JuneCSA News
The June issue of CSA News is online! In this month's cover story, scientists investigate how human waste can be treated and used to grow food on other planets.
Senate Agriculture reconciliation bill maintains research investments
On June 11, Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans released their section of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act budget reconciliation bill. The bill is now under review and could come up for a vote in the Senate by the end of June.
Featured articles
Understanding soil carbon: Key ingredient to build healthy soils
Soil carbon is essential for soil health as it enhances soil structure, fuels microbial activity, improves fertility by providing nutrients, and increases resilience to environmental stresses.
Low soil carbon can lead to increased erosion, reduced microbial diversity, and a significant loss of crop productivity.
Strategies to improve soil carbon involve a combination of practices, such as adding organic soil amendments, reducing tillage, planting cover crops, diversifying cropping systems, and integrating livestock.
Highlights from the diversity student poster competition
Students: Submit abstracts by July 8 for the 2025 contest
The Diversity Student Poster Contest is designed to spotlight research by undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as members of groups historically underrepresented or marginalized in science. This article recaps last year's contest and encourages students to submit abstracts by July 8 for the 2025 contest.
Recent articles
Recent articles
Spent coffee grounds in sustainable agriculture
Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are organic wastes that generally end up in landfills. However, SCG have the potential to be used as a sustainable fertilizer and an amendment to improve soil health. It is a scalable, eco-friendly agricultural solution that has not received much attention.
Stream pathogenic bacteria levels rebound after wild pig control ends
New research reveals a rapid rebounding of wild pig populations, and associated pathogenic bacteria levels, in affected watersheds after control measures end. Water quality remediation may require ongoing population control efforts.
Water quality patterns and processes differ in two tidal systems
In coastal systems that are experiencing rapid population growth, increasing amounts of nitrogen in stormwater and wastewater threaten water quality. Focusing on two coastal systems with different tidal influences, scientists in North Carolina found that water quality patterns and processes differed.
How removing turf affects residential land surface temperature in Southern California
California has faced prolonged droughts in the past decades. Due to the limited water availability, policymakers have explored several water-saving strategies, including turf removal rebates for homeowners. While turfgrass removal may help with water conservation, it could have unintended environmental consequences.
Science explained
One of the great features of our new site is our "Science Explained" section where we bridge the gap between our sciences and society, explaining key 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!
