Project Grant 20266701346723

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Michigan State University $2.94 million on September 15, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to conduct field monitoring, stream measurements, computer modeling, and advanced data analysis to understand water, sediment, and nutrient movement in agricultural watersheds. The project combines monitoring of water flow and nutrient losses from farm fields and streams, identification of major sources of sediment and phosphorus, and evaluation of how different drainage conditions affect water quality and crop production. Researchers will develop predictive models and maps identifying areas with the greatest potential for nutrient losses, with results shared through scientific publications, extension programs, stakeholder meetings, and educational activities.

The award supports work in agricultural watersheds in Michigan and Ohio, with place of performance at East Lansing, Michigan. The project runs from September 15, 2026, through September 14, 2031. The long-term goal is to provide science-based information supporting effective conservation planning and nutrient reduction efforts across the U.S. Corn Belt, with expected benefits including improved targeting of conservation practices, better protection of water resources, enhanced decision-making by farmers and conservation professionals, and continued agricultural productivity. The project will train graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.