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Office of Agricultural Science and Research

Office of Agricultural Science and Research

The Office of Agricultural Science and Research (OASR) provides scientific research and guidance to the department.

We support the scientific needs of the department by providing research expertise and facilitating evidence-based adaptive management across MDARD’s units and programs, with the goal of improving environmental outcomes and agricultural resiliency throughout the state. Additionally, our staff engage with internal and external stakeholders to communicate scientific interests and priorities, and to enhance research partnerships with academia and other local, state, or federal organizations.

Contact Us:

Dr. Laura Johnson
Chief Science Officer
517-290-0365
JohnsonL95@michigan.gov

Our Work

Our wide-ranging work falls into these focus areas related to Michigan’s agricultural sector:

Emerging Contaminants

There are substances in our environment that, in large quantities, can be dangerous to human or animal health. We consider these to be environmental contaminants. At MDARD, we’re most concerned with how emerging contaminants interact with agriculture and the broader food system.

Climate Resilience and Soil Health

Climate resilience is the ability for agricultural and food systems to withstand unusual weather or changes in normal seasons across Michigan’s diversity of food, fuel, and fiber production. Soil health is the ability for soils to support plant life, and healthy soils are critical to Michigan’s agricultural resilience.

Water Quality and Quantity

Water quantity and quality refers to the amounts of water that enter into and exit out of our water system in Michigan, and the state of that water as it interacts with the landscape and human uses.

Plant and Animal Health

Animal health means how healthy and well cared for privately owned animals are. It includes things like whether diseases are present, whether their food is safe, and whether medicines still work effectively.

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring means regularly checking natural resources like water and soil. It involves collecting and studying data to understand what’s happening in the environment. Using a science-driven review of natural resources, we draw informed conclusions.

Additional Resources:

  • Mission

    Our mission is to enhance and support the scientific needs of MDARD to help develop new programs and policies using scientific insight and improve on existing programs and policies.

  • Vision

    An agency where scientific research and policy interact in a meaningful way to ensure food safety and security, optimize animal health, and protect natural resources such that Michigan is a nationwide leader in agricultural sustainability and resiliency.