Protein quality, not just quantity, is critical for meeting human dietary needs. This paper reviews animal‑, plant‑, and emerging protein sources in terms of amino acid composition, digestibility, nutritional adequacy, and environmental impact. It highlights life‑stage–specific protein requirements, limitations of single‑source proteins, and the role of complementary proteins in balanced diets. Global patterns of protein availability, future demand, and sustainability challenges are examined. The paper concludes that diverse dietary protein sources, rather than exclusive reliance on plant or animal proteins, are essential for supporting human health and resilient food systems.

This report examines the principles, technologies, and applications of precision irrigation across gravity, sprinkler, and microirrigation systems. It reviews variable rate irrigation, soil- and plant-based sensing, evapotranspiration monitoring, irrigation scheduling tools, and complementary technologies such as fertigation and data-driven decision support systems.

This report examines the current and emerging applications of AI in agriculture, including crop and livestock monitoring, precision management, yield prediction, disease and pest detection, automation, and supply chain optimization. It explores the data sources, algorithms, and digital infrastructure that underpin AI-driven systems, as well as the role of AI in enhancing sustainability, productivity, and resilience under climate and resource constraints.

This report explores the potential for U.S. agriculture to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality or become GHG-negative by integrating current and emerging practices across crop and livestock systems. The analysis identifies five major opportunity areas: soil carbon management, nitrogen fertilizer management, animal production and manure handling, crop production efficiency, and on-farm energy use. The report emphasizes the need for on-farm demonstrations, technical support, and policy incentives to overcome economic and technological barriers.

This paper synthesizes current research on the impacts of soil health practices—such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and residue management—on hydrologic processes within agricultural and urban systems. These practices influence water infiltration, storage, and movement through the soil-water-atmosphere continuum, reducing runoff, erosion, and surface water contamination while potentially moderating flood risks.

This paper explores the historical, legal, scientific, and practical dimensions of pesticide registration and endangered species protection.

This paper explores the invasion process, pathways of introduction, and the role of risk assessment in preventing future invasions. It reviews qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative risk assessment approaches, their applications in regulatory and non-regulatory contexts, and associated tools used in the United States and internationally.

In this paper, we describe recent advances in genome editing tools, review select applications underway, consider the benefits of the technology, and offer a perspective on significant challenges to the successful use of genome editing. Given an enabling policy environment, genome editing will be an important tool for creating a competitive bioeconomy while addressing major challenges in agriculture and for consumers. We offer five recommendations to ensure genome editing in agriculture benefits society.

This paper examines the intersection of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), focusing on the role of State Lead Agencies (SLAs) in implementing pesticide programs that comply with ESA requirements. It outlines the historical context of FIFRA and ESA integration, including the development of the Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) and the EPA’s ESA Workplan.