20266801247152

For thousands of years, weeds have been the single largest threat to food production, traditionally requiring grueling manual labor to control.

The mid-20th-century invention of modern herbicides revolutionized American agriculture, freeing workers to fuel industrial growth and creating the high-efficiency food system we rely on today.

However, no major new herbicide types have been brought to market in over three decades, and weeds across the nation are rapidly evolving resistance to our entire chemical toolkit.

Without effective control options, farmers face collapsing crop yields, skyrocketing operating costs, or a forced return to heavy mechanical soil tillage that undermines soil health and accelerates carbon release.

This crisis extends far beyond the farm gate: unmanaged weed resistance directly threatens national food security, risks driving up everyday grocery prices for families, and destabilizes the economic foundation of rural communities.

To tackle this challenge, our nationwide team of scientists, economists, and educators is establishing a united research and outreach platform to deliver both immediate and long-term solutions.

In laboratories, we are decoding weed genetics to uncover why resistance happens, building rapid field diagnostic tools similar to simple test strips, and developing cutting-edge biotechnologies like targeted gene-silencing sprays.

Across commercial farms in six states, we are running real-world field trials to test non-chemical strategies—such as cover crops, specialized planting densities, and smart mechanical tools—to pinpoint exact practices that suppress weeds while maximizing farm profitability.

Crucially, we are translating these scientific breakthroughs directly into everyday practice by establishing new national professional certifications for crop advisors, creating open-access digital learning modules, and training the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Ultimately, this project builds a resilient, sustainable weed management framework that protects farm livelihoods, preserves soil and environmental health, stabilizes consumer food costs, and secures America's agricultural future.

Michigan State University

NOT APPLICABLE

10.310 - Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (IFSN) [USDA - NIFA]

East Lansing, Michigan 48824 United States

Single Zip Code

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Strengthening Agricultural Systems (USDA-NIFA-AFRI-011677)