This action provides funding in the amount of $1,403,204 to mississippi state university

EPA Region 4 awarded Mississippi State University $1,403,204 under the Geographic Programs—Gulf of America Program (CFDA 66.475) on April 1, 2026, to support water quality improvements in the Gulf of America through Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

The project assesses nutrient and herbicide movement via on-farm trials and demonstrates how slag bioreactors enhance environmental stewardship without reducing agricultural production. Deliverables include runoff and soil-water nutrient concentration and load reductions from slag bioreactor stormwater treatment solutions, and design curves reports for phosphorus removal and bioreactor sizing. Expected outcomes encompass increased farmer capacity to protect and manage local water resources, and improved transparency and public participation in environmental and water quality goals across the Mid-South.

The university executes soil nutrient, soil carbon, and soil health parameter assessments within farm plots; supervises personnel collecting and handling soil samples; and manages runoff sample collection. Intended beneficiaries are farmers and communities in and around Stoneville and Starkville, Mississippi.

The award obligates $1,403,204, with a period of performance from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. Work is performed in Mississippi.

Description

This action provides funding in the amount of $1,403,204 to mississippi state university. The purpose of this project is to provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america. Activities to be performed include assessing nutrient and herbicide movement through an on-farm trial and demonstrating how slag bioreactors enhance environmental stewardship without impacting agricultural production. Anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include runoff and soil-water nutrient concentration and load reductions from creative stormwater treatment solutions (slag bioreactors), and design curves reports for phosphorus removal and bioreactor size. Expected outcomes include increased capacity for farmers to protect and take ownership over local water resources, and improved transparency and public participation toward environmental goals and water quality protection across the mid-south. Intended beneficiaries include the farmers and communities in and around stoneville and starkville, mississippi will benefit from improved water quality and conservation practices.activities:-subrecipient:subrecipient activities include coordinating soil nutrient, soil carbon, and other soil health parameter assessments within the farm plots, supervising personnel to collect and handle soil samples, and managing runoff samples.outcomes:-