Aerial view of an agricultural landscape in a dry, rocky valley. In the foreground, neat rows of crops are planted in long, parallel lines, with two vehicles parked near the edge of the field. A narrow paved road cuts through the farmland, dividing green irrigated plots from brown, uncultivated fields. In the background, a wide river and a small cluster of industrial buildings sit at the base of steep, rugged cliffs and hillsides. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds, and the lighting suggests a clear, sunny day.

© Chris Benedict, WSU

Long-term Soil Health Research Progresses Our Understanding of Soils

Six sites are operating with the end goal of identifying agricultural practices that benefit the soils of Washington State.

Author: Chris Benedict

June 15, 2026

Background

It’s been about a year since we have provided an update on WaSHI’s Long-Term Agroecological Research and Extension (LTARE) network. As of 2026, six sites are operating with the end goal of identifying agricultural practices that benefit the soils of Washington State. Each site consists of treatments that evaluate soil health through a core group of indicators that represent major agro-ecosystems in Washington State. In-depth economic analysis will be performed for each site and treatment to provide land managers with sound information to make decisions. Each LTARE has an Advisory Team that consists of industry representatives (farmers, field reps etc.) that meet regularly and help the investigators develop priorities and goals. In combination, these six sites represent 72% of Washington’s total cropland production value.

A group of people gathered in an orchard with rows of young fruit trees supported by wooden posts and wires under a clear blue sky. In the foreground and along the left side, several attendees wearing hats and casual outdoor clothing stand closely together, watching a demonstration. Near the center-right, a person stands beside a rectangular table covered with a red tablecloth, displaying clear containers and materials used for the demonstration. A sign mounted on a wooden post next to the table includes the heading “Mulch Addition Treatment” with smaller explanatory text beneath it. The orchard rows extend into the distance with evenly spaced trees, and dry hills or mountains are visible in the background. Bright sunlight creates strong shadows on the grass and ground between the rows.
Attendees at a SoilCon field day at WSU Sunrise Orchard learn about practices that protect and build soil health in orchards. Photo: Chris Benedict

LTARE Development and Timeline

Below is a brief timeline of how the LTARE’s came to be and their evolution over the last six years.

Leverage

Core funding for these experiments comes from Washington State, but PIs have extensively leveraged these funds to obtain additional funds from other sources. Since 2022, researchers have utilized the investment that the State provides to receive an additional $14.5 million dollars which roughly equates to a 4:1 investment by Washington.

Future Planned Activities

The research will continue on-track progressing the understanding of agricultural practices that protect soils and our food system. Investigators will continue to seek feedback from the LTARE’s Advisory Team that will continue to influence the direction of activities and priorities of each LTARE. We will continue outreach activities to reach land managers, industry personnel, and the general public. 

A group of people gathered outdoors in an agricultural field, standing and kneeling in rows of dried plant material such as hay or cover crops. In the foreground, several individuals wearing hats and casual field clothing crouch closely together, examining the ground and plants with their hands. One person in front wears a wide-brimmed white sun hat and a striped shirt, leaning forward to inspect the vegetation. Behind them, a larger group stands in a semicircle observing, some wearing name tags and holding notebooks or water bottles. The field shows distinct rows and furrows, with dry soil and cut plant residue. In the background, a tent canopy, parked vehicles, and distant hills or mountains are visible under a bright, sunny sky.
Attendees at a SoilCon field day at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC learn about using a no-till drill for seeding cover crops. Photo: Chris Benedict
Photo of Chris standing in front of a statue while wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.

Chris Benedict

Chris Benedict is a professor and faculty lead for the Initiative at Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, WSU.

This article was published by the Washington Soil Health Initiative. For more information, visit wasoilhealth.org. To have these posts delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to the WaSHI newsletter. To find a soil science technical service provider, visit the Washington State University Extension website or the Washington State Conservation District website.