PFAS Research Project in Agricultural Systems
A team of researchers from Michigan State University and Purdue University has received a grant to better understand PFAS in agricultural systems. PFAS in agriculture is a top research area due to its impact on food and food production. Led by MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering assistant professor Subhasis Giri, the team has secured $400K from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
The project, which began in September 2026, will span four years and is one of five projects supported by MDARD’s Office of Agricultural Science and Research. Its goals are to enhance Michigan’s food and agriculture industry, improve environmental outcomes, and boost agricultural resilience.
Giri’s project will collaborate with corn and soybean growers whose fields have tested positive for PFAS. Soil samples from these fields will be collected to establish baseline contaminant concentrations and track their movement through soil and water. Demonstration plots will be established to examine the rate of transfer from soil to corn and soybean plants during growth.
The study will also explore practices that might mitigate PFAS movement, such as planting cover crops and reducing tillage, as well as examining groundwater and runoff. The outcome will be outreach resources, including fact sheets, online information, presentations at industry meetings, and direct farmer meetings, to raise awareness about PFAS impacts in agriculture and help address the issue.
Subhasis Giri expressed gratitude towards MDARD for their support:
"We are very thankful to MDARD for their support of our work on this issue of growing importance. PFAS is a global health threat that requires further research, especially within agriculture to understand movement through fields and crop uptake. Our goal is to assist affected farmers in navigating their difficult situation while safeguarding public health and minimizing environmental impact."
"PFAS contamination is causing many farmers to give up growing crops or raising animals. This is a problem that affects health, the environment, food safety and security, and the livelihoods of food producers. We aim to develop solutions to enable farmers to return to farming."
MDARD Director Tim Boring commented:
"MDARD is investing in research to enhance our ability to protect Michiganders, our land, and our livestock from PFAS and other emerging contaminants. By comprehending how these chemicals move through agricultural systems, we can implement measures to lessen their impact. The grants reflect MDARD’s commitment to proactive science and research to safeguard Michigan’s food and agriculture sector now and in the future."
Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its first-ever PFAS TECH strategy, encouraging collaboration to develop practical tools, funds, and technological assistance to reduce PFAS and its impacts. You can read more about the strategy here.