Agriculture

Agricultural Profile

This project was to establish a complementary agri-environmental database for the characteristics and trends in production, land-use and environmental impact in the Great Lakes Basin. It provides background data and associated analyses regarding agricultural impacts on the Great Lakes economy and environment. This information will support the development of an agenda for Great Lakes agriculture research and policy needs for consideration by the Great Lakes Protection Fund and other interested parties in the Basin.

Atrazine Risk Mapping

Atrazine is a valuable herbicide for corn growers because it can effectively control weeds and its cost is relatively low. However, atrazine is also susceptible to leaching and runoff which may cause water pollutions. This project used the models developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to produce user-friendly risk assessment maps which help farmers make informed decisions.

Manure Management

Animal manure can be used as valuable nutrients in cropland. Application of manure may also lead to potential environmental contamination such as leaching to groundwater, and undesirable odors. Use of manure management program can provide farmers a guidance for efficient and environmental-friendly manure management. 

Rural Development Through the Forestry Program

This project aims to demonstrate and evaluate a prototype multi-purpose natural resource decision system that is web accessible. It will integrate a variety of physical and socio-economic spatial databases. This information system will provide guidance relative to sensitive or endangered natural resource areas and species, and areas of high vulnerability to ground water contamination and/or surface runoff, and address other environmental issues.

County Soil Maps

Digital soil maps provide critical information for many agriculture related research. Follow this link to browse a map of Michigan soil. There is a drop down menu with all the counties listed on the left. All currently available county digital soil maps are colored yellow. Click on the county you would like to access or choose from the drop down menu to start the map viewer program. If you are using a 28.8 modem to access the internet, please allow about one (1) minute for the map to completely appear.