The MDA received $4.3 million of Clean Water Funds to support the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota for fiscal years 2020-2021. Thirteen research projects which focus on incorporating perennial and winter annual crops into existing agricultural practices were selected through a request for proposal process administered by the University. The MDA oversees the distribution of funds and coordinates reporting on progress results and outcomes.
The thirteen projects selected for funding in 2020-2021 are listed below.
| Project Title | Recipient (University of Minnesota) |
$$ | Project Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied genomics assisted breeding to improve long-term yield potential of intermediate wheatgrass | James A. Anderson | $349,775 | Active |
| Low-risk, high reward agronomic trials to enhance Kernza development and deployment | Jacob Jungers | $309,283 | Active |
| Expanding the field pennycress breeding program for variety development and rapid response to new challenges | James A. Anderson & Katherine Frels |
$309,034 | Active |
| Unlocking the physiological and environmental mechanisms of Kernza interannual yield decline | Walid Sadok | $309,319 | Active |
| Improving the commercial viability of intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) through the development of value added ingredients and new products | George Annor | $307,419 | Active |
| Impacts of Kernza on water uptake and nitrogen leaching in southwest Minnesota wellhead protection areas | David Mulla | $305,085 | Active |
| Utilizing genetic tools to identify winter camelina lines with early maturity, high protein and reduced glucosinolates | M. David Marks | $201,150 | Active |
| Advancing breeding of Silphium integrifolium as a perennial oilseed crop for Minnesota | Kevin P. Smith | $309,377 | Active |
| Production scale development of Forever Green cropping systems: agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects | Joshua Gamble | $305,465 | Active |
| Evaluating camelina and pennycress as novel sources of plant protein | Baraem Pam Ismail | $309,377 | Active |
| Pennycress and soybean cyst nematode: a solution oriented approach | Kathryn Bushley & Senyu Chen |
$184,717 | Active |
| Genetic structure of perennial flax to enable identification of genes influencing agronomic and horticultural traits | Neil O. Anderson | $150,000 | Active |
| Developing spring and winter pea as profitable and environmentally friendly crops for Minnesota | Robert Stupar | $150,000 | Active |
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