The 22nd edition of the Greenbook highlights Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant projects of Minnesota farmers, ranchers and researchers. These grants support on-farm practices that promote environmental stewardship and conservation of resources as well as improve profitability and quality of life in rural areas.

To date, the annual Greenbook has showcased 281 projects of innovative and creative grant recipients. Many of these projects have contributed to important advances in Minnesota agriculture. 

We are proud of the diversification of our farming community – from the small specialty crop farmers to the large commodity crop farmers – they all work to make Minnesota’s agricultural sector a success.

Greenbook 2011 contains articles on each project with personal observations and management tips from the participants as well as practical and technical information. The project results highlighted in this book are intended to be shared and these grantees are more than willing to talk with you about their experiences. Feel free to give them a call about their projects!

Please contact Alison.Fish@state.mn.us for a printed copy of the entire Greenbook 2011.

Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program

• Grant Program Description (PDF: 168 KB / 1 page) 

Alternative Markets and Specialty Crops

• Growing Cherries in Central Minnesota (PDF: 727 KB / 3 pages) - Altrichter, Pat
• Tree/Shrub Establishment by Direct Seeding on Red Clay Soils Carlton SWCD (PDF: 628 KB / 3 pages) - Matlock, Brad
• Organic Mushroom Cultivation and Marketing in a Northern Climate (PDF: 1.2 MB / 7 pages) - Jacoby, Jill
• Feasibility of Small Farm Commercial Hop Production in Central Minnesota (PDF: 946 KB / 4 pages) - Jones, Robert

Cropping Systems and Soil Fertility

• Fertilizing with Alfalfa Mulches in Field Crops (PDF: 377 KB / 2 pages) - Fernholz, Carmen
• McNamara Filter Strip Demonstration (PDF: 684 KB / 3 pages) - Kennedy, Beau
• Optimizing Alfalfa Fertilization for Sustainable Production (PDF: 352 KB / 2 pages) - Holen, Doug

Fruits and Vegetables

• Using Solar Energy to Heat the Soil and Extend the Growing Season in High Tunnel Vegetable Production (PDF: 768 KB / 5 pages) - Flynn, Dallas
• Growing Blackberries Organically under High Tunnels for Winter Protection and Increased Production (PDF: 1.24 MB / 5 pages) - Gundacker, Erik
• Extended Growing Season for Lettuce (PDF: 731 KB / 3 pages) - Hamp, Michael
• Extended Season Marketing of Asian and Latino Ethnic Vegetables Grown in Quick Hoops and a Moveable Greenhouse (PDF: 806 KB / 4 pages) - Harder, Judy and Steve
• Organic Day-neutral Strawberry Production in Southeast Minnesota (PDF: 739 KB / 5 pages) - Kedem, Sam
• High Tunnel Primocane Blackberry Production in Minnesota - U of M Extensions, Crookston (PDF: 2.51 MB / 10 pages) - Nennich, Terrance T.
• Comparison of Strawberries Grown in a High Tunnel and Outside for Quality and Profitability (PDF: 1.08 MB / 4 pages) - Ornquist, Debbie
• Minimizing the Environmental Impact and Extending the Season of Locally Grown Raspberries (PDF: 346 KB / 6 pages) - Poppe, Steve
• Winter Plant Protection of Blueberries in Northern Minnesota (PDF: 712 KB / 3 pages) - Ringer, Al
• Growing Fresh Cabbage for Markets Using Integrated Pest Management Strategies, Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota (AAHWM) (PDF: 729 KB / 5 pages) - Vang, Ly
• Solar Energy Storage and Heated Raised Beds (PDF: 1.29 MB / 3 pages) - Webb, Diane and Charles

Livestock

• Determining the Cost of Raising Pastured Pork on a Diet Including Whey and Finishing on a Diet Including Acorns (PDF: 613 KB / 4 pages) - Brinkman, Lori
• Determining the Pasture Restoration Potential and Financial Viability of Cornish Cross vs. Red Broilers for a Small (PDF: 640 KB / 3 pages)
• Pastured Poultry Operation in Northeast Minnesota (PDF: 640.28 KB / 3 pages) - Hale, Cindy and Hall, Jeff
• Methods to Establish Grazing of Annual Forages for Beef Cows on Winter Feeding Areas (PDF: 902 KB / 10 pages) - NCROC (PDF: KB / pages) - Mathison, Russell D.
• Fall Forage Mixture for Grass Finishing Livestock Late in the Fall (PDF: 748 KB / 4 pages) - Salzer, Troy
• Increasing the Profitability of Raising Livestock: An Evaluation of Two Methods to Extend the Grazing Season  (PDF: 850 KB / 8 pages) - Thomas, Dean

Program Information

• Completed Grant Projects (PDF: 219 KB / 10 pages)
• Sustainable Agriculture Loan Program and About the Staff (PDF: 162 KB / 2 pages)

MDA Contact

Alison Fish
Alison.Fish@state.mn.us, 651-201-6012
Sustainable Agriculture Program