Demonstrate the benefits of integration of soil health principles through increase carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases, climate change, diversify income and enhance rural economies

This $4,999,387 Project Grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (CFDA 10.912 - Environmental Quality Incentives Program) aims to demonstrate the benefits of integrating soil health principles to increase carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases, address climate change, diversify income, and enhance rural economies.

The grant will fund research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, along with sub-awards to Texas Tech University System, Oklahoma State University, and West Texas A&M University. Key activities include developing climate-smart agricultural practices, investigating soil health improvements, exploring renewable energy solutions from waste streams, and advancing scientific and technological innovations in areas such as genomics, atmospheric sciences, and materials science. The collaborative, multi-institutional effort seeks to deliver practical applications and educational outreach to support sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation across the region.