Land grant colleges began to offer degree programs in soil science in the twentieth century. As soil science developed, programs began to focus on fundamental sub-disciplines of soil science (biology, chemistry, and physics) and on sub-divisions that applied the fundamental sciences (pedology, fertility, management and conservation). Most of the focus was on agricultural soils. Late in the twentieth century the focus began to shift from maximizing production to sustainable production that sought to balance productivity and environmental stewardship. In the twenty-first century it has become clear that soils not only serve agriculture but also such diverse needs as those of ecosystems, water and air quality, and human health.

A new direction is required for soil science if it is effectively to answer the challenges of the twenty-first century. Soil science programs must further mature and develop in two distinct ways. One change must involve a shift in teaching and research away from over-emphasis on narrow, sub-discipline activities and toward a balance between sub-discipline and integrated activities. This change does not remove the need for educating our students in basic soil biology, chemistry, physics, and pedology, but it puts a new balanced emphasis on integrated, whole-soil research. A second change is for soil science to break out of isolationism in order to engage other natural scientists who focus on different parts of terrestrial and certain aquatic ecosystems. There is a critical need for soil scientists to be active on interdisciplinary ecological studies and environmental studies. Educational teams and research teams addressing natural terrestrial systems should require the involvement of soil scientists. The twenty-first century is a time for soil science to come of age and to fully join other natural science disciplines as a partner in terrestrial ecosystem study and management.