Conservation practices grants now available for farmers in the River Raisin Watershed April 27, 2021 Farmers can sign up for conservation practices grants such as crop rotation and filter strips before May 21, 2021. Soybean growing in no-till field. Photo by Ricardo Costa, MSU Extension. The Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University is working with producers and various conservation partners to improve water quality in Lake Erie by reducing nutrient runoff and sediment loss from farm fields. As part of their goal, the Institute of Water Research coordinates a grant in the River Raisin Watershed called the Accelerating Conservation Adoption Program, where participating farmers within the River Raisin Watershed are eligible to apply for reimbursement for the following conservation practices through the Lenawee Conservation District: