Project Year: 2025 | 2024202320222021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014

Fiscal Year 2025

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Caliton's Family FarmGrowing amaranth for edible leaves in the Red River ValleyFargoClay
Dream of Wild HealthReshaping Farm Fields for Water Management and Soil Health MinneapolisWashington
Dry Creek FarmsGrazing Standing Milo for Winter FeedingGoodhueGoodhue
Great River GreeningWinter Camelina/Soybean Yield Difference in Relay Cropping vs Double Cropping SystemsSaint PaulNicollet and Scott
Little Hill Berry FarmTrialing New Minnesota Hardy Seedless Table Grapes on an Organic FarmNorthfieldDakota
Midwest Elderberry CooperativeCreating Novel Crop Quality Standards to Unlock and Sustain Wholesale Market OpportunitiesYanktonWright and McLeod
Radicle Heart FarmComparing Three Methods for Reinvigorating PastureWoodburyFillmore
Regents of the University of MinnesotaPlanting Legumes in Hybrid Hazelnut Alleys for Sustainable Provision of Nitrogen MinneapolisAitkin, Crow Wing, Hennepin, Olmstead, Sherburne, and Stearns
Rice SWCDRice-Steele Soil Health Nitrogen Rate - Return on Investment TrialsFaribaultRice and Steele
Smarterlife Organic Farms LLCOptimizing On-farm Composting for Healthy Ecosystem and Sustainable Specialty Crops ProductionCambridgeIsanti
Timm Family FarmsSingle Pass Integrated Combine Harvester Cover Crop Seeding SystemPlainviewWinona

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Fiscal Year 2024

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Amundsen Farms IncAtmospheric Water Collection ProjectDuluthCarlton and St. Louis
Anishinaabe Agriculture InstituteHemp Wool Matting Pilot ProjectOsageWhite Earth reservation and Becker, Wadena, and Aitkin counties
Anthony PolyakovOptimizing Crop Productivity and Quality Through Targeted Electric and Magnetic Field ExposureEden PrairieScott
Bemidji State UniversityComputer Vision Guided In-row Weeding System for Organic Farming in Northern MinnesotaBemidjiBeltrami
Fond du Lac Reservation Business CommitteeFond du Lac Gitigaaning Regenerative vs. ConventionalCloquetCarlton and St. Louis
Lakeside Prairie Farm LLCRestoration of an Oak Savannah Following Buckthorn Removal by GoatsBarrettGrant
Owl Forest FarmEvaluating Cold-Hardy Roses for Cut Flower Production in USDA Zone 3IronSt. Louis
Regents of the University of MinnesotaBroccolini: A Broccoli Alternative to Limit Losses Due to Pathogens and PestsMinneapolisCarver, Meeker, Ramsey, and Rice
Regents of the University of MinnesotaBounty and Blooms: Integration of Cut Flowers in Urban Vegetable FarmsMinneapolisRamsey and Hennepin
The Food GroupEnabling Solar Facility Land Access for Emerging and Immigrant Farmer EmpowermentNew HopeSherburne
Twin Cities Berry CompanyInvestigating Biocontrol Techniques to Reduce Spray Usage Inside Affordable, Controlled EnvironmentsSt. PaulIsanti
Urban Roots MNCover Cropping to Remediate Urban Soil CompactionSt. PaulRamsey

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Fiscal Year 2023

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Anishinaabe Agriculture InstituteExplore Methods to Benefit Cost and Production of Indigenous-Raised Meat Entering Local Halal MarketsOsageWadena
Bashcap Bend Farm LLCComparison of No-Till Management Methods to Improve Poor PastureNorth BranchIsanti
Blazing Star Gardens LLCViability of Peat-Free Soil Mixes for Potted Native Plant ProductionClarks GroveSteele
Don Prohaska - Fundamental Feed LLCEstablishment and Long-Term Health of Mixed Sainfoin and Meadow Fescue Stands in Non-Calcareous SoilRochesterDodge
Melissa Borer DBA Garden MagicComposting the Past for the Future, Garden MagicDuluthSt. Louis
Nine Hazels Farm LLCExploring the Value and Utility of Coppiced Hazel Wood in the Upper MidwestLake CityWabasha
Zachary Paige DBA North Circle SeedsGrowing Organic Wild Simulated Ginseng and Ginseng Seed Utilizing Sustainable Agroforestry PracticesVergasOtter Tail, Becker, and the White Earth Reservation
Taylor Ventures LLCApplying Bionutrient Food Association Soil Health Principles to a Twin Cities Area FarmSaint PaulWashington, Chisago

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Fiscal Year 2022

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Cannon Valley Graziers (Arlo Cristofaro-Hark)Develop and test a ground cover seed mix for use in solar grazing systems (using sheep to manage vegetation) comparing their effectiveness in ease of establishment; cost effectiveness; climate resilience; and benefits to pollinators and sheepNorthfieldDakota, Rice, Steele, Fillmore, Waseca
Prairie Rose Farm (Verna Kragnes)Trial & produce African eggplant, white sorghum as grain or flour, and sweet sorghum syrup as high value crops, extending their season, and expanding production and markets for these productsMoorheadClay
Great River Greening (Brad Gordon)Measure changes in soil carbon over three years in four Kernza® fields and one control corn/soy field, also considering the return on investment when including carbon paymentsSaint PaulNicollet, Scott
Daniel SheildDetermine the minimum energy input needed to protect peach flower buds throughout the winter inside high tunnels and outdoorsShaferChisago
The Village Agricultural Cooperative (Amanda Nigon-Crowley)Identify the best tomatillo, bok choy, and Asian greens for cultivation in addition to trialing pest management strategies to increase yield and profitability of managu (leafy nightshade vegetable).RochesterOlmsted
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Mriganka De)Determine the impact of corn grown with perennial ground cover (PGC) alone and/or PGC–Poultry systems have on soil health, crop yield, and farm profitability MankatoFaribault
University of Minnesota (Katy Chapman, Lindsay Peace)On-farm trial for a wheat-soybean rotation to compare soil health, weed pressure, and yield in response to differences in tillage, herbicide application, and fertilizer placementCrookstonPolk
University of Minnesota (Charles Rohwer)Study clover and clover mixtures to identify top treatments best-suited to intercropping in pumpkins based on nitrogen fixation and biomass production, competition with pumpkins, and herbicide toleranceWasecaWaseca, Brown

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Fiscal Year 2021

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Friends of Finland (Honor Schauland)Increasing harvesting and processing of wild rice and other small grains for small-scale growers in Northeastern MinnesotaFinlandLake, Cook, St. Louis
Grassfed Cattle Co. (Valerie Luhman)Evaluating the impact of feed on animal health, growth rates, and meat quality in pastured poultryEdinaGoodhue
Jason MillerEvaluating erosion, yield, and economics in different tillage regimes after a winter-kill cover cropGarvinMurray
Land Stewardship Project (Jess Anna Glover)Crop and livestock farmers building biodiverse, aerobic composts using the Johnson-Su methodLewistonHouston, Mower, Scott, Winona
McCormick Farm (Connor McCormick)No-till vs. conventional till for alfalfa hay establishment and production for a three year standCaledoniaHouston
Olsen Custom Farms LLC (Chad Olsen)Understanding the possibilities of on-farm compost to reduce or eliminate commercial fertilizerHendricksLincoln
University of Minnesota (Vasudha Sharma)Comparison of variable to uniform rate irrigation for impacts on groundwater quality and quantitySaint PaulStearns
University of Minnesota (Charles Rohwer)Tomato phosphorus removal rates with high- or low-phosphorus transplant solutions and graftingWasecaWaseca
Walking Plants Orchard (Philip Stowe)On farm research on honeyberry productionOsakisCarlton, Douglas, Washington

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Fiscal Year 2020

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Little Berry Hill Farm (Aaron Willis)Trialing High Tunnel Raspberries to increase yield and reduce Spotted Wing Drosophila pressureNorthfieldDakota
MN Native Landscapes (Jake Janski)Determining effects of prescribed sheep grazing on plant diversity in native pollinator habitatOtsegoWright
Pluck Flower Farm (Rachel Brann)Exploring Hull Less Seed Pumpkins as a Specialty CropMilacaMille Lacs
Radicle Heart Farm (Heidi Eger) Control of Wild Parsnip through Rotational Sheep GrazingWoodburyWashington
Sweetland Orchard (Gretchen Perbix) Growing and Evaluating Perry and Dessert Pears on a Tall Spindle SystemWebsterRice
Twin Cities Berry Company (Andrew Petran) Expanding the Effectiveness of Non-Chemical Pest Control in Organic Strawberry ProductionFarmingtonDakota
University of Minnesota (Dean Current) Diversity Agriculture and Its Feasibility in Minnesota: Sustainable Practices and MarketingMultipleHennepin, Ramsey
University of Minnesota (Natalie Hoidal) Non-chemical methods for managing Colorado Potato Beetle: feasibility for diversified farmsMarine on St. CroixChisago

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Fiscal Year 2019

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Willow Sedge Farm (Jane Grimsbo Jewett)Determine the viability of a Forever Green poultry ration built on small grains and perennial crops for production of small-flock meat chickensPalisadeAitkin, Ramsey, Rice
Anishinaabe Agricultural Institute (AAI) (Bridget Guiza, Winona LaDuke)Create an integrated hemp and traditional foods working and demonstration farm, utilizing rotational planting, natural fertilizers, and greenhouses. See the AAI Annual Report to learn more.PonsfordBecker
Keith and Anna Johnson FarmTesting two pasture types to finish lambs on pasture and an evaluation of economics and meat quality from each type compared to lambs on a feedlot rationGibbonSibley
Cannon River Watershed Partnership (Alan Kraus)Determine a pathway for greater farm profitability and practice adoption by testing the effect of corn row width on cover crop biomass and corn grain yieldsNorthfieldGoodhue, Rice
Brouwer Berries (Sarah Brouwer)Test the effectiveness of sheep grazing on grass cover crops as a method of improving soil health, reducing weed pressure, and increasing strawberry yield. Watch this Pioneer PBS Postcards episode about Brouwer Berries Farm.RaymondKandiyohi
Main Street Project (Wyatt Parks)Evaluating hazelnuts as a soy protein replacement in free-range poultry systems for feed quality, nutrition and palatabilityNorthfieldDakota, Rice
Canosia Grove (Robert Blair)Rotational grazing in an orchard to improve pasture health, reduce energy input, and increase profitDuluthSaint Louis
Environmental Initiative (Sacha Seymour Anderson, Greg Bohrer)Investigate and create case studies for farming practices that benefit both cost of production for farmers and natural resource conservation and demonstrate the benefits of these practices. Watch this YouTube video and see the Profitability and Environmental Outcomes (pdf) to learn more.MinneapolisBenton, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Stearns, Todd, Wright
North Star Farm Tour (Melodee Smith, Wendy Wustenberg)Exploring North Star Farm Tour as a sustainable agri-tourism model for small fiber producers; watch the final outreach video to learn more.WelchDakota, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Olmstead, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Wright 

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Fiscal Year 2018

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Blazing Star Gardens LLCResearch the profitability of drip irrigation and its impact on yield of native prairie seed productionClarks GroveFreeborn, Steele
Cannon River Watershed PartnershipInvestigate the impact of fall grazing on subsequent Kernza grain yields and the quantity and quality of the fall regrowth of Kernza biomass for forage; learn more about the project in this Market Development in SE Minnesota video and Wellhead Mapping StoryNorthfieldRice
Jerry D. AckermannObtain data on plant growth and nutrient uptake due to cover crop effects on soil temperature and soil moisture in southwest MinnesotaLakefieldTwo field plots in Jackson and Nobles
KISS LLC
dba Brookview Winery
Testing of a non-traditional process for cleanings and sorting Minnesota wine grape varietals and demonstrate removal of other material at the crush padMilacaMille Lacs and Stearns
Mashkiikii GitiganInvestigate the sustainability and impact of production-oriented perennial systems on soil contaminant accessibility and for effectiveness to sequester carbonMinneapolisHennepin
Mighty Axe HopsExperts in hop growing, beer brewing, and sensory analysis will investigate how to best evaluate, communicate, and market the specific aroma and terroir of Minnesota grown hopsFoleyBenton
Owl Forest Farm
dba Kate I. Paul
Identify peony cultivars that grow well in Northeastern Minnesota and produce late-season flowers and support use of peonies in commercial cut flower production in our region. Take a virtual tour of the Owl Forest Farm Peony Project.IronSt. Louis
Richard TraugottDemonstrate cover crop and intercropping alternatives during the establishment period of perennial fruit plants and evaluate any added value of secondary crop producedFoleyBenton
Seelye Brook FarmsComparison of mobile confinement and day-range production systems for pastured broiler chickens for output, profitability and marketability of productsOak GroveAnoka
The Good AcreEvaluate the effectiveness of Sap Analysis to inform a customized nutrient management system using fertigation throughout the growing season to produce higher yields, better quality and reduced input costsFalcon HeightsRamsey and Goodhue
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning CenterDevelop an agrophenological calendar for Northeastern Minnesota that will serve as a more reliable planting guide for farmers and users of greenhouses and high tunnels. Watch this Agrophenology presentation to learn more.FinlandLake

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Fiscal Year 2017

NameProjectGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Anna JohnsonTesting three novel sheep-specific pasture types to maximize average daily gains in lambs on pastureGibbonSibley
Blueberry Fields of StillwaterUsing essential oils to repel spotted wing drosophila in blueberriesStillwaterWashington
Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion CouncilImpact of two tillage types on yield, economic profitability, and soil health in Polk CountyRed Lake FallsPolk
Pheasants ForeverUsing precision ag data to maximize economic and environmental benefitsSaint PaulMultiple
Regents of the University of Minnesota (Steve Poppe)Developing an annual day-neutral strawberry planting system with biodegradable mulchesMinneapolisHennepin, McLeod, Otter Tail, Stevens
Vande AgEconomic feasibility of spray foam insulation in a hog finishing barnMarshallLyon
York FarmTesting different training systems and varieties to improve the profitability of gooseberriesHutchinsonMcLeod

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Fiscal Year 2016

NameProject DescriptionGrantee CityProject Location (County)
Cannon River Watershed Partnership; Brad FraizerCompare June cover crop establishment in standing corn (V5-V7) on eight farms, broadcasting cover crops/mixtures selected by each farmer.NorthfieldRice, Goodhue
Central Lakes College; Thaddeus McCamantTry grafting Minnesota pear varieties onto juneberry root stock in order to decrease tree height and increase production of young pear trees.StaplesTodd, Chisago, McLeod
Four Seasons Apiaries; Joseph MeyerDetermine whether interrupting a honeybee hive's brood rearing reduces the number of Varroa mites in the hive.MinneapolisHennepin, Carver
Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development; John BeckwithFind out whether grazing goats during winter can reduce feed costs and control invasive species without harming desirable native plants.JanesvilleRice
Hoch Orchard; Harry & Jackie HochEvaluate economic effect of integrating hogs into an apple orchard. Compare with economics of other hog production systems.LaCrescentWinona
Jorgenson Family Farm; Mike JorgensonEvaluate establishment, production, quality, and harvest of perennial wheatgrass/legume intercrops.ClintonBig Stone
Keith HartmannTry to establish cover crops and apply liquid N simultaneously into V4-V6 stage corn in JuneGibbonNicollet, Sibley
Lighthouse Farm; John MeskoEvaluate feed value, animal gain, and soil/pasture improvements from bale grazing purchased hay.PrincetonMille Lacs
Paradox Farm; Sue Wika & Zachary PaigeGrow and test the nutrient profile and palatability of novel corn varieties for poultry.AshbyOtter Tail, Becker
Stone's Throw Urban Farm; Caroline DevanyFind out whether worm composting on an urban farm will result in a high quality, profitable greenhouse potting product the farm can use or sell.MinneapolisHennepin
Wholesome Harvest; Susan WiegrefeEvaluate hazelnut woodchips (a byproduct of nut orchard mgmt) for their potential as substrate for growing wine cap and shiitake mushrooms.MabelFillmore

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Fiscal Year 2015

NameProject DescriptionGrantee CityProject Location
(County)
Land Stewardship Project; Robin MooreTest whether deep-rooted cover crops can replace fall tillage in the Chippewa watershedMontevideoChippewa & Swift
Minnesota Apple Growers Association; John JacobsonEvaluate an Internet-based weather network’s ability to predict apple pests and diseases in MinnesotaWhite Bear LakeDakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Itasca, Nobles, Rice, Wabasha, Washington,  Winona, & Wright
Megan HenryExplore how to maximize vegetable profitability in a segmented, modular/movable hoop houseBrandonDouglas
Land Stewardship Project; Caroline van SchaikTest the feasibility of planting cover crops after short season corn harvested for grainLewistonFillmore
Darryl PatnodeDemonstrate planting cereal rye after corn silage and harvesting spring growth for forage before planting soybeansCorcoranHennepin
Jerry and Nancy AckermannEvaluate the impact of cover crops on soil health and fertility on several Southwest Minnesota farmsLakefieldJackson & Nobles
Carmen FernholzDetermine optimal harvest timing for intermediate wheatgrass, a “new” perennial grainMadisonLac qui Parle
David AbazsCompare three methods to raise the pH of very acidic soil (pH  3.8): wood ash, biochar, and limeFinlandLake
University of Minnesota; Ulrike SorgeImprove animal behavior in the milking parlor and milker safety by handling heifers before they calveSt. PaulRice
Eagle Creek Honey Farm; Victoria RanuaInvestigate the potential of honeybee propolis production 1) as a new profit center for Minnesota beekeepers and 2) to improve honeybee healthShakopeeScott & Hennepin
Daniel LeyCompare spring yield and dairy forage quality of several winter small grain cover cropsRichmondStearns
Steve StassenSynchronize indoor pen lambing and farrowing for best workload efficiency and market timingKerkhovenSwift
Russell MartieEvaluate water and fertilizer efficiency of sub-surface irrigation for corn and soybeans, compared to center pivot irrigation and a non-irrigated controlMonticelloWright

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Fiscal Year 2014

NameProject DescriptionGrantee CityProject Location
(County)
Noreen ThomasPreserving and Attracting Native BeesMoorheadClay
Sherburne SWCD; William BronderNitrogen Capture Using Cover Crops in a Cash Grain RotationElk RiverSherburne
Chad RollofsonNo-till/cover Crop Rotation vs Intensive Tillage in Corn/soybean RotationBarrettGrant
Happy Dancing Turtle; Jim ChamberlinDeveloping Low-cost Planting Materials and Establishment Methods to Accelerate Agroforestry Adoption for Function & ProfitPine RiverCass
Hmong American Farmers’ Association; Pakou HangThe Effects of Cover Crops on Water & Soil QualitySt. PaulDakota
Seeds Farm; Becca CarlsonUsing Compost Tea in Organic FarmingNorthfieldRice
White Earth Land Recovery Project; Winona LaDukeDeveloping an Integrated Perennial SystemCallawayBecker
Hammer Green Acres; Sharon UtkeSolar-powered Rainwater Catchment & Distribution System Using Drip irrigationFountainFillmore
Little Hill Berry Farm; Aaron WillsControlling Canada Thistle in Organic Blueberry ProductionNorthfieldRice
Melissa NelsonCreating Beneficial Habitat for Weed Management & Wildlife Enhancement on Farm Waste LandOrtonvilleBig Stone
Paul KrugerLegume Cover CropsWabashaWabasha
Cindy HaleDeveloping Profitable Apple Production Along Lake Superior's North Shore of MinnesotaDuluthSt. Louis
Redfern Gardens; Kathleen ConnellEvaluating Different Depths and Types of Mulches in Blueberry ProductionSebekaWadena

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