Swine Extension

A message from MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for grants to support innovative sustainability-focused research or demonstration projects on Minnesota farms. Applications are due December 12. The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant funds projects that explore the energy efficiency, environmental benefit, and profitability of sustainable ag techniques, from the production through marketing processes. Minnesota farmers or individuals from organizations including agricultural cooperatives, educational institutions, nonprofits, tribal governments and local units of government (such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts) are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must test and demonstrate on-farm practices that will benefit a broad range of farmers. Past grants have explored topics such as cover crops and crop rotation; conservation tillage; pest manag...

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND as August 5, 2022 Swine & U column Partnership in Renewable Energy Storage For over twenty years, the University of Minnesota Morris and University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) have been working to advance clean energy solutions in west-central Minnesota. In 2005, UMN WCROC installed the first industrial-scale wind turbine at a public university in the United States. In 2011, UMN Morris installed a second wind turbine. During the past decade, both University of Minnesota campuses have advanced research and demonstration projects. UMN WCROC built a globally-unique wind-to-hydrogen-to-ammonia platform, turning wind and water into fertilizer. UMN Morris demonstrated biomass gasification. And, both campuses built solar PV and solar thermal projects. For many years now, UMN Morris and UMN WCROC, have explored the potential of energy storage in rural Minnesota. In May, 2022, pa...

By Gerald Shurson, Zhengia Dou, David Gallagan, and Allison Thomson Originally printed in The LAND - as September 17/September 24, 2021 Swine & U column The food supply chain in the United States has been actively partnering with farmers and ranchers to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural operations in the United States over the past 15 years. Food supply chains from the field to the plate are complex, with many different arrangements ranging from direct contracts between growers and food brands common in specialty crops, to the large-scale commingling of commodity grains used in food, feed and fuel that makes traceability of food products back to an individual farm challenging. The private sector has been taking on this challenge in order to meet environmental commitments, including corporate objectives and science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increase soil carbon sequestration, and improve soil health. Commitments to reducing emissions from ...

Swine producers and agribusinesses in Southern Minnesota are welcome to attend a Swine Energy Management Seminarat the Knights of Columbus Hall, 920 East 10th Street, Fairmont on Thursday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  Attendees will hear about: Mapping out your plan for Energy Efficiency: An Energy Audit - Jill Eide, Certified Energy Manager of Great River Energy Great River Energy incentives for Farm Energy Audits What an Energy Audit covers How to use your Energy Audit: rebates, NRCS and REAP funding Panel of area farmers who have implemented smart energy technologies Straight talk about on-farm solar energy from UMN Extension CERTs Program - Fritz Ebinger Financial and energy modeling Tax credits and explanation of utility fee structure On-farm siting considerations

Message from Fritz Ebinger, Clean Energy Resource Teams The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), a statewide energy partnership of the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Partnerships, among others, is interested in collaborating with a group of agricultural producers in Blue Earth and/or Martin Counties. CERTs' mission is to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy with Minnesota communities. Part of our work includes offering free assistance to farmers and rural small businesses to understand their clean energy options. CERTs is offering additional assistance to farmers in Blue Earth and/or Martin Counties to advance informed solar decision making and to potentially coordinate a group solar purchase effort to realize project cost savings.