The Soil Resource Management National Program (NP-202) of the USDA–Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has recently been reviewed and is currently being revised for its next 5-year cycle. The review process provided opportunities for reflection, discussion and education regarding the critical research issues associated with soil resource management throughout the U.S. Our objective is to present several viewpoints that emerged during this review and planning process. Ideas expressed by ARS Soil Scientists as well as feedback from an external review panel will be shared. The expected outcomes of this presentation include a better understanding of the ARS research planning process, an increased awareness of the accomplishments and unresolved problems associated with soil resource management during the first five years of this National Program, as well as the opportunities and challenges identified as critical research needs for the next five years.