Douglas and Maria Bayer New Initiatives Fund for Sustainable Agriculture
The Douglas and Maria Bayer New Initiatives Fund for Sustainable Agriculture was established in 2015 through a $1 million pledge from MSU alumni Doug and Maria Bayer.
As a result of the gift, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is able to provide seed funding to support collaborative research projects in sustainable agriculture and food systems. These projects bring researchers together from MSU and beyond to turn this seed funding into major external grant opportunities.
A request for proposals process is used to select projects for funding. Proposed projects directly support new discoveries and practical applications in sustainable agriculture and food systems in areas such as food security, sustainability and minimizing environmental degradation.
Doug Bayer is a retired software engineer who received a doctorate in nuclear physics from MSU, and Maria Bayer is a retired teacher who earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the university.
Funded Projects
-
New MSU research projects supported by sustainable agriculture funds
Published on June 10, 2024
Two new projects will be funded by the Bayer New Initiatives Fund for Sustainable Agriculture and the Sustainable Michigan Fund. -
Three MSU projects receive seed funding for sustainable agriculture collaborations
Published on July 20, 2023
Grants seek to lay foundation for continued research for advancing food system health -
New MSU research supported by sustainable agriculture fund
Published on May 12, 2022
Researchers are studying land management decisions made by owners of both farmland and woodland. The work is supported by MSU alumni Doug and Maria Bayer.