In his first 15 months as president of Michigan State University, Kevin Guskiewicz has been impressed with the partnership within Michigan agriculture, evidenced by the construction of a new dairy research center and renovation of campus greenhouse facilities.
During a Wednesday meeting with the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Guskiewicz said it’s a partnership he intends to continue, noting it will prove vital to ensuring that the future of the nation’s first land-grant institution meets the research needs of agriculture in Michigan and across the country.
“The Michigan Farm Bureau has been a huge advocate for the work that we do,” said Guskiewicz, pointing to the ongoing construction of new agricultural research facilities.
“I think that this is a true partnership.”
The new 550-head dairy research center and the greenhouse renovation projects were the direct result of the state’s agricultural industry advocating for funding and unmet research needs, Guskiewicz said.
“We want to continue to hear from the Farm Bureau about ways we can have an even greater impact on the farmers across the state,” Guskiewicz told the MFB board.
That advocacy will be even more crucial in addressing current federal budget cuts.
“Every institution across the country has anxiety right now around federal funding, and we have to continue to advocate for the important partnership that exists between research universities and the federal government, whether it’s biomedical research, whether it's around farming and climate change and clean water -- things that are so important to us here in Michigan,” Guskiewicz said.
According to Guskiewicz USAID funding cuts involving ag-bio research, vet medicine and natural sciences, have totaled $23 million since the end of January.
“That takes a hit and it's unfortunate to lay off some of our employees that can impact the work that happens locally, even though most folks think that USAID funding is pushing money overseas,” he said, noting much of the USAID-related work happens on campus.
“We have lost significant funding already, as have most institutions around the country, which is why partnerships such as the one we have at Michigan State with the Michigan Farm Bureau are so important. We're grateful for that partnership, and I want to do everything as Michigan State's president to strengthen (it),” he added.
Guskiewicz said that as federal budget cuts over the last six months begin to have an impact, he anticipates the funding gaps for research will force change and the restoration of some federal funding.
“I think that the Farm Bureau and the farmers across the state can definitely play a role and continue to advocate for the important research, the partnership, (and) the education that exists,” he said.
While embracing the rich heritage of MSU as a land-grant, public research university, Guskiewicz is challenging university deans and leaders to think long term in “preparing students for careers and industries that don't even yet exist today.”
“The students we graduated in early May of 2025, they'll be retiring from their careers around the year 2075,” he said. “Think about how the farming industry is going to change and evolve over the next 50 years.
“That's our responsibility as a proudly public research university to best prepare our students for those future jobs and careers.”
A key play in making that expectation a reality, according to Guskiewicz, will be current interim dean of the College of Ag and Natural Resources (CANR), Matthew Daum, who has been recommended for the position on a permanent basis, pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustee in June.
With career experience working for Hewlett Packard, Daum served as director of CANR’s MSU School of Packaging, which is considered a top-ranked program in the country.
“Matt Daum has done a great job as our interim dean — he's a true leader and expert,” Guskiewicz said.
“He's as interdisciplinary as it gets in terms of an academic leader and has brought other departments into the College of Ag and Natural Resources to partner with them to find new solutions in this important space for us and ag bio research is a big part of that.”