NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE
Have you ever had what you thought was a good idea that could benefit farmers and also have positive environmental results? Now is your chance,the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR), Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center (MAWRC), and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) are partnering to offer grants to ag-professionals for the purpose of evaluating and/or demonstrating nutrient management practices that enhance nutrient efficiency and have a positive impact on water quality. Projects should demonstrate and promote efficient use of plant nutrients resulting in economic benefits for production agriculture while providing water quality improvements as a result of implementing such practices. The total amount available for the 2012 growing season is $25,000. Therefore, applications in the range of $5,000 to $7,000 are appropriate.
Ag professionals, Minnesota farmers, Minnesota educational institutions and non-profit organizations are eligible for funding. Funding is intended to assist agricultural decision makers in establishment of on-farm nutrient management evaluation/demonstrations and assist with funding to compensate for time and additional resources spent on the project. The applicants must be residents of Minnesota with projects conducted in fields of cooperating farmers.
Some evaluations/demonstrations that would be appropriate are:
- Nutrient application timing and placement
- New technologies to enhance efficient use of plant nutrients
- Use of cover crops to increase nutrient efficiency and reduce erosion
- Engineering modifications to reduce nutrient loss
These are some examples. There are many other researchable topics that would be acceptable.
The Grant Application can be found by clicking here.
The applications are due on January 10, 2012. Send to:
Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center
Attn: Warren Formo
3080 Eagan, MN 55121-2118
Email: warren@mawrc.org
For questions and additional information contact Brian.C.Williams@state.mn.us or 507-665-6806
Continued advances in nutrient management allow Minnesota farms to improve crop production efficiency while reducing environmental risk.
The Nutrient Efficiency and Management Conference provides a forum for farmers, crop consultants, agency workers and anyone else interested in hearing about the latest research in the field of nutrient management. The 2011 conference, sponsored by a broad coalition including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Soybean Growers, Agrium, Mosaic and others, was held February 15 at the Rochester Event Center. Presentations from the conference can be viewed here (Click on the presenter's name):
A New Twist on Old Conservation Practices- Helmers
Applying manure- Right Rate at the Right Time- A Radatz
Applying Precision Conservaton Tools- Birr
Discovery Farms Minnesota Update- T Radatz
Importance of Nitrogen Additives, N Timing and What Happened in 2010- Rosen
MN Conservation Programs, Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going- Baloun
Next Generation of Residue & Compaction Management Tools- DeJong Hughes
Nutrient Use Efficiency- Midwest Perspective- Murrell
On-Farm Network & Benefits of Interactive Meetings- Blackmer and Hebenstreit
Phosphorus Response, Placement & Movement- Kaiser
Soil Fertility Trends in the Corn Belt- Fasching
Soil Fertility Trends in the Corn Belt- Murrell
WI Discovery Farms- Summary of 84 Site Years of Field Scale Runoff- A Radatz
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