When people hear about MSU, a few instant characteristics come to mind.
Namely sports and agriculture.
For that reason, it seems fitting that out of the more than $2 million in grants MSU received due to outstanding research, a large part will go toward the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The agriculture college has expanded to create all different kinds of agriculture including sustainable agriculture, which will receive $384,000 of the granted money. Agricultural research itself might receive even more.
And before you think it's just money to teach students how to milk a cow and grow corn, you should know sustainable agricultural research is something that will benefit industry in the future.
Sustainable agriculture research will develop ways to feed and make better products for posterity. It also will include planning for proper land use and environmental responsibility.
Research in alternative fuel sources is also becoming important as oil prices increase and supply becomes scarce.
Although the agriculture college is being rewarded for its work, the money was also given with an additional thought in mind. State officials believe that giving this money to MSU will help boost Michigan's economy.
Local officials, such as MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, and industry leaders recognize the impact MSU research has on the economic stability of the entire state.
Agriculture is one of Michigan's largest industries. Helping it progress to develop products and methods for future needs is stepping in the right direction.
This money will not only benefit MSU on the state level, but this will also boost our funding at the national level. State funding gives researchers the means to fund projects that might qualify for national grants.
It's good for the college of agriculture to be recognized and rewarded for building great programs. The success of these programs will help protect them against budget cuts come February.
But the rest of the grant money will be used for other types of research.
The university has the capability to do so many different things with research and developing in other fields.
This is what MSU is all about.
