A group of researchers led by Jennifer Blesh, associate professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), has received a $4 million grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to investigate farm management practices to restore soil health in the Western Lake Erie Basin. In addition to issues with soil degradation, the fertilizers used by farmers to keep fields productive and provide nutrients to crops are also helping fuel the lake’s infamous and harmful algal blooms. Blesh's team aims to work with farmers to minimize the impact of these fertilizers without compromising crop yields.