Research for Healthy Soils Act

This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, designating research into microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on farmland as a high-priority area. This initiative specifically targets the agricultural impacts of these contaminants, particularly those originating from land-applied biosolids or compost, aiming to understand their presence and effects on soil and crops. The legislation authorizes research and extension grants for a comprehensive range of activities, including surveying contaminant concentrations, developing filtration and biodegradation techniques, and analyzing impacts on agricultural crops and soil health, such as uptake by crops or livestock. It also supports research into how wastewater processing affects these substances, their fate and transport on farmland, and methods for remediating contaminated soil and water systems. Additionally, the bill extends the reauthorization for high-priority research and extension initiatives from 2023 to 2031 , ensuring sustained funding for these critical agricultural studies.