** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED TO IDENTIFY AND ADOPT ANIMAL WASTE (FECES, URINE, AND/OR BEDDING MATERIALS) MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT INCREASE NUTRIENT RECOVERY AND RECYCLING, AND LOWER COSTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, ENHANCING AGROECOSYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A DECISION-SUPPORT FRAMEWORK THAT AIDS STAKEHOLDERS IN MAKING INFORMED CHOICES ON THE UTILIZATION OF ANIMAL WASTE. HYDROTHERMALLY-TREATED (PROPOSED) AND UNTREATED (CONVENTIONAL) ANIMAL WASTES WILL BE COMPARED FOR APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURAL LAND IN MAUMEE RIVER WATERSHED. THE HYDROTHERMAL CARBONIZATION PROCESS CONDITIONS WILL BE OPTIMIZED TO PRODUCE HYDROCHAR AND EVALUATE ITS PERFORMANCE AS A SOIL AMENDMENT ON NUTRIENT DYNAMICS, AND SOIL, WATER AND PLANT RESPONSES. N AND P AVAILABILITY, DEMAND, BALANCES AND USE EFFICIENCY WILL BE ASSESSED AT MULTI-SPATIAL SCALES. TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ESTIMATE COSTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED AND CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES. A MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION SUPPORT FRAMEWORK WILL BE DEVELOPED AND TESTED FOR ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT. THE PROPOSED APPROACH HAS HUGE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE MATERIAL HANDLING AND UTILIZATION IN WAYS THAT CAN IMPROVE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS VIA ENHANCED AGROECOSYSTEM SERVICES, INCLUDING SOIL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY, AND REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS; THUS, IT ALIGNS WITH USDA/NIFA/AFRI PROGRAM AREA PRIORITY OF 'SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS: HEALTH, FUNCTIONS, PROCESSES AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (A1451)'.