Michigan Farmers Improve Soil Health

By Andi Anderson

Michigan farmers are working closely with Michigan State University researchers to understand how land management practices affect soil health, ecosystem balance, and crop performance. This collaboration is led by soil health expert Christine Sprunger and her research team at the MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station.

More than 90 farms across Michigan are taking part in this large study. Researchers collect soil samples, measure greenhouse gas emissions, and study plant growth on each participating farm. They also learn about farming practices and economic conditions to better understand how different decisions impact soil quality and farm productivity.

The research is supported by the Agricultural Resiliency Program, which provided $1.25 million in funding over three years. This program is a partnership between MSU AgBioResearch, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The research team includes more than a dozen MSU scientists and Extension educators working together across the state.

The main goal of the study is to identify how regenerative agriculture practices can improve soil health, support climate adaptation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The team is also studying why farmers choose to adopt climate-smart practices and how these practices affect long-term farm success.

Early results show that management decisions strongly influence soil health. While soil textures such as sandy, silty, or clay soils do affect soil quality, researchers found that good management can improve soil health even on less fertile soils. Fields managed with care often showed better soil health indicators than fields with naturally heavier soils.

Practices such as reducing tillage, planting cover crops, and growing perennial crops were found to improve soil structure and organic matter. These methods help protect soil, improve water retention, and support beneficial soil organisms.

Researchers confirm that proper land management can boost soil health, stabilize crop yields, and support environmental sustainability. The findings highlight that thoughtful farming practices can lead to healthier soils and stronger farms across Michigan, even under different soil and climate conditions.

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