Explore using soil color as a low-cost tool for simultaneously monitoring SOM amount and physicochemical characteristics. USDA-nrcs- NHQ-soils-23-NOFO00001285

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under CFDA 10.902 Soil and Water Conservation provides $491,803 to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) to explore using soil color as a low-cost tool for simultaneously monitoring soil organic matter amount and physicochemical characteristics.

The project aims to support sustainable agriculture practices and natural resource conservation goals by improving soil health assessment methods. Virginia Tech will serve as the prime recipient, and will collaborate with a sub-recipient, Delaware Valley University, to conduct research linking soil carbon properties, ecosystem functions, and color requirements for soil classification and taxonomy. The award has a period of performance from September 2023 through September 2026.