MDARD Awards Nearly $57,000 in Grants for Horticulture Research in Michigan

By Lynsey Mukomel

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced the recipients of the 2025 Horticulture Fund Grant, awarding nearly $57,000 to support innovative research projects that advance Michigan's $1.4 billion nursery and ornamental horticulture industry.

"MDARD supports innovation in horticulture as part of our broader commitment to agricultural sustainability and prosperity in Michigan,"  said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "By investing in practical, science-based solutions, MDARD can help growers adapt to new challenges, use resources more efficiently, and expand their businesses."

Following a competitive review process conducted by the Horticulture Fund Advisory Committee, MDARD selected three projects to receive a total of $56,707 in funding. The projects will focus on:

• Developing commercial-scale woodchip bioreactors to remove agrochemicals from recycled irrigation water at a wholesale Michigan greenhouse. This project is led by Tom Fernandez, a Professor at Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture.
• Investigating chemical mowing as an innovative technique for controlling weeds in ornamental tree production. This project is led by Debalina Saha, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture.