Michigan State University (MSU)-Led Team Receives $400K MDARD Grant to Study PFAS in Agricultural Fields

Photo by Caleb Clark 

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds used in a variety of household and industrial products for decades. Worldwide research has linked PFAS to health and environmental concerns, with one of the primary focus areas on agriculture.

To better understand how PFAS moves in agricultural systems and develop mitigation strategies,

a team featuring researchers and outreach specialists from Michigan State University and Purdue University has been awarded $400,000 from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

Subhasis Giri, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, leads the four-year project that began in September 2026.

Giri is an expert in hydrology and water quality in natural and man-made systems.

He joined MSU in 2025 as one of six faculty members supported through the Agricultural Resiliency Program, a partnership among MSU, the Michigan Plant Coalition and MDARD geared toward long-term plant agriculture challenges with extreme weather and water.

“We are very thankful to MDARD for their support of our work on this issue of growing importance,” Giri said. “PFAS is a global health threat that requires additional research, particularly within agriculture as it relates to movement through fields and ultimately crop uptake. Our goal is to help affected farmers navigate an increasingly difficult situation while protecting public health and reducing environmental impact.”

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Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.