Assisting producers with resource management and protection; applied on-farm research and demonstrations; the development or transfer of information and technology; and pest management and diversification.
Peter Scheffert, Director
Mary Hanks, Ph.D., Supervisor
Bob Patton, Interim Supervisor
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Staff Directory |
Mission:
To support the development of an agriculture that is profitable
and environmentally sound.
We carry out our mission by:
- Conducting outreach on resource issues and developing information
for producers and stakeholders;
- Organizing research and development partnerships among producers,
researchers and others;
- Sponsoring on-farm demonstrations or pilot projects to evaluate or
transfer technology; and
- Assisting with pest management, organic production and certification,
land use planning, and financial assistance.
Program Information:
Resource Policy and Planning
Producer
Environmental Outreach
The activity identifies and assesses agricultural
non-point source pollution issues; facilitates producer input into state,
local and federal programs; assesses technology and information needs
of producers; coordinates activities with other agencies and groups;
and helps link producer needs with programs and resources. Learn about Conservation Drainage and see the Drainage
Outlet to gain access to the world's online drainage resources. Contact Bob.Patton@state.mn.us and Mark.Dittrich@state.mn.us for
more information.
Agricultural
Land Use Technical Assistance
The activity provides local government
officials with practical assistance on land use issues relating to agriculture.
Issues include: preserving agricultural land resources; minimizing conflicts
between new rural residents and the farming community; assisting farmers
and local governments site animal agriculture facilities; identifying
the financial costs of rural sprawl; and promoting agricultural land
preservation. Contact Becky.Balk@state.mn.us and Bob.Patton@state.mn.us for
more information.
Environmental
& Local Water Plan Review
Documents on proposed public and private projects
are reviewed for impacts on agriculture. Staff also coordinate with the
Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and other agencies on environmental
issues or projects affecting agriculture. We help prepare department
environmental documents and provide information on the state environmental
review process. We also review county local water plans. Contact Becky.Balk@state.mn.us and Bob.Patton@state.mn.us at
for more information.
Impaired
Waters
The division conducts outreach to inform producers
and producer groups about impaired waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs). Staff meet with producers individually or in groups, participate
in statewide conferences and, to the extent possible, participate in
local watershed meetings held to prepare TMDLs to address water impairments.
Also, the division supports MDA's role on the MPCA/Minnesota Environmental
Initiative's Stakeholder Process. Contact Bob.Patton@state.mn.us and
for more information.
Resource Use and Development
Agricultural Water Research Partnership
The division supports MDA's efforts in the partnership
whose purpose is to design and evaluate technologies and practices that
protect or mitigate the impact of agricultural drainage upon water quality.
The membership of the Partnership includes the MDA, producers, scientists
from the University of Minnesota, and drainage industry representatives.
Projects in process or being planned include both intensive shallow and
tiled drainage, alternative ditch design, bioremediation through wetlands
and other bioreactor mediums and temporary dryland storage. Contact Mark.Dittrich@state.mn.us for
more information.
Agriculture Best Management Practices
(BMP) Loans
The program provides no interest
loans to local units of government who in turn provide low interest loans
to producers and others for BMPs to implement non-point source pollution
priorities in local water plans. Division staff work with Soil and Water
Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and local water planners to develop applications,
and an advisory committee reviews applications and advises on allocation
decisions. Contact Dwight.Wilcox@state.mn.us for more
information.
Animal Agriculture Support and Development
We provide information, educational and other
forms of assistance to livestock producers on
new developments in regulations, available resources and technologies,
and work to develop opportunities for enhancing animal agriculture. Some
loan funding is available to farmers and others implementing anaerobic
manure digestion technology. Contact Bob.Patton@state.mn.us for
more information.
Conservation
Programs
Staff provide information on federal
and state conservation programs and monitor major developments in federal
and state conservation policy relative to Minnesota agriculture. Contact Barbara.Weisman@state.mn.us for
more information.
Rotational
Grazing Systems
In cooperation with NRCS, we assist livestock producers
with rotational grazing plans. Rotational grazing offers benefits for
natural resource protection, high quality production and use of forage
throughout the growing seasons, and the farm’s
cash flow. Rotational grazing is an effective livestock management system
for protecting water, especially in sensitive riparian areas. Rotational
grazing plans can be used by farmers to apply for cost-share programs
such as USDA EQIP funds. Contact Wayne.Monsen@state.mn.us for
more information.
Soil Quality,
Rainfall Simulation, and Cover Crops
The rainfall simulation project assists farmers,
researchers, extension, and state agency staff with designing and implementing
on-site research to study the interaction of rainfall and various tillage
systems, including water retention, runoff, etc. Simulated rainfall is
a primary tool used on farms to assess tillage management effects on
soil and water quality.
The MDA is cooperating with southeast Minnesota farmers to seed a winter
rye cover crop in standing corn and soybeans using a helicopter. Rye
seeded in late summer germinates in the understory of the cash crop and
produces and strong stand after the cash crop is removed. Helicopter
seeded rye provides a tremendous opportunity for late fall and early
spring grazing on these landscapes. Grazing the rye takes the pressure
off permanent pastures at times when they are vulnerable to overgrazing. Contact Mark.Zumwinkle@state.mn.us for
more information.
- Assessing the Soil System: A Review of Soil Quality Literature (PDF:
635 KB / 71 pages)
- MDA teaches students about rain and erosion
Students attending the 2008 Children's Water Festival at South Central College in North Mankato got a first hand look at how different coverage of soils can have a dramatic impact on . . . >> Read More
Biotechnology
The activity regulates
the release of genetically engineered agriculturally related organisms
in Minnesota. Contact Mary.Hanks@state.mn.us for
more information.
Organic
and Diversified Agriculture
Organic products are a fast-growing
sector of the food industry domestically and internationally, and is
recognized as an important production option for Minnesota producers.
We offer information and technical assistance on organic production methods,
conversion to organic, certification, etc. to growers, processors, and
consumers. Producer surveys help us stay current with the needs of organic
growers in Minnesota. We also work with state, federal and nonprofit
agencies to coordinate efforts to support the organic sector. The program
also administers cost-share funds to help defray the costs of organic
certification. Contact Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us.
Sustainable
Agriculture Demonstration Grants
Grants provide a maximum of $25,000 to farmers,
researchers, educators and non-profit organizations for on-farm demonstrations
that last up to three years. The projects demonstrate farming methods
or systems that increase energy efficiency, reduce agricultural chemical
usage, and show environmental and economic benefits. A technical review panel
evaluates the applications and
makes recommendations. Summaries of project results are published annually
in the Greenbook.
Contact Jeanne.Ciborowski@state.mn.us for
more information.
Sustainable
Agriculture Loans
Low-interest loans for purchasing
new or used equipment and/or facilities assist farmers in making the
transition to more environmentally sound, profitable practices. Loan
application: (PDF:
1,004 KB / 8 pages). Contact Mary.Hanks@state.mn.us for
more information.
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
The activity promotes strategies
to increase IPM on private and state managed lands. IPM is a balanced
approach to pest management which incorporates chemical, biological and
cultural methods. IPM activities include: IPM information for
growers and land managers on alternative choices in pest management;
developing an IPM Program for school districts; facilitating IPM use
in fruit and vegetable production; and providing IPM information to the
general public. Contact Jeanne.Ciborowski@state.mn.us or Anthony.Cortilet@state.mn.us for
more information.
Biological
Control Facility (BCF)
The BCF is a greenhouse designed
for insect rearing and as a classroom. Beneficials are reared for release
in atriums, households, conservatories, and greenhouses to demonstrate how
beneficial insects and mites can control pests. The BCF also hosts school
visits. Contact Neil.Cunningham@state.mn.us for more information.
Biological Control
Laboratory
Major activities are centered
on maintaining insect colonies for beneficial releases, research, or
educational projects, and insect identification and preservation. The
laboratory also focuses on mass rearing systems and diets for pests and
beneficial insects, field collection and distribution of biological control
agents, and monitoring the establishment and success of released agents.
The laboratory also houses the MDA's Insect Reference Collection which contains
close to 20,000 pinned insect specimens and are cared for by Dr. John Luhman. Contact Natasha.Northrop@state.mn.us for more information.
Quarantine
Facility
The MDA-University of Minnesota
(UMN) quarantine facility is located within the current greenhouse complex
of the UMN, St. Paul Campus. It is a biological control research facility
and insect quarantine facility licensed by USDA. Current UMN research
includes screening biocontrol agents of soybean aphid and garlic mustard.
Contact the Quarantine Officer at 612-625-3779 or Zhishan.Wu@state.mn.us.
Weed Biological Control
The project develops biological
pest management strategies for exotic and invasive weed species in Minnesota.
We provide landowners with methods of weed management that use plant-feeding
insects to produce long-term, sustaining, and cost effective results.
Currently efforts are directed at leafy spurge and spotted knapweed. Contact Monika.Chandler@state.mn.us for more information. |