Michigan receives $4M for soil health

By Andi Anderson

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has awarded a $4 million grant to the University of Michigan as part of Governor Whitmer's Healthy Climate Initiative.

Announced by MDARD Director Tim Boring, this grant focuses on advancing research to improve soil health and water quality within Michigan's portion of the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB). The funds will also support efforts to promote climate-smart regenerative agriculture practices and monitor water quality in the WLEB.

“Governor Whitmer's bipartisan budget reflects the state's dedication to addressing the climate challenges faced by Michigan’s farming community, particularly issues affecting water quality,” said Director Boring. “Understanding soil health indicators is critical to helping farmers implement best practices that reduce nutrient loss from farm fields, improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin.”

Starting in the summer of 2024, the University of Michigan research team will collaborate with local farmers in the WLEB and farms practicing climate-smart farming techniques.

The team will collect data on soil health and management practices to identify the most effective approaches for optimizing nutrient use efficiency and minimizing nutrient runoff.

Lead Investigator and Associate Professor Jennifer Blesh from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability emphasized the importance of data collection in this project. “We will combine field-scale data from various farms in the basin with water quality monitoring to better predict how management changes influence water quality,” Blesh said. “These results will enhance conservation program guidelines, directing resources toward practices that achieve environmental, social, and economic goals.”

This research directly supports Michigan’s strategy to reduce nutrient loss from farm fields, improve soil health, and combat harmful algal blooms in the WLEB.

Expanding the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and increasing water quality monitoring efforts will have long-term benefits for both the environment and the agricultural community.

The grant demonstrates Michigan’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the state’s natural resources are protected for future generations.

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