Introducing the 18th edition of the Greenbook. We highlight the project results of creative and innovative farmers and researchers involved with the Sustainable Agriculture On-farm Demonstration Grant Program.

Greenbook 2007 contains articles highlighting the results of the grantees’ projects and provides practical and technical information. Each article includes personal observations and management tips from the participants. Additionally, these grantees are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with you. They are all dedicated to making Minnesota agriculture more profitable and environmentally friendly. Feel free to give them a call about their projects.

This year’s Greenbook also includes articles on sustainable agriculture provided by the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, a partnership between the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and non-profit organizations. MISA received funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, a program of USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service to help farmers implement sustainable agriculture practices. The articles in Greenbook 2007 present the work done on these projects.

Download/view the Greenbook 2007: Hands of Change (PDF: 2.40 MB / 92 pages)

Alternative Markets and Specialty Crops

• Developing a Saskatoon Berry Market in the Upper Midwest
• Testing the Potential of Hybrid Willow as a Sustainable Biomass Energy Alternative in Northern Minnesota
• Advanced Techniques for Sustained Marketing Success of Team Farmers
• Dream of Wild Health Farm Indigenous Corn Propagation Project
• Decorative Woody Florals Learning Circle

Fruits and Vegetables

• Chokecherry Production in Western Minnesota
• Apple Scab Control Project
• Establishing Healthy Organic Asparagus While Utilizing Minimal Labor and Maintaining Proper Soil Nutrition
• Novel Preplant Strategies for Successful Strawberry Production

Cropping Systems and Soil Fertility

• Improved Management of Rye Cover Crops for Organic Soybean Production
• Rotational Use of High-quality Land: A Three Year Rotation of Pastured Pigs, Vegetable Production, and Annual Forage
• Keeping it Green and Growing: An Aerial Seeding Concept
• Gardening with the Three Sisters: Sustainable Production of Traditional Foods
• Establishing Beneficial Bug Habitats in a Field Crop Setting
• Field Windbreak/Living Snow Fence Crop Yield Assessment

Livestock

• Composting Bedded Pack Barns for Dairy Cows
• Comparing Alternative Laying Hen Breeds
• Managing Hoops and Bedding and Sorting Without Extra Labor
• Demonstration of How Feeding In-Line Wrapped High Moisture Alfalfa/Grass Bales will Eliminate Our Fall and Winter "Flat Spot" in Grassfed Beef Production