Food

Wilted corn crop
By Xi Zhang

https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2023/08/01/what-affects-how-well-soil-holds-water/

Photo of Samira Daroub

Photo of Samira DaroubThe Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) announced its newly elected leaders for the next office term, beginning January 2024.

potato plants emerging from soil in mounded rows
By Kaine Korzekwa

For farmers and researchers, a field is often like a giant chemistry set. The timing and amounts of different fertilizers to supply nutrients can interact with each other, the soil, and crops.

five labeled cobs of corn of different sizes and ruler
By Eric Hamilton

Corn is a classic American crop. First cultivated in North America thousands of years ago, it now blankets American farmland from coast to coast. The U.S. grows more corn than any other country. And the grain is used for everything from tortilla chips to cow feed, to biofuel.

corn stalk with three ears of corn on it
By Hayley Crowell

Undeniably, corn is one of the world’s most important crops. From feeding humans and livestock, to its many industrial uses, humans have been growing it for approximately 10,000 years.

cornfield

hand holding two small flower and fruit of lochroma cyaneum shrub
By Eric Hamilton

Hidden beneath the delicate, red skin and juicy flesh of a tomato is a wealth of nutrients and genetic makeup. With recent research on the first genome of a species in the tomatillo tribe (part of the tomato family), we now have a better idea of how this vital plant family came to be.

raised garden bed in community garden with buildings in background
By Adityarup "Rup" Chakravorty

Urban gardens offer many benefits for individual health, communities, and ecosystems. They promote sustainable agriculture, reduce food transportation costs, and reduce water runoff. However, urban gardeners also face several challenges, one of which is dealing with contaminants like lead.

ryegrass cover crop growing between rows of corn
By Eric Hamilton

Fields of amber grain may be the poetic image of American farmland. And it’s true that the U.S. grows plenty of wheat. But fields of yellow grain – corn – may be more accurate.

three people in lab coats taking notes and tasting various cups of coffee on table
By Susan V. Fisk

Most Americans wake up to coffee every morning. In fact, the National Coffee Association says that 70% of Americans drink coffee every week (62% drink it every day!)