{"id":155,"date":"2023-12-20T11:44:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T19:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/?page_id=155"},"modified":"2026-01-08T15:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:00:27","slug":"state-of-the-soils-assessment-across-wa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/research-projects\/state-of-the-soils-assessment-across-wa\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u2018State of the Soils\u2019 Assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left \">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wsu-background-slider wsu-background-slider--effect-fade\" \n\tdata-delay=\"4000\">\n\t \n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-background-slider__slide wsu-slide--active\">\n\t\t\t<img class=\"wsu-background-slider__image\" \n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png\"\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 2296w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-3.04.22-PM.png 2048w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2296px) 100vw, 2296px\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"A map of Washington dotted with numerous sampling points.\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 53% 47%\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-background-slider__slide \">\n\t\t\t<img class=\"wsu-background-slider__image\" \n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 990w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200603_174441347-scaled.jpg 1188w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Three research team members posing in a potato field with sampling equipment.\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 25%\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-background-slider__slide \">\n\t\t\t<img class=\"wsu-background-slider__image\" \n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200604_120915439_HDR-1-scaled.jpg 2048w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"A researcher taking notes on a truck\u2019s tailgate in the field.\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 25%\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-background-slider__slide \">\n\t\t\t<img class=\"wsu-background-slider__image\" \n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2023\/12\/IMG_20200623_090835850-1-1-scaled.jpg 2048w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"A researcher walking through a cornfield carrying a bucket.\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 25%\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<button class=\"wsu-button-pause-background wsu-background-slider__pause-button\" aria-label=\"Pause Animation\"><\/button>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlay wsu-pattern-after wsu-overlay--none wsu-pattern--none\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We are collaborating with Washington State Dept. of Agriculture and Conservation Districts to conduct a statewide soil health assessment. Originally funded by a WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, we focused on 7 of WA\u2019s major specialty cropping systems: potatoes, sweet corn, onions, pulses, wine grapes, tree fruit, and hops. This effort has now been expanded through support from the <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonsoilhealthinitiative.com\/\">Washington Soil Health Initiative (WaSHI)<\/a> to sample 1000 sites across Washington in a <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonsoilhealthinitiative.com\/state-of-the-soils\/\">\u2018State of t<\/a>he Soils\u2019 Assessment. These cropping systems have different soil health challenges, and the unique soils and microclimates in Washington make it challenging for growers to apply recommendations based on research in other agricultural regions of the US. We are using this dataset to examine how management practices affect soil health indicators within cropping systems and are developing soil health curves to help growers compare soil health indicators in their fields to the range of indicator values found in their region to determine the most effective interventions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Check out an example of our <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.agr.wa.gov\/WSDAKentico\/Documents\/DO\/NRAS\/SoilHealth\/2022_producerReport_Example.html?_gl=1*uxjksa*_ga*MzgzMjE2NTkxLjE2MzUyOTIwODc.*_ga_9JCK8SVQPE*MTY5MjczMTkxMS4yLjAuMTY5MjczMTkxMS4wLjAuMA..\">interactive soil health report<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check out the publicly available <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonsoilhealthinitiative.com\/2024\/03\/soils-an-r-package-for-soil-health-reporting\/\">{soils} R package<\/a> we&#8217;ve developed to create interactive soil health reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/nras.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/d4b2d135d47a4ff7a89285fecf67cef2\">interactive map<\/a> of sampled sites&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonsoilhealthinitiative.com\/roadmap\/\">Washington Soil Health Initiative Roadmap<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch Deirdre Griffin LaHue present on the State of the Soils Assessment at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t7nMgwVOcVI\">Soil Health Nexus Digital Caf\u00e9 <\/a>(2023) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PBoW0r-cW4M?si=kqWUp-MBR6Wb8VKH\">Pacific Northwest Farmers&#8217; Network Coffee Hour<\/a> (2025)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Extension publications:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/soil-health-in-washington-vineyards\">FS378E: Soil Health in Washington Vineyards<\/a>: Extension factsheet co-authored by the project team&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/a-practical-guide-to-soil-health-indicators-for-monitoring-shifts-in-soil-organic-matter\">FS379E: A Practical Guide to Soil Health Indicators for Monitoring Shifts in Soil Organic Matter<\/a>: Extension factsheet co-authored by Deirdre Griffin LaHue&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who&#8217;s involved?<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-card-wrapper wsu-card-wrapper--per-row-4\" >\r\n    \n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-1-1\">\r\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot.jpg 818w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot-396x396.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot-792x792.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot-198x198.jpg 198w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Kobby-headshot-768x768.jpg 768w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"alt=\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\">\t\t\t\tKwabena Sarpong\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tPhD Candidate\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<a class='wsu-card__link' href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><\/a><\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-1-1\">\r\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-scaled.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-396x396.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-792x792.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-198x198.jpg 198w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2024\/03\/Luis_square-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"alt=\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\">\t\t\t\tLuis Reyes Rojas\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tFormer Postdoctoral Scholar\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<a class='wsu-card__link' href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><\/a><\/article>\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-1-1\">\r\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/lab-alumni\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Molly-headshot.jpg\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Molly-headshot.jpg 692w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Molly-headshot-396x396.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-labs\/uploads\/sites\/2703\/2021\/04\/Molly-headshot-198x198.jpg 198w\"\r\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 692px) 100vw, 692px\"\r\n\t\t\t\talt=\"alt=\"\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n\t\t\t\/>\r\n\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/lab-alumni\/\">\t\t\t\tMolly McIlquham\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t\tFormer M.S. Student\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<a class='wsu-card__link' href=\"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/home-page\/people\/lab-alumni\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are collaborating with Washington State Dept. of Agriculture and Conservation Districts to conduct a statewide soil health assessment. Originally funded by a WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, we focused on 7 of WA\u2019s major specialty cropping systems: potatoes, sweet corn, onions, pulses, wine grapes, tree fruit, and hops. This effort has now been expanded [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25760,"featured_media":0,"parent":33,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/155"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25760"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1164,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/155\/revisions\/1164"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=155"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/soilhealth-nwrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}