Location: Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research
Project Number: 5070-21600-001-017-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
The Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE) tool helps farmers manage their land to improve productivity and profitability. In support of the national SHAPE effort, Cooperator will coordinate and manage the collection of the remaining on-farm soil samples from the U.S. (total 13,000), recruit and survey farmers for management information, coordinate soil health analysis, and support landowner communication and outreach. Participating farmers will receive a personalized soil health report and a book. Results will improve the SHAPE tool for farmers by representing soils and production systems across the U.S.
Approach:
Landowners representing row crop, pasture, ranch, horticultural, and specialty agricultural systems will be identified and contacted and surveyed by the Cooperator's primary subcontractor, leveraging an existing Center for Regenerative Agriculture database and existing procedures for land access permissions and data privacy protections, including the Geospatial Data Act. Cooperator will coordinate collection of soil samples from selected landowner fields that meet project criteria following a detailed sampling protocol. The Cooperator has partners with demonstrated specialized knowledge of soil information systems (e.g., soil taxonomy and soil survey), agronomic management practices across crops and regions, and geographic information systems to ensure appropriate sample site selection.
Associated land management and yield data (current and historical) will be collected from the landowners using a USDA-approved survey. Soil samples will be delivered to the ARS PI following USDA-APHIS protocols and permits. A suite of NRCS-approved soil health tests will be conducted by the Soil Health Assessment Center and coordinated by the Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Final soil health reports and other outreach materials will be produced and provided to the participating landowners by the Cooperator and partners in collaboration with the ARS PI. The Cooperator will provide office support services and management of payments for soil sampling, soil analysis, and related work (salaries, travel
expenses, field equipment, etc.), including processing invoices, tracking expenses, and generating reports. Cooperator and partners will meet weekly in-person with the ARS PI in Columbia, Missouri.