Project Year: 202320222021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014

Fiscal Year 2023

Name Project Grantee City Project Location (County)
Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute Explore Methods to Benefit Cost and Production of Indigenous-Raised Meat Entering Local Halal Markets Osage Wadena
Bashcap Bend Farm LLC

Comparison of No-Till Management Methods to Improve Poor Pasture

North Branch Isanti
Blazing Star Gardens LLC Viability of Peat-Free Soil Mixes for Potted Native Plant Production Clarks Grove Steele
Don Prohaska - Fundamental Feed LLC

Establishment and Long-Term Health of Mixed Sainfoin and Meadow Fescue Stands in Non-Calcareous Soil

Rochester Dodge
Melissa Borer DBA Garden Magic Composting the Past for the Future, Garden Magic Duluth St. Louis
Nine Hazels Farm LLC Exploring the Value and Utility of Coppiced Hazel Wood in the Upper Midwest Lake City Wabasha
Zachary Paige DBA North Circle Seeds Growing Organic Wild Simulated Ginseng and Ginseng Seed Utilizing Sustainable Agroforestry Practices Vergas Otter Tail, Becker, and the White Earth Reservation
Taylor Ventures LLC Applying Bionutrient Food Association Soil Health Principles to a Twin Cities Area Farm Saint Paul Washington, Chisago

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Fiscal Year 2022

Name Project Grantee City Project 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 sheep Northfield Dakota, 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 products

Moorhead Clay
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 payments Saint Paul Nicollet, Scott
Daniel Sheild

Determine the minimum energy input needed to protect peach flower buds throughout the winter inside high tunnels and outdoors

Shafer Chisago
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). Rochester Olmsted
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  Mankato Faribault
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 placement Crookston Polk
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 tolerance Waseca Waseca, Brown

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Fiscal Year 2021

Name Project Grantee City Project Location (County)
Friends of Finland (Honor Schauland) Increasing harvesting and processing of wild rice and other small grains for small-scale growers in Northeastern Minnesota Finland Lake, Cook, St. Louis
Grassfed Cattle Co. (Valerie Luhman)

Evaluating the impact of feed on animal health, growth rates, and meat quality in pastured poultry

Edina Goodhue
Jason Miller Evaluating erosion, yield, and economics in different tillage regimes after a winter-kill cover crop Garvin Murray
Land Stewardship Project (Jess Anna Glover)

Crop and livestock farmers building biodiverse, aerobic composts using the Johnson-Su method

Lewiston Houston, Mower, Scott, Winona
McCormick Farm (Connor McCormick)

No-till vs. conventional till for alfalfa hay establishment and production for a three year stand

Caledonia Houston
Olsen Custom Farms LLC (Chad Olsen) Understanding the possibilities of on-farm compost to reduce or eliminate commercial fertilizer Hendricks Lincoln
University of Minnesota (Vasudha Sharma) Comparison of variable to uniform rate irrigation for impacts on groundwater quality and quantity Saint Paul Stearns
University of Minnesota (Charles Rohwer) Tomato phosphorus removal rates with high- or low-phosphorus transplant solutions and grafting Waseca Waseca
Walking Plants Orchard (Philip Stowe) On farm research on honeyberry production Osakis Carlton, Douglas, Washington

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Fiscal Year 2020

Name Project Grantee City Project Location (County)
Little Berry Hill Farm (Aaron Willis) Trialing High Tunnel Raspberries to increase yield and reduce Spotted Wing Drosophila pressure Northfield Dakota
MN Native Landscapes (Jake Janski) Determining effects of prescribed sheep grazing on plant diversity in native pollinator habitat Otsego Wright
Pluck Flower Farm (Rachel Brann) Exploring Hull Less Seed Pumpkins as a Specialty Crop Milaca Mille Lacs
Radicle Heart Farm (Heidi Eger) Control of Wild Parsnip through Rotational Sheep Grazing Woodbury Washington
Sweetland Orchard (Gretchen Perbix) Growing and Evaluating Perry and Dessert Pears on a Tall Spindle System Webster Rice
Twin Cities Berry Company (Andrew Petran) Expanding the Effectiveness of Non-Chemical Pest Control in Organic Strawberry Production Farmington Dakota
University of Minnesota (Dean Current) Diversity Agriculture and Its Feasibility in Minnesota: Sustainable Practices and Marketing Multiple Hennepin, Ramsey
University of Minnesota (Natalie Hoidal) Non-chemical methods for managing Colorado Potato Beetle: feasibility for diversified farms Marine on St. Croix Chisago

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Fiscal Year 2019

Name Project Grantee City Project 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 chickens Palisade Aitkin, 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. Ponsford Becker
Keith and Anna Johnson Farm Testing 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 ration Gibbon Sibley
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 yields Northfield Goodhue, 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. Raymond Kandiyohi
Main Street Project (Wyatt Parks) Evaluating hazelnuts as a soy protein replacement in free-range poultry systems for feed quality, nutrition and palatability Northfield Dakota, Rice
Canosia Grove (Robert Blair) Rotational grazing in an orchard to improve pasture health, reduce energy input, and increase profit Duluth Saint 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. Minneapolis Benton, 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. Welch Dakota, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Olmstead, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Wright 

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Fiscal Year 2018

Name Project Grantee City Project Location (County)
Blazing Star Gardens LLC Research the profitability of drip irrigation and its impact on yield of native prairie seed production Clarks Grove Freeborn, Steele
Cannon River Watershed Partnership Investigate 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 Story Northfield Rice
Jerry D. Ackermann Obtain data on plant growth and nutrient uptake due to cover crop effects on soil temperature and soil moisture in southwest Minnesota Lakefield Two 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 pad Milaca Mille Lacs and Stearns
Mashkiikii Gitigan Investigate the sustainability and impact of production-oriented perennial systems on soil contaminant accessibility and for effectiveness to sequester carbon Minneapolis Hennepin
Mighty Axe Hops Experts 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 hops Foley Benton
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. Iron St. Louis
Richard Traugott Demonstrate cover crop and intercropping alternatives during the establishment period of perennial fruit plants and evaluate any added value of secondary crop produced Foley Benton
Seelye Brook Farms Comparison of mobile confinement and day-range production systems for pastured broiler chickens for output, profitability and marketability of products Oak Grove Anoka
The Good Acre Evaluate 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 costs Falcon Heights Ramsey and Goodhue
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center Develop 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. Finland Lake

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Fiscal Year 2017

Name Project Grantee City Project Location (County)
Anna Johnson Testing three novel sheep-specific pasture types to maximize average daily gains in lambs on pasture Gibbon Sibley
Blueberry Fields of Stillwater Using essential oils to repel spotted wing drosophila in blueberries Stillwater Washington
Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council Impact of two tillage types on yield, economic profitability, and soil health in Polk County Red Lake Falls Polk
Pheasants Forever Using precision ag data to maximize economic and environmental benefits Saint Paul Multiple
Regents of the University of Minnesota (Steve Poppe) Developing an annual day-neutral strawberry planting system with biodegradable mulches Minneapolis Hennepin, McLeod, Otter Tail, Stevens
Vande Ag Economic feasibility of spray foam insulation in a hog finishing barn Marshall Lyon
York Farm Testing different training systems and varieties to improve the profitability of gooseberries Hutchinson McLeod

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Fiscal Year 2016

Name Project Description Grantee City Project Location (County)
Cannon River Watershed Partnership; Brad Fraizer Compare June cover crop establishment in standing corn (V5-V7) on eight farms, broadcasting cover crops/mixtures selected by each farmer. Northfield Rice, Goodhue
Central Lakes College; Thaddeus McCamant Try grafting Minnesota pear varieties onto juneberry root stock in order to decrease tree height and increase production of young pear trees. Staples Todd, Chisago, McLeod
Four Seasons Apiaries; Joseph Meyer Determine whether interrupting a honeybee hive's brood rearing reduces the number of Varroa mites in the hive. Minneapolis Hennepin, Carver
Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development; John Beckwith Find out whether grazing goats during winter can reduce feed costs and control invasive species without harming desirable native plants. Janesville Rice
Hoch Orchard; Harry & Jackie Hoch Evaluate economic effect of integrating hogs into an apple orchard. Compare with economics of other hog production systems. LaCrescent Winona
Jorgenson Family Farm; Mike Jorgenson Evaluate establishment, production, quality, and harvest of perennial wheatgrass/legume intercrops. Clinton Big Stone
Keith Hartmann Try to establish cover crops and apply liquid N simultaneously into V4-V6 stage corn in June Gibbon Nicollet, Sibley
Lighthouse Farm; John Mesko Evaluate feed value, animal gain, and soil/pasture improvements from bale grazing purchased hay. Princeton Mille Lacs
Paradox Farm; Sue Wika & Zachary Paige Grow and test the nutrient profile and palatability of novel corn varieties for poultry. Ashby Otter Tail, Becker
Stone's Throw Urban Farm; Caroline Devany Find out whether worm composting on an urban farm will result in a high quality, profitable greenhouse potting product the farm can use or sell. Minneapolis Hennepin
Wholesome Harvest; Susan Wiegrefe Evaluate hazelnut woodchips (a byproduct of nut orchard mgmt) for their potential as substrate for growing wine cap and shiitake mushrooms. Mabel Fillmore

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Fiscal Year 2015

Name Project Description Grantee City Project Location
(County)
Land Stewardship Project; Robin Moore Test whether deep-rooted cover crops can replace fall tillage in the Chippewa watershed Montevideo Chippewa & Swift
Minnesota Apple Growers Association; John Jacobson Evaluate an Internet-based weather network’s ability to predict apple pests and diseases in Minnesota White Bear Lake Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Itasca, Nobles, Rice, Wabasha, Washington,  Winona, & Wright
Megan Henry Explore how to maximize vegetable profitability in a segmented, modular/movable hoop house Brandon Douglas
Land Stewardship Project; Caroline van Schaik Test the feasibility of planting cover crops after short season corn harvested for grain Lewiston Fillmore
Darryl Patnode Demonstrate planting cereal rye after corn silage and harvesting spring growth for forage before planting soybeans Corcoran Hennepin
Jerry and Nancy Ackermann Evaluate the impact of cover crops on soil health and fertility on several Southwest Minnesota farms Lakefield Jackson & Nobles
Carmen Fernholz Determine optimal harvest timing for intermediate wheatgrass, a “new” perennial grain Madison Lac qui Parle
David Abazs Compare three methods to raise the pH of very acidic soil (pH  3.8): wood ash, biochar, and lime Finland Lake
University of Minnesota; Ulrike Sorge Improve animal behavior in the milking parlor and milker safety by handling heifers before they calve St. Paul Rice
Eagle Creek Honey Farm; Victoria Ranua Investigate the potential of honeybee propolis production 1) as a new profit center for Minnesota beekeepers and 2) to improve honeybee health Shakopee Scott & Hennepin
Daniel Ley Compare spring yield and dairy forage quality of several winter small grain cover crops Richmond Stearns
Steve Stassen Synchronize indoor pen lambing and farrowing for best workload efficiency and market timing Kerkhoven Swift
Russell Martie Evaluate water and fertilizer efficiency of sub-surface irrigation for corn and soybeans, compared to center pivot irrigation and a non-irrigated control Monticello Wright

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Fiscal Year 2014

Name Project Description Grantee City Project Location
(County)
Noreen Thomas Preserving and Attracting Native Bees Moorhead Clay
Sherburne SWCD; William Bronder Nitrogen Capture Using Cover Crops in a Cash Grain Rotation Elk River Sherburne
Chad Rollofson No-till/cover Crop Rotation vs Intensive Tillage in Corn/soybean Rotation Barrett Grant
Happy Dancing Turtle; Jim Chamberlin Developing Low-cost Planting Materials and Establishment Methods to Accelerate Agroforestry Adoption for Function & Profit Pine River Cass
Hmong American Farmers’ Association; Pakou Hang The Effects of Cover Crops on Water & Soil Quality St. Paul Dakota
Seeds Farm; Becca Carlson Using Compost Tea in Organic Farming Northfield Rice
White Earth Land Recovery Project; Winona LaDuke Developing an Integrated Perennial System Callaway Becker
Hammer Green Acres; Sharon Utke Solar-powered Rainwater Catchment & Distribution System Using Drip irrigation Fountain Fillmore
Little Hill Berry Farm; Aaron Wills Controlling Canada Thistle in Organic Blueberry Production Northfield Rice
Melissa Nelson Creating Beneficial Habitat for Weed Management & Wildlife Enhancement on Farm Waste Land Ortonville Big Stone
Paul Kruger Legume Cover Crops Wabasha Wabasha
Cindy Hale Developing Profitable Apple Production Along Lake Superior's North Shore of Minnesota Duluth St. Louis
Redfern Gardens; Kathleen Connell Evaluating Different Depths and Types of Mulches in Blueberry Production Sebeka Wadena

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