Assess microscopic-scale soil properties that regulate porosity, structure, and hydrologic function at representative ecological sites in the US.

This federal Cooperative Agreement award, with an obligated amount of $271,305.00, was granted by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Soil Survey Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.903). The award aims to assess microscopic-scale soil properties that regulate porosity, structure, and hydrologic function at representative ecological sites across the United States. The primary awardee is Iowa State University of Science and Technology, a public land-grant research university. The project period runs from the award date of September 11, 2024, through the ultimate completion date of December 31, 2027. The Soil Survey Federal Grant Program supports collaborative research initiatives to enhance understanding of soil properties, their interactions with agricultural practices, ecosystems, and climate, and generate practical applications for soil survey information.