Lark Joins MSU to Advance Agricultural Resiliency Research

By Andi Anderson

Michigan State University (MSU) is welcoming Tyler Lark as an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences.

Starting in August 2025, Lark will join the Agricultural Resiliency Program, a collaboration aimed at tackling long-term plant agriculture issues related to extreme weather, land use, and water management.

Lark previously worked at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he led research on U.S. agricultural land use change and its impacts on land and water. His work helped map irrigation systems, protect farmland from urbanization, and guide conservation policy.

“Understanding agricultural land use is essential for designing and implementing effective conservation and production systems,” Lark said. His research blends satellite data with on-farm insights to analyze how landscapes change and how regenerative practices can boost environmental and farm resilience.

He also led the land use modeling team for Farms Under Threat 2040, a report developed with American Farmland Trust, which forecasted the effects of urban growth and climate change on productive U.S. farmland.

At MSU, Lark’s position is one of six new faculty roles under the Agricultural Resiliency Program. This initiative, supported by MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, along with state and industry partners, aims to improve Michigan agriculture’s response to climate challenges.

“Dr. Lark brings tremendous knowledge in the areas of land use, geospatial modeling, irrigation practices and resilient agricultural systems,” said Wei Zhang, interim chairperson of Lark’s new department.

Lark, also a science advisor to the USDA Farm Service Agency since 2024, brings a unique combination of academic and government experience. He holds degrees in engineering, mathematics, and a Ph.D. in environmental and natural resources.

By partnering directly with farmers, Lark aims to co-create practical, science-backed solutions for agricultural sustainability across Michigan.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu