Soil to Society

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Soil to Society SAS Soil to Society Project is a USDA-funded project producing healthy, affordable whole grain food.

The SAS Soil to Society project is a 5-year USDA-funded project in collaboration between Washington State University, Johns Hopkins University, Viva Farms, USDA AFRI, and Kansas State University. This interdisciplinary project employs researchers in the crop and soil sciences, food science, and health and medicine disciplines to create more nutritious, affordable, and accessible whole grain-based foods. By addressing gaps in current knowledge and tracing the flow of nutrients from agricultural systems and food production to human consumption, this project will encourage a synthesis of more sustainable agricultural management strategies and healthy and affordable food products to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities.

Missed our most recent newsletter?You can find all of our past newsletters on our website at https://www.soiltosociety.o...
09/15/2026

Missed our most recent newsletter?

You can find all of our past newsletters on our website at https://www.soiltosociety.org/newsletters

Special thanks to Sadikshya Poudel, PhD candidate with Dr. Robert Brueggeman in WSU's Barley Breeding Lab, for her contributions to this quarter's newsletter.

Are you a high school student interested in science?Do you want to gain field and/or lab experience while exploring the ...
04/06/2026

Are you a high school student interested in science?

Do you want to gain field and/or lab experience while exploring the connection between sustainable agriculture and human health?

Apply for our 2026 Summer Research Opportunity today!

Applications can be found on our website at https://www.soiltosociety.org/summer-research-opportunity and are due April 17th.

Happy World Pulses Day!Colorful. Nutritious. Planet‑friendly.Pulses, including lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas, are t...
02/10/2026

Happy World Pulses Day!

Colorful. Nutritious. Planet‑friendly.
Pulses, including lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas, are tiny seeds fueling a healthier planet and healthier people.

They boost soil health, strengthen biodiversity, and deliver essential nutrients we all need.

But here’s the plot twist ➡️
📈 Fewer than 7% of U.S. adults and kids eat lentils or dried peas in a day, but intake has been slowly increasing since 2003. Let's continue this trend!

Soil to Society researchers found that:
✨ Lentils are nutrient‑dense + affordable
✨ Most people eat them at lunch & dinner
✨ Lentil curry + hummus = top dishes
✨ Almost all purchases happen at grocery stores

Imagine the impact if more of us added these climate‑smart, budget‑friendly foods to our plates.

Want to learn more? Check out our full study for deeper insights. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/2/277

🎉 Celebrating Year 4 at Soil to Society! 🌱Our Year 4 Wrap-Up Newsletter is here — a reflection on the milestones, moment...
10/10/2025

🎉 Celebrating Year 4 at Soil to Society! 🌱

Our Year 4 Wrap-Up Newsletter is here — a reflection on the milestones, momentum, and meaningful connections we've built together.

📬 Inside this edition:
✅ Research & Impact highlights
✅ Community Partnerships
✅ Events & Engagement
✅ What’s Ahead in Year 5

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s next.

Read the full newsletter here: www.soiltosociety.org/newsletters

🥞 Introducing Farm-to-School Buckwheat Pancake Mix 🌾This past year, WSU Thurston County Extension Office teamed up with ...
09/11/2025

🥞 Introducing Farm-to-School Buckwheat Pancake Mix 🌾

This past year, WSU Thurston County Extension Office teamed up with farmers, processors, schools, and food service experts to create a delicious, nutritious pancake mix made from locally grown buckwheat!

An example of collaborative innovation where...
- Farmers across WA & OR grew and tested buckwheat varieties
- Processors (WSU School of Food Science and Cascade Milling) helped develop a shelf-stable mix for school kitchens
- School food service teams ensured it met nutrition & prep standards
Students get a tasty, healthy breakfast—grown close to home!

🎥 Check out the how-to video and learn how this mix supports local ag and school meals!
https://youtu.be/dGggZUom7ug?si=3FuFew0VwEHMZqgk

👉https://extension.wsu.edu/thurston/buckwheat-extension/

This video illustrates how to use a Washington-grown and manufactured, whole grain buckwheat pancake mix that was developed for farm-to-school programs. Food...

🚨New Journal Article🚨Our food science team has been hard at work utilizing innovative microwave technologies to produce ...
06/05/2025

🚨New Journal Article🚨

Our food science team has been hard at work utilizing innovative microwave technologies to produce shelf-stable lentil hummus and we are happy to share their results!

Go to the links below to read the full journal article and Scott Weybright, from WSU Insider's, article on their efforts.

https://www.soiltosociety.org/publications
https://www.soiltosociety.org/news-and-media

Photo credit: Burcu Tenderis

Honored to be selected at the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Faculty and Staff Awards...
04/25/2025

Honored to be selected at the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Faculty and Staff Awards as the recipient of this year’s Team Interdisciplinary Award.

Thank you to all of our project's researchers, partners, and contributors who have made the last 3.5 years so successful!

Intern highlight: Jane ParkJane studied barley low-phytic acid (lpa) mutants to improve micronutrient availability, focu...
04/17/2025

Intern highlight: Jane Park

Jane studied barley low-phytic acid (lpa) mutants to improve micronutrient availability, focusing on the lpa1-1 mutant. Phytic acid binds essential minerals, limiting their absorption in the human body. Thus, developing a hulless lpa barley variety is key.

Her research involved extracting DNA from barley embryos, conducting gel analysis, developing and validating a PACE marker for the lpa1-1 gene, and screening lines containing this gene for further improvement.

Want to participate in our summer research opportunity? Applications are open!

Learn more and apply through the link below.
https://www.soiltosociety.org/summer-research-opportunity

Reminder that we are currently accepting applications for our 2025 Summer Research Opportunity!🚨The deadline to apply ha...
04/03/2025

Reminder that we are currently accepting applications for our 2025 Summer Research Opportunity!

🚨The deadline to apply has been extended until April 18th🚨

For more information and to apply, go to the link below.
https://www.soiltosociety.org/summer-research-opportunity

Intern highlight: Nathan SuttonNathan's study addressed the critical issue of iron and zinc deficiencies affecting over ...
03/31/2025

Intern highlight: Nathan Sutton

Nathan's study addressed the critical issue of iron and zinc deficiencies affecting over 1.1 billion people worldwide by developing enhanced wheat varieties. His approach involved breeding wheat lines that integrate specific genetic traits to improve both yield and nutrient content, particularly focusing on increasing iron and zinc levels.

Want to participate in our summer research opportunity? Applications are now open!

Learn more and apply through the link in our bio.

Address

Clark Hall Rm. 379 PO Box 646420 College Of Agricultural, Human, And Natural Resource Sciences Washington State University
Pullman, WA
99164

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