations Service Centers, and unifying the agency’s research program.
Featured articles
Spring 2026 virtual mentorship program: Sign up by April 15
Our spring 2026 virtual mentorship program allows members across ASA, CSSA, and SSSA to connect regardless of location or meeting attendance. Become a mentor or mentee: sign up by April 15!
Soil riddles: April 2026
Think you know soils? Test your knowledge in our new series, “Soil Riddles.”
If you are the first to guess the correct soil series name and its geographical location correctly, we’ll publish your name along with the answer in an upcoming issue.
Recent articles
Weekly Policy News Updates from Washington, DC
Nearly every week, we're updating you on the latest policy developments from Washington, DC and how it affects you.
Recent articles
Secrets to a stellar symposium
What students learned from building one from scratch
This article explores how a group of students at Purdue University successfully organized the first Symposium of Digital Agriculture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a symposium from the ground up. Through their experiences, it highlights key strategies, challenges, and lessons learned to help other students and academics create impactful, student-led events of their own.
Women in Science: Supporting each other
Final video in the series celebrating Women's History Month
We wrap our month long celebration of Women's History Month with our final video in the series: women in science—Supporting each other.
President’s pick: SSSA research April 2026
Each month, SSSA President Aaron Daigh picks one or two articles among the SSSA journals that represent some of the most exciting, creative, and innovative research in the field of soil science. Check out his picks for this month!
Interactive ag education
College students study agronomy and soil science through experiential, hands-on learning
- Experiential learning, “learning by doing,” is a potential way to introduce undergraduate students to topics in agronomy and soil science.
- Dr. Grace Ogden excites her new students about soils using LEGO bricks. She presented this activity at CANVAS 2025.
- Dr. Randa Jabbour encourages her students to think deeper about topics in agroecology by connecting lectures to museum artworks. She published her experience in Natural Sciences Education.
Down to Earth
Our Down to Earth section publishes food, farming, and environmental concepts and research in language that is easy to understand by all, including those without formal scientific training. Visit us each week as we continue to add more sections and content.
We want to hear from you
Do you have an article you'd like to submit or feedback for the magazine team? Let us know!
