AFREC Meeting Information

Members present: Jeff Pagel, Scott Barnes, Pete Ewing, Ryan Kelbrants, Warren Formo, Dan Schmitz, Bob Lindeman, Mark Jossund, Grant Anderson, Bev Durgan, Emma Burt

Guests: Bruce Montgomery Dan Kaiser, Vasu Sharma, Emma Haydock, Lee Helgen, Daneile, Issacson, Brent Williams, Sergio Cabello Leiva, Steve Brusven, Jack Wilcox, Yuxin Miao, Mike Schmitt, John Lamb, Paul McDivitt, Patrick Murray, Steve Comerford

MDA staff: Margaret Wagner, Russ Derickson

Jeff Pagel opened the meeting at 9:00am with introduction of those in attendance.

Bruce Montgomery provided an overview of the AFREC meeting agenda and planned oral updates by current researchers. He also updated the Council on the new AFREC project proposals that came in.  There were 19 continuation projects requesting $1,903,415 in funding and 16 new project proposal requesting $1, 342, 380 for a grand total of $2,435, 795 for all funding requests

Research updates

• Yuxin Miao - Developing Guidelines for Variable Rate Nitrogen Management of Corn for Minnesota   
• Yuxin Miao - Developing Proximal and Remote Sensing-based Precision Sulfur Management Strategies
• Vasu Sharma - No-till, cover crops, irrigation management impacts on water and N efficiency and quality in corn-soy
• Dan Kaiser - Do crops uptake potassium from the sub-soil?
• Mike Schmitt - Collaborative U of M Extension Communications for AFREC-funded Research Projects
• Lindsey Pease - Quantifying Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus After Subsurface Installations
• Lindsey Pease - Tracking In-Season Mineralization of Cover Crop Residue in Strip-Tilled Sugar Beet

Bruce Montgomery discussion on the plans for the AFREC summer meeting. Looking at the Crookston area. The meeting will likely coincide with the summer NWROC field days. Bruce asked for any recommendations on other possible tour stops in the Crookston vicinity.

MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen gave the Council some MDA updates and provided some comments from the last effort to re-authorize the AFREC legislation and the resulting changes. He also took some time to provide an outlook into the next timing of reauthorizing the AFREC statutes.

New AFREC 2025-26 project overview presentations:

Russ Derickson provided guidance to the Council on the ETAM forms and the 2025-26 project proposal list. Project Scoring sheets and a PDF of the project proposal will be sent out after the meeting.    Peer Technical review team will provide some project comments on Dec 18th. Project scores from Council members are due Jan 2, 2026.

The Council had discussion of project scoring continuation projects vs new projects. Consensus was to score all projects like has been done in previous years. 

Meeting adjourned at 4:05pm

July 21, 2025

Members attending:  Steve Brusven, Bev Durgan, Scott Barnes, Warren Formo, Emma Burt, Ryan Kelbrants, Dan Schmitz, Craig LaPlante, Rodney Moe, James Checkel, Craig See, Matt Kruger, Grant Anderson

Others attending: Bruce Montgomery, Jack Wilcox, Mike Schmitt, Jeff Vetsch, Paul McDivitt, Fabian Fernandez, Lee Helgen, Emma Haydock, Carl Rosen, Dan Kaiser, Gyle Randall, Patrick Murray

MDA staff: Margaret Wagner, Russ Derickson

1. Bruce Montgomery opened the meeting with introductions and reviewed the meeting agenda for the day
2. Matt Kruger provided an update on Green Acres Milling startup (oats)
3. Project update presentations:

• Fabian Fernandez (Project #70)
• Carl Rosen (Project #98)
• Melissa Wilson (Project #102)
• Emma Haydock (Project #106)
• Dan Kaiser (Project #103)

4. Margaret Wagner provided an update

• Stated the AFREC dollars for funding research is not yet ready but estimated the 2025 amount will likely be around $1.1 – 1.3 million from the 40 cents tonnage fee.
• Explained how these funds are collected.
• Changes at Minnesota Grants Management that will affect AFREC grants
  • More grant provider audits on financials
  • Pre-award Assessments for grants over $50,000
• Led a discussion around longer term AFREC contracts/projects
  • Multiple year contracts are allowed (5-year max)
  • Contract dollars must be encumbered for all years funded
  • Project contract amendments vs new yearly grants contracts
  • Possible look at shorter application method for continuation projects
  • Bruce M provided some historical context on multiple year projects

5. Bruce Montgomery update on Research Outreach Coordinator (ROC) projects/services

• Coordinate meeting, tours and conferences
• Keep council as efficient as possible
• Serve as liaison between researchers, MDA and Council
• Meeting facilitation
• Represent AFREC at events
• Consult with AFREC Chair on relevant issues
• Review all final reports before online publishing
• Not allowed to lobby
• Discussed other possible services by ROC
  • Coordination with legislators
  • Joint funding coordination with Corn Growers, Minnesota Soy, Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Clean Water Council, etc.
  • Assist member organization in developing research priorities

6. Grant Anderson (AFREC Vice-Chair) led discussion on needs from ROC position

• Bruce was a great resource for the recent legislative changes for AFREC
• Identify other industry research capabilities
• Develop yearly reports for member groups
• Look to develop better communications with Clean Water Council        

7. Bruce Montgomery led a discussion on the next set of research priorities for the next RFP cycle in 2026

• Provided a continuation project debt load estimate for 2026 of $942K
• Estimated $340k available for new project in the 2026 RFP
• Reviewed required Legislative research priorities
• Communicated Matt Wiebers submitted idea to us AI to revisit and data mine past on-farm nitrogen research

8. Farmers Union

• Agronomic N research on oats is outdated
• Ability of oats to reduce N leaching as a 3rd crop

9. MN Soy

• Sulfur remote sensing tool for VR application
• Develop sulfur-nitrogen application ratio
• Nutrition to increase seed coat integrity
• Improve stalk strength with calcium applications

10. MCPR

• Precision application of N
• 3rd crop to reduce N rates that leads to reduced N loss/leaching

11. Independent Crop Consultants

• Non-conventional research methods – perhaps AI as an example
  • Determine what variables cause most changes to yield and other interactions instead of eliminating variables
• Manure

12. Corn Growers

• Manure value management in relation to animal agriculture
• Micro-nutrients
• N research ongoing especially in SE Minnesota
• Tile drainage nitrogen management
• Manure in-season side-dress rate for commercial N fertilizer

13. Irrigators

• Using AI to develop analysis
• Calibrate on-the-go manure applications

14. Sugar beets

• Fertilizer placement management
• Management in high residue environments
• Cover crops

15. Water Quality Expert

• Continue research on primary crops: Carbon & Sulfur (reducing impacts)
• Explore new crops like winter barley
• Look at partnerships with Forever Green on fertility and rotations
• Minnesota Soil Health Coalition rotational aspects of 3rd crops
• Look at value of cover crops
• Heavy metal contaminants in fertilizers

16. Public Health Expert

• Better way to educate the public on what research is being done

17. MISA

• Climate change related research
• N2O emissions
• More emphasis on N credits from legumes like beans: pinto, navy, reds, etc

18. Bruce Montgomery led further discussion on AFREC RFP priority list

• Need to be cognizant of what funds AFREC and who benefits from the research
• Suggested to remove #6 from last year’s list
• Add other components to previous item #5
• Scratch #8 & #9 from last year’s list
• Need to understand process behind 4Rs

19. Next meeting dates

• January 5th – Grant project selection meeting
• December 1st – project update
• Nov 20th new project applications due (preliminary date)

Motion by DS, sec by RM, to approve 2 sets AFREC minutes (with corrections), motion passed

Motion by RK, sec by SB, to authorize the AFREC Exec committee to approve the final RFP, motion passed

Motion by JC, sec by RM, to re-elect the current slate of AFREC officers for another 1 yr term. Motion passed.

Discussion of AFREC By-Laws revision – consensus to table the committee report until the December meeting

Motion by SB, sec by RK, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed.

July 22, 2025

• Stop One 8:00-10:00 AM. Research updates via field tour at SROC (Projects 76, 79, 92, 95, 96, 97, 104)
  • Long-Term Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization on Corn Production, Soils, and Nitrogen Cycling Processes in Minnesota (76)
  • Understanding Mechanisms of Sulfur Cycling in Minnesota Soils and Availability from Fertilizer (79)
  • Can the Pre-Sidedress Soil N Test Help Predict In-Season Fertilizer Needs after Fall-Applied Manure? (92)
  • Effects of Cover Crop and N Rate on Corn Grain and Silage Yield, N Loss in Drainage and Soil Health (95)
  • Timing of K Applications for Corn and Soybean Production (96)
  • Sulfur Placements’ Impacts on Corn Hybrids grown in a Two-Year Corn-Soybean Rotation (97)
  • Evaluating Nitrogen Credits to Corn Following Manured and Non-Manured Alfalfa (104)
• Travel to Wells Site (assume 30 minutes travel)
• Stop Two Wells Research site (10:30-Noon)
  • Long-Term Drainage, Tillage, and Crop Residue Impacts on Corn N Use Efficiency and Soil Health (94)
• Travel to Albert Lea
• 1:00 Lunch at Wedgewood Cove, Albert Lea
• Afternoon---tour Albert Lea Seed House

Council member & Alternates: Steve Commerford, Dan Schmidz. Grant Anderson, Kevin Kruize, Jeff Pagel, Lee Helgen, Maciej Kazula, Emma Burt, Bev Durgan, Jeff Kosek, Laura Lemke, Scott Barnes, Matt Kruger, Warren Formo

AFREC PIs: Jeff Vetsch, Yuxin Miao, Dan Kaiser, Carl Rosen, Jeff Coulter, Paul McDivitt, Mike Schmitt

Others: Bruce Montgomery, Jack Wilcox, Dave Nicolai, Patrick Murray, 

MDA staff: Russ Derickson, Margaret Wagner, Josh Stamper, Commissioner Peterson

August 12, 2024

Grant Anderson, AFREC Chair, opened the meeting with a greeting and introductions of those in attendance.

Bruce Montgomery led a review of the changes to the AFREC statues by the 2024 legislature: sundown clause changes & date(s), AFREC membership changes, additions to yearly research priorities.

Lee Helgen added to Bruces comments and provided insights on the process from his perspective and interactions with Legislator and Senators, MDA staff, and MDA Commissioner Thom Peterson.  He went on to thank Bruce for timely communications to the council during the reauthorization process.

Group Discussion – How to partner with other funding resources to better leverage AFREC funding for research.

AFREC Project updates:

• Vasu Sharma – project 86
• Jeff Coulter – project 93
• Yuxin Miao – project 80

Thom Peterson, MDA Commissioner

• Provided comments on the AFREC reauthorization process
• Stated that despite the reauthorization battles, many more legislators and members of the public are now aware of the AFREC program and its benefits
• How additional AFREC council members were added
• Addition of regenerative agriculture and protection of water quality research priorities

Margaret Wagner –reviewed her understanding on how the AFTREC Council would like to fill the vacancies to the council created by the legislative reauthorization of the AFREC statutes.

• Contact 2 listed groups directly listed for their nomination to the council
  • Put notice in MN Secretary of State’s Notice of Vacancies to Boards & Councils webpage
  • Including an inference to possible conflicts of interest to the appointments
• Expect $1.2 million for next allocation (final number no released by MDA yet)

Bruce Montgomery - provide update on projected AFREC project debt load analysis

• Expected continuation projects $1.147 million
• Estimated available $68,000 for new project grants

Bev Durgan – Dr, Durgan was asked to discuss the impacts of the new legislation will have on university staffing. UofM Extension will looking for:

• Qty 1 researcher in Irrigation
• Qty 3 crops positions
• Qty 2 researchers in Soil Health and Water Quality
• Extension looking for advise and direction for posting & hiring these positions
  • These positions need to communicate to other audiences to hear our message

Bruce Montgomery - reviewed the 2023-24 Research Priorities and “other ideas”. The following comments were discussed by the Council:

• The need for establishment of a definition for Soil Health
• Utilizing MDH log information on new wells and correlate to the surrounding farming practices (geo- referenced)
• Aquifer mapping based on initial W.Q. data
• Survey of 500 farm fields to evaluate farming practices (see similar Iowa and Illinois studies)
  • Perhaps do a pilot study in SE MN area
• Increased Extension communications to outside of Ag community
• Add “Exploratory” options for Legislative mandates in the $5K-$7K projects
• Literary review of legislative mandates
• Develop packet for new AFREC Council members and provide orientation
• Need short bullet points to share conversational language about all f the current and past AFREC research

AFREC Council took short tour of the Tashjian Bee Center with Dave Nicolai as tour host

Bruce Montgomery & Margaret Wagner summarized input from the Council on RFP ideas and from previous years RFP priorities to produce a draft list for Council consideration.  M. Wagner led the Council through the draft list and also enlisted additional input along with what could be removed.

• Council asked that continuation projects be listed (with covered RFP priorities)

Motion by Jeff Pagel, second by Dan Schmitt: “to give AFREC Executive Committee final authority to approve final RFP”, Motion passed.

Chair Anderson announced that he will step down as chair after serving in that position for over seven years. Vice Chair Kruize expressed interested in assuming the chair position but this move needed to be discussed by MCPR leadership. Additionally, Jeff Pagel expressed interest in the position. Chair Anderson plans to stay on the Council for two more years and would help the new chair with the transition.

Motion by Dan Schmitt, second by Steve Commerford: “to defer elections to the December AFREC Council meeting” Motion passed.

Meeting suspended and will be reconvened at the UMORE Farm on August 13

August 13, 2024

AFREC meeting reconvened.

AFREC project updates presentations by: (plot tours at UMORE farm)

• Jeff Vetsch – project 95
• Katrina Fabrizzi – Non-AFREC research
• Dan Kaiser – Projects 79, 96 & 97
• Carl Rosen – Project 89 & 103

Blake Webster, Farm Director at UMORE Farms

UMORE Farm discussion:

• History of UMORE farm area from WW2 to today
• Current farm & research operations
• Future of gravel mining
• Gravel pit reclamation process

Bruce Montgomery led discussion on future meeting and possible dates

• December 9th – Micro Source – Shakopee
• January 6, 2025 grant selection meeting at Farm Bureau Headquarters in Eagan

Traditionally the summer meetings have been held during the 3rd or 4th week of August. This frequently conflicts with the harvest of early season crops such as potatoes and small grains and those members miss the meetings. There was discussion about moving the meetings to the middle to late July.

Meeting adjourned at 12:55 by acclimation of chair

Tour of Pine Bend Refinery to follow meeting.  Recently PBR developed the chemistry and equipment to extract sulfur during the petroleum refining process and convert to Ammonium Thiosulfate (ATS). They are now a major supplier.

Members attending: Jeff Kosek, Bob Lindemann, Pat Ewing, Grant Anderson, Mark Jossund, Steve Commerford, Ryan Kelbrants, Bryce Nelson, Kevin Kruise, Scott Barnes, Emma Burt, Jeff Pagel, David Kee, Bev Durgan, Macei Kazula, Lee Helgen, Patrick Murry

Guests: Dan Kaiser, Fabian Fernandez, Vasu Sharma, Melissa Wilson, Anna Cates, Bruce Montgomery

MDA staff: Russ Derickson, Margaret Wagner

Grant Anderson opened the meeting with introduction (in-person & on-line) at 9:05 am.

New project proposals: (PI & temp ID)

• Melissa Wilson - T
• Dan Kaiser - N
• Vasu Sharma - Q
• Fabian Fernandez – R
• Ann Cates – X
• Yuxin Miao – S

Project voting

1. Motion by MJ, second by RK to fund Project L for 1 year at $17283 – motion passed
2. Motion by MJ, second by BL to fund project A for 1 year at $30,000 – motion passed
3. Motion by BN, second by MJ to fund project E for 1year at $180,000 – motion passed
4. Motion by BN, second by BL to fund Projects H, C, B, D, & K for 1 year (totals $247,000) – motion passed
5. Motion by BL, second by MJ to fund project G for 1 year at $74944 – motion passed
6. Motion by BL, second by MJ to fund projects J, P & Y for 1 year - motion passed
7. Motion by MJ, second by BL to fund projects M, O, F, I, & AA for 1 year – motion passed
8. Motion by MJ, second by BL to fund project X at $0   - motion passed
9. Motion by MJ, second by BL, to fund project R at $0 – motion passed. Council requests Research Coordinator provide comments to PI
10. Motion by KK, second by BN to fund project N for 1 year at $53688 – motion passed
11. Motion by MJ, second by BN to fund project T for 1 year at $50,000 and authorizes Exec committee to add an additional $36306 in MN Corn Growers fails to also fund this project. – motion passed
12. Motion by MJ, second by BN to fund project S & Q at $0 - motion passed
13. Motion by MJ, second by BL to give AFREC Exec committee authorization to approve changes to projects (dollars and objectives) as needed.

Margaret Wagner provided an update on the reauthorization of AFREC

Lee Helgen has been meeting legislators, Has Jan 26th meetings with Putnum and Vang

Patrick Murray had talked to committee chairs to seek their comments as to who should carry the bill. There is some concern on the part of Rep. Hanson and also SEMN issues

Bruce Montgomery

• reviewed fertilizer research funding across neighboring states
• provide potential dates for the summer AFREC meeting
• Grants management require criminal background check for project over $50,000

Motion to adjourn by MJ, second BL – motion passed