Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, the Auburn Research Technology Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service broke ground this week for a research facility housing the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory.

The project will have four buildings: two in Auburn University’s Research Park and two constructed near campus.

“With these new buildings and the continuing cooperation with our research partners at Auburn University, we believe that the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory will continue to have a substantial positive impact on agriculture all over the world,” said Simon Liu, ARS acting administrator said.

The buildings will house research on conservation cropping systems, environmentally sound animal waste management and global climate change. Research efforts also will focus on improved poultry production practices, cotton disease control, improved forage production and the use of biochar in agriculture.

The laboratory develops economical and environmentally sound crop management systems. Additionally, scientists are pioneering efforts for a national focus on soil and water quality to maintain the productivity of our nation’s farms.

David Palmore is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.