[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Minnesota Corn Growers Association offering conservation innovation grants[/title][fusion_text]Tuesday, January 26th 2016
If you’re a Minnesota corn farmer with an idea on how to better manage nitrogen and protect water quality, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) would like to help you put that idea into practice. MCGA, working in partnership with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC), is offering conservation innovation grants of up to $7,000 to any Minnesota corn farmer seeking to test or develop an innovative or best practice in the following areas:
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Nitrate loss reduction
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Improved nitrogen management practices for Minnesota soils
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Maintaining or improving water quality,
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or Innovative soil conservation practices.
“We know there are ideas out there and we want to hear them,” said Dr. Paul Meints, MCGA’s Research Director. “If you’ve been thinking about trying something different on your farm, but are hesitant because of limited resources, this grant program is for you.” Every year Minnesota corn farmers support about $4 million in research efforts through respected institutions like the University of Minnesota to address water quality and nutrient management issues. The new Conservation Innovation grant program would enhance those efforts by providing an opportunity for individual farmers to showcase their own ideas and examine how they could be replicated on other area farms. “We’re focused on farm-level implementation with these grants,” Meints said. “If something is effective on your farm, can we replicate it on other farms? What would be the costs to implement? These are a few of the question we’re hoping to answer through this program.” The Corn Growers are also offering grants up to $5,000 for farmers to host a field day that showcases their ongoing nitrogen management or soil conservation practice. Field days would include other area farmers, local elected officials and local business leaders. Field days must be held between April 1 and Nov. 15, 2016. The deadline to apply for grants is 3 p.m. on Feb. 15. Successful and non-successful applicants will be notified by March 15. For additional details about the program, including a complete application packet, go to www.mncorn.org and click on “Research RFPs” under the research menu. Or contact Dr. Paul Meints at (952) 460-3601 or pmeints@mncorn.org.
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