US LTAR

Dr. Colton Flynn, an ARS soil scientist at the Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory in Temple, TX, is showing his appreciation by giving a shoutout to his teachers starting from primary school to his current work advisors. We're celebrating all our educators during #TeacherAppreciationWeek!

In case you missed it, ARS scientists in Ames, IA, and their research partners have been developing a tool that allows users to visualize, explore, and analyze soil temperature data regionally over time. This tool will help Midwest farmers determine optimal planting times and make more informed decisions throughout the agricultural season. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di… #ScientificDiscoveries

Follow ARS during #TeacherAppreciationWeek as we hear from our young scientists, like Dr. Jacqueline Serrano (below), who gives a shoutout to her teachers for their guidance through her career in science. ARS Young Scientists are focused on advancing and improving U.S. agriculture for farmers, stakeholders and the American consumer. Learn more about Dr. Serrano and each of these ARS scientists at: aglab.ars.usda.gov/the-future-is-… #ThankATeacher

In #ScientificDiscoveries, ARS researchers in Maricopa, AZ, are studying whether combining irrigation scheduling models and soil water sensors could improve water efficiency for growing cotton. Learn more at: scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di…

ARS researchers are working to control pests like the corn earworm, which devours corn and causes significant damage for U.S. farmers and producers. ARS Researchers in Ames, IA, have discovered that these pests borrowed a gene from an invasive cousin, making them resistant to pyrethroid insecticides – but they have found a way to deactivate the gene, restoring farmers’ ability to protect sweet corn. ars.usda.gov/research/proje… For additional information: academic.oup.com/jinsectscience… #NPMM

Farm irrigation in the U.S. relies heavily on groundwater, but many aquifers are being depleted faster than they can naturally refill. Learn how ARS researchers in Oxford, MS, are working to develop a rapid, but safe process to recharge the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer. aglab.ars.usda.gov/fuel-your-curi… #ARSAglab

Upcoming event: 2026 LTAR Annual Science Meeting in Ames, IA (at UMRB site) ltar.ars.usda.gov/2026/04/28/202…

See how ARS is providing data to farmers planting cover crops and practicing regenerative methods. This partnership provides numerous benefits from improving soil health, to crop productivity. loom.ly/pDCWLLo

Explore the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, featuring detailed insights for planting and gardening. The map’s zip code “widget” guides you on perennial plant choices for your hardiness zone. Know your zone! Find it at: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov #NationalGardenMonth

Learn how ARS researchers in Boise, ID, are using satellite imagery and AI to prevent wildfires. By mapping several types of vegetation that serve as the fuel for fires, researchers have created publicly available data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of combating wildfires. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di… #ScientificDiscoveries

Thank you to our nation’s farmers! #NationalAgWeek

ARS Celebrates U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural industries during #NationalAgWeek!

During #NationalEngineersWeek, we remember ARS Hall of Famer Dr. Stuart Nelson, who passed in September at age 98. Nelson joined ARS in 1954. He was known internationally as an authority on dielectric properties, (the characteristics of poor conductors of electricity that determine their interaction with electromagnetic fields), of agricultural materials and measurement methods. Nelson was named the ARS Engineer of the Year in 1985. In 1989, he received the ARS Senior Scientist Excellence and Achievement Award. bit.ly/3MJIWjj

ARS celebrates #NationalEngineersWeek! Meet ARS Research Hydrologist Andrew O'Reilly, who says being a problem solver is key to his work as an engineer. O'Reilly works on irrigation projects for U.S. farmers at the ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, MS.

Seeing the Forest Through the Trees -- with Joel Biederman, a research hydrologist at ARS’s Southwest Watershed Research Center in Tucson, AZ. Learn about Biederman's research to make our nation’s forests more resilient by preserving the water supplies flowing from the forests, and designing forests that are less prone to fueling severe wildfires. ars.usda.gov/oc/utm/seeing-…

How Research is Connecting Forest Restoration to Western Water Supply nature.org/en-us/about-us…

Grow with ARS community and keep following us in 2026 -- learn how we’re helping our nation's farmers, ranchers, and land managers throughout the New Year! 🎉🎉

Congratulations to the USDA-ARS team of scientists who developed the pyfao56 Open-Source Evapotranspiration and Water Balance Tool for receiving the 2025 Vanguard Award from the Irrigation Association (IA).🎉🎉 The Vanguard Award honors an innovative project in the irrigation industry. Projects chosen for this award exemplify the IA’s mission of promoting innovation in efficient irrigation and supporting industry growth and sustainability. bit.ly/3LektBO

Learn how ARS scientists in Ames, IA, and their research partners are creating a tool allowing users to visualize, explore, and analyze soil temperature data regionally over time. This tool will help Midwest farmers determine optimal planting times and make more informed decisions throughout the agricultural season. loom.ly/QotI-bg #ScientificDiscoveries

Satellite data is changing how ranchers and land managers monitor rangelands. ARS researchers are evaluating satellite-based remote sensing tools to explain how different tools can be used to help ranchers achieve different management goals. loom.ly/doZ8-IA