The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is requesting proposals for directing fertilizer research and outreach programs.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/06/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Priorities for Research and Education/Outreach Grants
Continuation studies will have priority for 2024-2025 funding for only the time/length and dollars stated in original RFP approved for funding. “Continuations” are defined in this REP as projects that have been previously funded by AFREC for shorter durations than the length specified in the original proposal. Adjustments to the original budget due to inflation or ‘other increased costs are acceptable and should be explained. if the current project has not completed goals, timetables and reporting, the project may not be considered for continuation status. RFP priorities for new research and education grants in 2024-2025 include:
- Short-term soil health/soil productivity projects (less than five years) that concentrate on interactions of soil and crop nutrients, crop production, cover crops, and soil health/productivity. Proposals should state their methods for measuring soil heath,
- Research to evaluate the impacts of climate change in Minnesota on the nitrogen cycle, fertilizer recommendations, Impacts on the range of EONR (Economic Optimum Nitrogen Rate), and subsequent losses to the environment.
- Research to reevaluate/revise current fertilizer recommendations for Minnesota’s secondary crops defined as those with acreage of less than 2% of MN’s cropland acres (eg., dryland edible beans, sunflowers).
- Irrigation research projects that provide any of the following elements: advancements in fertilizer and water use efficiency; advancements in variable rate technology; evapotranspiration (ET) values for modern hybrids; and irrigation Impacts on environmental parameters such as nitrate leaching losses.
- Precision ag research on sensing technology and tools for sulfur and other less studied nutrients.
- Develop a scoping document outlining the required research and data analysis needed to develop or update ‘manure management and fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) specifically for areas where surface water or groundwater are vulnerable to nitrate-nitrogen losses. This may include the adjustment of BMPs based on vulnerability such as coarse textured sols, sols with shallow bedrock, and karst geology. The scoping document should include an ‘overview of a work plan, timeline and budget, and outline future work that when completed would result in a set of nitrogen management recommendations specific to vulnerable areas. The scoping document may specify BMP region- specific future work as needed.
- Manure management project that updates the University of Minnesota guidance on availability of nitrogen by manure type and livestock species based on management. This may include research, data analysis, and/or development of ‘educational materials and updated summaries of the best management practices (BMPs) to share with farmers.
- Annual research project to gather statewide survey data from ag retailers on farming and conservation practices, including nitrogen and phosphorous applications, tillage practices, and manure utilization. This research should be designed to gather a statistically significant data set that can be utilized to determine trendline information related to the state’s nutrient management goals and current fertilizer use and associated practices, comparable to similar data in other Midwest states such as lowa and Illinois.
- Continued AFREC Research Outreach Coordinator support to 1) Develop and implement a work plan for the annual research RFP, 2) Facilitate AFREC Council meetings and conference calls, 3) Assist with technical aspects of the RFP and assemble a peer review committee, 4) Coordinate various information outlets with AFREC 5) Formal reporting between the Council and the MDA, 6) Represent AFREC and the MDA at related sol fertility research meetings, and 7) Coordinate partnerships.
Funding Information
This year, up to $1,200,000 generated by fertilizer sales from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, is available for this Request for Proposals (RFP).
Eligible Projects
Eligible project activities include research that addresses one or more of the activities as defined by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Program Minnesota Statute 18C.71. These activities include research, education, technology transfer related to the production and application of commercial fertilizer, soil amendments, and other plant amendments. AFREC’s goal is to have projects selected and contracts executed prior to the 2024 cropping season. As directed by the 2024 state legislature, the council updated research priorities and requested guidance related to: (1) the availability of nitrogen by manure type and livestock species based on management; and (2) manure management and fertilizer best management practices for areas where surface water or groundwater are vulnerable to nitrate losses.
Eligibility Criteria
Any organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability is eligible to apply and receive funding. This includes farmers/farmer networks, institutions of higher education, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, urban agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural businesses with research capabilities.
For more information, visit MDA.
