CSREES Soils Program Soil is a complex and dynamic natural resource on the Earth’s surface. It supports plant growth, affects water and air quality, and helps to clean up natural and human-made wastes. We depend on soils for the food we eat, the water we drink, and the enviro CSREES Water Program CSREES efforts cover a broad range of activity in this area. Research funded by CSREES provides the basic knowledge needed to address water quality and quantity issues in rural and agricultural watersheds. Extension and other outreach programs apply this NASS - Census of Agriculture The Census of Agriculture, taken every five years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many NIFA News Latest news and announcements from USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture