MSU Receives USDA Grant to Improve Agricultural Water Quality

Nov 19, 2020

By Ricardo Costa

USDA grant provides opportunity to improve agricultural water quality by accelerating the adoption of a conservation drainage practice.

Saturated buffer

Saturated buffer.

Ehsan Ghane, assistant professor and Extension specialist at the Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, will lead a three-year, $614,00 grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The goal of the project is to improve agricultural water quality by accelerating the adoption of saturated buffers. A saturated buffer is a type of a conservation drainage practice that reduces nitrate loss from subsurface-drained fields. Too much nitrate in surface water causes low levels of oxygen (hypoxia). Low oxygen levels in water kill fish, which negatively affect the economy and environment.

In this project, a qualified team of experts with diverse backgrounds will develop a user-friendly online tool to improve the design of saturated buffers on specific farms. The value of the online tool is to show the best design that removes more nitrate at a lower cost of the saturated buffer.

Farmers want to protect water quality while producing crops. This tool will give them the means to see the benefit of a saturated buffer on their farm. Once the tool is developed, Michigan State University Extension will offer workshops to educate people on using the tool.

Source : msu.edu

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.