A team of MSU researchers has received $750,000. grant from the  U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to evaluate soil health changes from rainfall and/or drought.

The team will explore the effects summer weather patterns of extreme droughts and intensive rainfalls have on soils in Midwest corn, soybean and wheat production systems.

According to the National Weather Service, many areas of Michigan experienced one of the driest months of May on record.  Lansing had the fifth driest, while Grand Rapids saw it's second driest.  The lack of precipitation stunted the progress of many crops across the state.

Researchers are focusing on two primary determinations of soil health: structure and organic matter.

A four year experiment will be initiated at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners.