Microplastics are an emerging and largely invisible threat to agricultural soils, ecosystems, and human health

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Salish Kootenai College, Inc., $150,000 under the 1994 Institutions Research Grants program (CFDA 10.227) on February 1, 2026, to examine microplastics in agricultural systems relevant to tribal lands. The project combines applied research, weather science, and culturally responsive programming to address microplastics contamination in soils and ecosystems affecting Native American communities. Salish Kootenai College will conduct conferences, provide educator training, and disseminate hands-on STEM resources to build capacity and awareness among tribal communities, centering indigenous knowledge and community priorities to support environmental stewardship and educational advancement. The project period runs through March 31, 2028, with work performed in Pablo, Montana. The 1994 Institutions Research Grants program supports competitive research projects at eligible tribal land-grant colleges addressing high-priority agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences concerns, with the goal of developing research capacity and preparing students for agricultural and related careers.

This project addresses a critical knowledge GAP by combining applied research, weatherscience, and programming responsive to native american cultureto examine microplastics in agricultural systems relevant to tribal lands. Through conferences, educator training, and the dissemination of hands-on stem resources, salish kootenai college and its partners will build capacity, increase awareness, and empower tribal communities to engage with this issue in meaningful and actionable ways. By centering indigenous knowledge and community priorities, the project supports long-term environmental stewardship, educational advancement, and resilience in the face of emerging contaminants.