Soil, Plant and Water Sciences

Agricultural and Natural Resources

Their main focus is on research to develop solutions to agricultural problems and provide information access and dissemination to:

·         ensure high quality, safe food and other agricultural products,

·         assess the nutritional needs of Americans,

·         sustain a competitive agricultural economy,

·         enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and

·         provide economic opportunities to rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole

Natural resources, especially those of soil, water, plant and animal diversity, vegetation cover, renewable energy sources, climate, and ecosystem services are fundamental for the structure and function of agricultural systems and for social and environmental sustainability, in support of life on earth. Historically the path of global agricultural development has been narrowly focused on increased productivity rather than on a more holistic integration of NRM [Natural Resource Management] with food and nutritional security. A holistic, or systems-oriented approach.