SWAC faculty members receive crop research grants from MDA

September 15, 2021


SWAC faculty members Daniel Kaiser and Paulo Pagliari are among the recipients of the 2021 Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program Crop Research Grants, awarded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

See more details below if you would like to apply for the next round of funding.

Project Title Principal Investigator
Expanding the Use of Hail Netting for Non-Chemical Insect Pest Management in Apple Annie Klodd
Hybrid Rye as a Grain and Forage Crop for Minnesota Daniel Kaiser
Developing Molecular Markers for Selecting and Improving Minnesota Hemp George Weiblen & Tom Michaels
Increasing High Tunnel Vegetable Productivity through Improved Soil Health  Julie Grossman
Accelerating the Development of Winter Barley Cropping Systems for Minnesota Kevin P. Smith
Developing Nutrient Recommendations for East African Leafy Crops Grown in Minnesota Paulo Pagliari

Apply for a Crop Research Grant

According to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the organization is now accepting grant applications for applied crop research to improve the agricultural product quality, quantity, or value of Minnesota’s $10 billion crop industry.

The MDA anticipates awarding roughly $1,000,000 in total. Minnesota-based organizations with agricultural research capabilities may apply for the funding. Grants reimburse up to $250,000 of the cost of a project that will provide research products within seven years to benefit Minnesota agriculture, its producers, and associated industries.

Research projects with an outreach plan that addresses how activities or outcomes of this project meaningfully involves or informs underserved agricultural producers such as emerging farmers, and rural communities with limited economic opportunities will receive priority. In addition, preference will also be given to applicants researching crops that have limited access to other research funds. 

Applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program Crop Research Grant received by 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2021 will be included in the competitive review process. The online application is available at the AGRI Crop Research Grant website.

Funding for the Crop Research Grant was established through the AGRI Program which provides grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.