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MCGA offering conservation innovation grants for the second year

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Keith Hartmann used a Conservation Innovation Grant from MCGA to modify this piece of equipment that allows him to plant cover crops while side-dressing nitrogen fertilizer.

Keith Hartmann used a Conservation Innovation Grant from MCGA to modify this piece of equipment that allows him to plant cover crops while side-dressing nitrogen fertilizer.

Minnesota corn farmers will once again have the opportunity to put their innovative conservation ideas into action through the Minnesota Corn Growers Association’s (MCGA) Innovation Grant Program. Proposals on how to better manage nitrogen, protect water quality, or compare farming measuring tools are being accepted through Dec. 15, 2016.

MCGA, working alongside the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC), is offering a total of $255,000 in Innovation Grants to any Minnesota corn farmer seeking to test or develop an innovative or best practice in the following areas:

  • Nitrate loss reduction
  • Improved nitrogen management practices for Minnesota soils
  • Maintaining or improving water quality
  • Innovative soil conservation practices, or
  • Comparing and contrasting the measurable values of large data set decision tools.

“These innovation grants are a great opportunity for Minnesota farmers to develop and showcase their ideas to better manage nitrogen and reduce loss towards protecting water quality,” said Dr. Paul Meints, MCGA’s Research Director.

Corn farmers in Minnesota support about $4 million every year through respected research institutions like the University of Minnesota to address issues that corn farmers are facing every day. The Innovation Grant Program would allow farmers to put their own ideas to the test and examine how other farmers in Minnesota might be able to replicate that idea on their farm.

“We know there are great new ideas out there and we want to assist those farmers to develop them and discover better options for Minnesota corn farming,” Meints said.

The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2016. Successful and non-successful applicants will be notified by March 15, 2017.

For additional details about the program, including a complete application packet, click here. Applicants can also contact Dr. Paul Meints at (952) 460-3601 or pmeints@mncorn.org.

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