Farmers and researchers selected to receive special grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are featured in the department’s 2019 Greenbook.

MDA awarded Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grants totaling $241,009 to nine farmers and researchers across Minnesota.

Projects will explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable, resource efficient and personally satisfying, according to MDA.

The program has granted more than $4.2 million to Minnesota farmers over its 29-year history.

“I’ve been a long-time supporter of these programs and believe the projects presented here are great examples of the innovative ideas Minnesota farmers and researchers are exploring and testing to make farming in Minnesota more productive and sustainable,” says MDA commissioner Thom Petersen.

All projects take place on Minnesota farms and are summarized in the annual Greenbook, now available at mda.state.mn.us/greenbook. Or, you may contact Alison Fish at 651-201-6012 or [email protected] for a copy.

Annual and final progress reports of grantees announced during the past three years are also included in the Greenbook. Results of new grantees’ projects will be included in future Greenbook publications.

Projects, which last two to three years, are located in all regions of the state and involve several innovative topics that include cover cropping, soil fertility, fruits and vegetables, alternative markets or specialty crops, livestock, and energy.

Applications for the next round of grants are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Dec. 17.

Projects from farmers receive priority. However, nonprofit and educational organizations are also invited to apply. Projects may receive funding up to $50,000. Full details and the online application are available at mda.state.mn.us/sustagdemogrant.

The 2019 grant recipients and their projects are:

Source: MDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.