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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

Members attending:  Mark Bloomquist, Paul Gray, Steve Commerford, , Grant Anderson, Bryce Nelson, Ryan Kelbrants, Patrick Murray, Jeff Pagel, Rodney Moe

Others attending: Michael Schmitt, Jack Wilcox, Tamara Benjamin, Paul McDivitt, Bruce Montgomery, Maciej Kazula, Dan Kaiser, Fabian Fernandez and Yuxin Miao

MDA staff: Margaret Wagner

August 16th

Grant Anderson opened the meeting followed by introductions

Research updates

1. Fabian Fernandez (Coordinated Educational Program for Nutrient Management in Minnesota; Long term Impacts of Nitrogen Fertilization on Corn Production, Soils, and Nitrogen Cycling Processes in Minnesota; Long Term Drainage, Tillage and Crop Residue Impacts on Corn N Use Efficiency and Soil Health)

2. Yuxin Miao (Developing Decision Support Tools for Precision Nitrogen Management of Corn)

MDA update

Funding level for the upcoming RFP is estimated at $1.35 million.

Review Draft Legislative Flyer/ Report

• A draft promotional handout developed by Paul McDivitt was reviewed and discussed. Suggestions were made including the development of a one-page condensed version. We discussed trying to have briefing-type materials ready to go this fall including some simple messaging for all of us to use when communicating with decisionmakers.
• Components of a more detailed informational report were discussed by Bruce. The intent of this report is to provide facts and figures into the promotional materials. It will also serve as historical documentation of AFREC’s timeline, funding, and projects.
• Opportunities for further review of promotional materials will be shared with council members via email

Legislative update

• Discussed upcoming expiration in legislative language- will need an extension this session
  • MDA’s authority to collect the 40 cents/ton is currently scheduled to sunset June 30, 2024 and the Council is currently scheduled to sunset June 30, 2025
• A legislative planning meeting with the Commissioner and MDA staff is currently being scheduled for either October or November (Margaret).
• Patrick Murray provided an excellent overview of the legislative process. There was discussion on how to use the legislative expertise from the ag groups. It was decided that his would be discussed at the planning meeting scheduled with the Commissioner.
• All eleven organizations plus ex officio (Bean Industry) have indicated that they support the continuation of the AFREC program and keeping the fee at $0.40 /ton. A draft letter has been developed for all the organizations to sign. We will circulate that document once we figure out the most efficient way to get signatures, and include it in AFREC’s legislative handout .
• There was discussion about our recommendations regarding the duration of the next extension. Historically, they have ranged from 5-10 years. The question came up on whether it could be eliminated completely.

Research Update

Dan Kaiser (Understanding Mechanisms of Sulfur Cycling in Minnesota Soils and Availability from Fertilizer; Fine Tuning Sulfur Guidelines for Alfalfa; Timing of K Application for Corn and Soybean Production; Sulfur Placements’ Impacts on Corn Hybrids Grown in a two-year corn-soybean Rotation)

Sharing Research Priorities

• Target date for posting the RFP in the State Register---mid-September (MDA staff).
• With funds available and assuming all Continuations are funded at the proposed levels, $476,000 could be available for new projects.
• Many ideas were shared by the Council and the UMN staff. The draft RFP will be developed and shared for comments/approval over the next several weeks (Margaret Wagner and Bruce Montgomery).
• There was discussion about potentially limiting the number of new projects this funding cycle due to the uncertainty of the legislative extension. The general feeling was that there will be time to adjust spending amounts during the next funding cycle in case the legislation does not get an extension.

Business meeting

ELECTIONS: Grant Anderson was reelected as Chair; Kevin Kruize as Vice Chair and Steve Commerford as Secretary. Bryce Nelson was newly elected as the Treasurer to replace Keith Allen (Motion by Steve Commerford and second by Jeff Pagel)

Other business

Council members (Grant Anderson, Mark Bloomquist, Rodney Moe and Patrick Murray) and Margaret Wagner participated in filmed interviews with Extension staff. This will be a companion video to the one previously made featuring various UMN staff highlighting the value of the AFREC program. These videos will be available on the AFREC website in the future.

Upcoming

Dates for the upcoming meetings: December 12, 2023 and January 12, 2024. We will check with Farm Bureau on the availability of their conference room for both dates. Please note that this is a week later than normal so mark your calendars.

It was decided that the location for the 2024 Summer Meetings will be in the Twin Cities area. A likely location for the conference day would be the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the tours would include research plots on the UM St. Paul Campus. Dates in August will be determined via the polling process (Russ). Bruce will work with Mike Schmitt and others at the UMN to develop the agenda.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM

Members attending: Mark Jossund, Mark Bloomquist, Paul Gray, Bev Durgan, Jeff Kosek, Steve Comerford, Gary Preschar, Kevin Kruise, Grant Anderson, Bob Lindemann, Bryce Nelson, Ryan Kelbrants, Dan Benson, Keith Allen, Patrick Murray

Others attending: Dave Grafstrom, Jack Wilcox, Lindsey Pease, Paul McDivit, Bruce Montgomery, Carl Rosen, Maciej Kazula, Dan Kaiser, Paulo Pagliari, Melissa Wilson

MDA staff: Margaret Wagner, Russ Derickson

Grant Anderson opened the meeting at 9:03 am followed by introductions.

Bruce Montgomery reviewed AFREC account balance and 2023 grant requests with options.

• roll unfunded dollars into next grant cycle
• issue 2nd RFP
• alternate 2nd RFP with generic ideas
• fund projects to completion
• no  “on-farm” projects
• additional Economic Analysis on AFREC programming

Technical peer review team: Heidi Peterson, Dan Froehlich, Jeppe Kiersgaard, Maciej Kazula

 Bruce provided comments from the Peer review team on all 5 new projects submitted.

New project presentations

• Dave Grafstrom
• Melissa Wilson
• Carl Rosen
• Paulo Pagliari
• Lindsey Pease

Pat Murray MCPR

Update date on reauthorization of AFREC legislation

• Funding expires in 2024
• Council spending authority ends in 2025
• 57 new legislators this year
• Has been meeting with rank & file members as well as committee chairs
• Asked Sen. Putnum for informational hearing on AFREC
  • Provided additional information per Putnum request

Member groups (Corn Growers, Soybean Growers, Sugar beet Growers) relayed their positions on AFREC Reauthorization

Bruce Montgomery provided a project update as Research/Outreach Coordinator

• Aug 16 & 17 will be the Summer AFREC meeting in Westport, MN area

AFREC Project Voting

Motion by Keith Allen, second by Paul Gray to fund project ‘P” for 1 year at $40,000, motion passed.

Motion by Paul Gray, second by Kevin Kruise to fund all 2022 continuation projects as presented for 1 year and project “N“ for 1 year at $71,862, motion passed.

Table from: Sorted Allocation Worksheet-Jan2023.xlsx