Location: Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research
Project Number: 2090-11000-010-002-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2018
End Date: Apr 30, 2023
Objective:
To establish a general framework for cooperation and coordination between the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service (ARS), and the University of Idaho (U of I). This Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement (NFCA) defines in general terms the basis for which the Parties will cooperate. Individual projects may be developed between the Parties which outline specific research projects.
The Parties have a long history of collaborative research on crop and soil sciences. This collaboration has been, and continues to be, a vital, synergistic relationship wherein ARS scientists are able to expand their crop and soil science research capacity through their relationship with U of I and its Members, and the U of I and its Members are engaged in collaborative opportunities with ARS crop and soil scientists.
The Parties share an interest in the accomplishment of sound research and development in crop and soil sciences, including as key components, cropping systems to enhance productivity and diversity of the agricultural enterprise, research in mitigation of particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils, carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycling, no-till technology to improve soil quality and reduce nutrient use, tillage effects on carbon sequestration, operation of the Palouse weather station, climate friendly farming and best practices for preserving agricultural soils; as well as the dedication to the advancement of crop production systems through science based research and leading educational programs.
The Parties also share an interest and are dedicated to more effectively meeting the changing needs of growers and the public they serve, leading to increased efficiency of production while preserving the environment and promoting sustainability in the US and worldwide.
This will be a joint effort between ARS, who is conducting research on crop and soil science related projects and U of I, who is dedicated to the advancement of crops and soils through science based research and leading educational programs.
Approach:
ARS is actively conducting research in crop and soil sciences. U of I desires to provide direct and indirect research support to ARS. It is in the interest of both parties to continue their close working relationship so that research can be better directed toward meeting the needs of the United States and other nations, and can be more expeditiously accomplished at less cost.
ARS and U of I will work together to produce the highest quality basic and applied research to meet the changing demands of growers and stakeholders by:
1. Researching ways to mitigate particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils.
2. Develop cropping system best management practices via research that may be brought into widespread use in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner.
3. Promoting research to develop better soil management, through an increased understanding of particulate emissions, no-till technology to increase organic matter and improve water retention, and improved cropping systems.
4. Evaluating, characterizing, and utilizing remote sensing, modeling, and other tools to improve understanding of plant-soil atmosphere interactions across the diverse rolling hills of the Palouse.
