Basso Leads the Charge for Regenerative Agriculture to Save the Great Lakes

July 14, 2025

As the Great Lakes region grapples with escalating pollution from agricultural runoff, Dr. Bruno Basso of Michigan State University is at the forefront of efforts to align farming practices with environmental stewardship. A professor at MSU’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, Basso’s research highlights the critical link between sustainable agriculture and water quality, offering solutions that benefit both farmers and ecosystems.

"Ultimately, our goal is to support decision-making that aligns agricultural productivity with water quality goals," Basso explained. His work focuses on scalable strategies that mitigate nutrient runoff—particularly phosphorus and nitrogen—that contribute to harmful algal blooms and dead zones in the Great Lakes.

One of Basso’s key findings centers on the integration of livestock systems with regenerative agricultural practices. His research demonstrates that healthy, resilient soils—enhanced through methods like rotational grazing and composting—are essential for filtering excess nutrients, retaining water, and storing carbon. “Resilient soils act as a foundation for sustainable agriculture,” he said, emphasizing their role in both environmental and public health, especially in vulnerable regions like the Great Lakes basin.

Basso’s insights are particularly relevant to small-scale operations like Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, Michigan. Though not directly affiliated, the sanctuary’s use of rotational grazing and managed manure composting aligns closely with Basso’s research priorities. He underscores that “improved manure management offers powerful opportunities to close nutrient cycles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address nutrient surpluses.”

In partnership with researchers and through data-driven modeling, Basso’s lab continues to quantify the ecological benefits of regenerative agriculture. From reducing erosion to improving soil fertility, his work paves the way for a more sustainable agricultural future—one where protecting freshwater resources and maintaining productive farmland go hand in hand.

As Basso puts it, “These integrated systems represent the future of sustainable agriculture.”

Read the original article at Great Lakes Now