Last week, the USDA announced the next round of awards under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program. Congratulatory shout-outs to partners in the region for landing the $$$ for these Very Important Projects.
Valentin Picasso et al, Wisconsin, Fostering Resilience and Ecosystem Services in Landscapes by Integrating Diverse Perennial Circular Systems
Linda Prokopy et al, Purdue, #DIVERSECORNBELT: Resilient Intensification through Diversity in Midwestern Agriculture
Raj Raman et al, Iowa State, Regenerating America's Working Landscapes to Enhance Natural Resources and Public Goods through Perennial Groundcover (PGC)
We look forward to working with you and learning from you!
Erin Meier, GLBW Director
New GLBW fact sheet about projects to protect drinking water with Kernza
Check out our new and improved fact sheet about MN projects to protect drinking water with Kernza® perennial grain, while building supply chains and developing consumer products along the way!
Partner Spotlight: Dr. Katherine Frels Wintry Breeder
Early this year, Dr. Katherine Frels left her position as Research Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics and moved "south" to work on small grains breeding and genetics in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as Assistant Professor.
At UMN, her research focused on the development of winter annual oilseeds. She told GLBW recently that although she's not working on oilseeds she continues to work in winter annuals and her "passion for keeping the ground covered over the winter hasn't diminished." Her UNL program focuses on winter wheat, winter barley, and winter triticale. "The winter triticale market is really taking off right now with the push for cover crops, and I hope to use the lessons learned from my time working with pennycress and camelina to position our winter triticale program for continuous living cover systems."
Last fall before her move, UMN graduate student Katie Black interviewed Dr. Frels about her work on winter oilseeds and their potential to provide new income opportunities for producers while also improving soil and water quality. Read on for that and if you'd like to keep up with Dr. Frels' important wintry research, follow her on twitter @FrelsintheField and @Huskerwheat. Thanks, Katherine!!
Why do we need winter annuals on the landscape?
This is something most people don’t think about, and when you explain it, people say, “This makes so much sense! Why aren’t people doing it?”
It comes down to the fact that in the Midwest, we have a short growing season. What this means is that our fields are bare and brown for most of the year. This means our soil can erode and take nutrients like nitrogen with it. These nutrients end up in our waterways and create pollution. By having something on the ground, we can prevent that pollution.Those benefits are true for cover crops in general. We’re looking at winter annuals specifically because of the cold climate. When it comes down to it, farming is a business. Something we have always tried to reach is a sustainable system, as well as a profitable one. With green living cover like winter oilseeds, you get the unique benefits of having lots of different crops on the landscape - from increased soil health to insects to birds - and also get the financial benefits for the farmer. By making a relatively simple change, I think we can get a system wide change.
What are the challenges and opportunities associated with winter annuals?
Oct 15, applications due - Practical Farmers of Iowa is hiring a Strategic Initiatives Coordinator. The Strategic Initiatives team works creatively to build collaborative connections between the private and public sectors that accomplish the goals of farmer members on the broader Iowa and Midwestern landscape.
Oct 16, 10-Noon - River Country Pasture Walkat Golden Hills Farm, Colfax, WI - grazing milk cows using a leader-follower system.
Oct 25, application review will begin - Postdoc opportunity to work with Dr. Sarah Taylor Lovell at the Center for Agroforestry at Mizzou to gain a better understanding of human health benefits of agroforestry-grown nuts and berries.
Oct 26, applications due - University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension has a Natural Resources Educator position open. The Natural Resources Educator designs, delivers, and evaluates research-based educational programming and services aligned with the position's programmatic focus.
Oct 29, applications due - Artisan Grain Collaborative is seeking a Network Engagement Managerto create and execute a cohesive strategy for AGC member engagement and network building. The Network Engagement Manager will be pivotal to the communication between and coordination of five Working Groups that are integral to carrying out AGC’s mission. Apply for the position here.
Oct 29, applications due - Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is seeking a Farmer Mentorship Program Managerto coordinate a new farmer peer learning program for beginning and experienced farmers producing food-grade small grain crops, and geared toward women farmers, encompassing program management, on-the-ground grain farming, and educational duties. Apply for the position here.
Soon - Dr. Julie Dawson's labat University of Wisconsin-Madison, in partnership with Dr. Lucia Gutierrez's laband Artisan Grain Collaborative, is hiring a Research Associate to help increase the production of high quality cereal grains for the region, including supporting variety development, quality testing, market development, and education around the production and use of food-grade grains. Read more about the position and how to apply here.
Oct 31, applications due - National Wildlife Federation’s sustainable agriculture team is growing and hiring a new Agricultural Communications Coordinator. The Sustainable Agriculture Program works with agricultural communities to break down the cultural barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.
Nov 8, applications due - Land Stewardship Project is Hiring an Executive Director! Are you passionate about farming, rural communities, and social justice? Would you like the opportunity to help create a fair, just, and resilient food and farm system by leading one of the premier people’s organizations in the Upper Midwest? The Land Stewardship Project is seeking an executive director to lead as LSP launches its 40th year of “keeping the land and people together.”
Soon, positions start Jan 2022 - Utah State University, TWO MS Graduate Research Assistantships in Small Grains Genetics. The GRA positions will enable highly motivated students to explore applied research topics related to breeding strategy development for winter wheat and/or barley.
Remember to promote your opportunities through GLBW
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