Managing forever chemicals on the farmPFAS “forever chemicals” pose a growing risk to agriculture because they persist in soil, water, and living systems, potentially harming human health and reducing farm productivity. A number of Society members contributed to a recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlining how USDA conservation programs can help identify, monitor, and mitigate PFAS on farms using existing frameworks while highlighting major gaps in knowledge. Read June issue June 17, 2026 The science of the in-between: Why the vadose zone mattersWhat happens just underneath the Earth’s surface is responsible for our agricultural systems, regulates our climate, and supports our infrastructure. A multistate group of soil scientists recently published a Vadose Zone Journal review that outlines key areas of research happening in this unsaturated zone. Knowledge gaps turn into research opportunities as the scientists review what we know—and don’t know—about how soil moisture, the hydrologic cycle, emerging soil contaminants, and more.Check out the short video below summarizing the main points of this article and next month's companion article. Featured articles June 15, 2026 The distance and depth problems: A thought experiment for mid-summer June 9, 2026 Societies join broad coalition raising concerns to Congress over USDA restructuringA broad coalition of organizations, including ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, issued a letter to the House and Senate ag committee leaders this week raising concerns over restructuring the USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area.Learn more. Recent articles Demo Den: Ready-to-go activities for K-12 audiences and beyond! June 16, 2026 A smartphone can count your citrus crop June 12, 2026 Mandadi named director of Texas A&M AgriLife center at Weslaco June 11, 2026 AboutMonthly IssuesScienceSpecial CollectionsNews & PerspectivesPeopleStudentsCareers & EducationWeekly Policy News Updates from Washington, DCNearly every week, we're updating you on the latest policy developments from Washington, DC and how it affects you. Check it out Recent articles June 11, 2026 Mandadi named director of Texas A&M AgriLife center at Weslaco June 10, 2026 Breeding alfalfa cultivars with high yield in acidic and aluminum-rich soils June 9, 2026 Investing in our members: The strength of agronomy across every career stage June 8, 2026 Coastal floods affect soil pores and oxygen flow Events July 9 2026CANVAS Travel Awards Close Down to EarthOur 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. Check it out Most read articles Cowpea: A nutrient-rich pulse for extreme environments May 19, 2025 Cowpea: A nutrient-rich pulse for extreme environments May 19, 2025 The surprising benefits of eating dandelions February 26, 2025 Cowpea: A nutrient-rich pulse for extreme environments May 19, 2025 The surprising benefits of eating dandelions February 26, 2025 2025 Awards and Fellows November 4, 2025 Understanding soil carbon: Key ingredient to build healthy soils June 23, 2025 Understanding soil carbon: Key ingredient to build healthy soils June 23, 2025 Modern wheat classes converge in grain mineral nutrition—and that’s not great news April 21, 2025 Understanding soil carbon: Key ingredient to build healthy soils June 23, 2025 Modern wheat classes converge in grain mineral nutrition—and that’s not great news April 21, 2025 Inherited landscapes: Ancient Maya land use and soil transformation February 26, 2025 Rooted in resilience: regenerative agriculture and the future of food systems August 18, 2025 Rooted in resilience: regenerative agriculture and the future of food systems August 18, 2025 The ‘essence’ of genomic selection October 22, 2025 Rooted in resilience: regenerative agriculture and the future of food systems August 18, 2025 The ‘essence’ of genomic selection October 22, 2025 Role of soil moisture management and carbon sequestration in agriculture on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions May 19, 2025 PreviousNext We want to hear from youDo you have an article you'd like to submit or feedback for the magazine team? Let us know! Submit article Send a message
June 17, 2026 The science of the in-between: Why the vadose zone mattersWhat happens just underneath the Earth’s surface is responsible for our agricultural systems, regulates our climate, and supports our infrastructure. A multistate group of soil scientists recently published a Vadose Zone Journal review that outlines key areas of research happening in this unsaturated zone. Knowledge gaps turn into research opportunities as the scientists review what we know—and don’t know—about how soil moisture, the hydrologic cycle, emerging soil contaminants, and more.Check out the short video below summarizing the main points of this article and next month's companion article.
June 9, 2026 Societies join broad coalition raising concerns to Congress over USDA restructuringA broad coalition of organizations, including ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, issued a letter to the House and Senate ag committee leaders this week raising concerns over restructuring the USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area.Learn more.
Role of soil moisture management and carbon sequestration in agriculture on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions May 19, 2025