Federal Grant Award Summary

North Dakota State University received an $800,000 project grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), awarded June 1, 2026, with a completion date of May 31, 2029. The award funds a comprehensive research initiative to advance understanding of soil salinization in cold semiarid agricultural regions of the United States. The project delivers integrated research products combining laboratory experiments, field studies, and small watershed observations to examine how freezing-thawing cycles, snow cover, precipitation, crop water use, and irrigation practices influence salt accumulation and movement in agricultural soils.

The research produces practical science-based guidance and improved predictive tools for agricultural stakeholders. Specific deliverables include scientific findings on how common agricultural management practices—such as crop rotations, soil amendments, and drainage systems—affect soil salinity outcomes; enhanced computer models that more accurately represent winter soil processes and their effects on salinity; and evidence-based recommendations for farmers and land managers to optimize soil and water management throughout the year. These outputs support long-term agricultural productivity by reducing crop losses, protecting groundwater and surface water quality, improving overall soil health, and promoting more efficient water resource utilization in salt-affected landscapes.