LSP’s Proposal for an Ongoing Organic Program
at the University of Minnesota
8/9/07
Funding for sustainable and organic agriculture at the University of Minnesota increased in the 2007 Legislative Session. The Higher Ed Funding bill contains a $1,550,000 yearly increase in funding for agriculture at the University of Minnesota. However, the exact amounts for sustainable and organic programs are still under discussion with University of Minnesota officials. There are no earmarks within the U of M ag budget (called the Ag Special) for any specific work, including LSP’s initiatives. The University has indicated support for a funding level of at least $400,000 of new money per year for an organics program and alternative livestock work at the U of M’s Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA). This funding increase is good news for alternative livestock production and organic systems outreach and research, as it will become part of the base budget and is therefore an ongoing allocation. LSP and other sustainable agriculture and family farm groups support Ag Special funding of at least $500,000 for organics and $150,000 for alternative livestock work at MISA.
LSP proposes an ongoing organic program at the University of Minnesota. As the follow-up to a meeting with Bev Durgan, Dean of Minnesota Extension Services, and Al Levine, Dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, on June 15 the Land Stewardship Project submitted the following proposal for an ongoing organics program at the University. We will work to ensure that the funding secured is spent in a way that benefits and is accountable to sustainable and organic farmers.
Proposal for an Ongoing Organic Program at the University of Minnesota
This proposal seeks to build upon the existing good work the University has initiated on organic research and education. This proposal is put forth as an addition to the current organic outreach and research at the University. The proposal takes into account the following:
- There is significant support from faculty and students for an organic research and education program built upon existing faculty expertise;
- Organic producers have significant unmet research and outreach needs;
- The willingness of the organic community to partner with the University to help guide this important work; and
- Significant support from the people of the state and the Minnesota state legislature for an expanded organic program at the University incorporating research, education, outreach and demonstration.
The main components of this proposal are:
- Create an ongoing Organic Program Coordinator position at the University. This individual would facilitate organic research, extension, and educational programming for a state wide organic program at the University of Minnesota.
- Create a University Organic Advisory Committee comprised of key faculty and representatives from the organic community. The Committee will develop recommendations for research, education, and outreach activities and advise the University on the overall organic initiative.
- An initial set of recommendations to launch the organic agriculture program. (Future recommendations would come from the Organic Advisory Committee.)
The proposal seeks to address two missing elements in the existing work of the University. The first is a lack of an overarching programmatic approach to organic research and education that is ongoing and coordinates work across the various disciplines and departments at the University. The second is a centralized coordination that allows for easy input from the public, including farmers, buyers, and students. The proposal compliments the concept paper “Minnesota Grows Organic (MN-GO): University of Minnesota Organic Agriculture Research and Education Initiative 2007.”
1. Creation of an ongoing Organic Program Coordinator position.
The Organic Program Coordinator, with the participation of the Organic Advisory Committee, will help to coordinate research, teaching and outreach activities on organic agriculture throughout the University. This person will also be a single point of contact for farmers and others wanting information about organic production at the University. This position will work closely with the public, faculty and students. The Organic Program Coordinator will also lead an effort to develop an organic agriculture emphasis in both the undergraduate and graduate Sustainable Agriculture Minors.
2. University Organic Advisory Committee.
A. Composition of Organic Advisory Committee. This Committee will be comprised of the following members:
- The University’s Organic Program Coordinator will staff the Committee
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One Extension staff interested or knowledgeable in organic agriculture.
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Four faculty members engaged in organic research from four different departments. This is to help faculty work across the University system and to bring unique perspectives to the discussion, including work related to the health and environmental benefits of organic farming and food systems.
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Six members chosen from organic and sustainable ag organizations, organic producers, processors, retailers, seed producers, buyers, and certifiers. It will be possible to find individuals who are involved in several of these categories. These appointments should be from persons not employed by the University.
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One representative from the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
B. Role and responsibilities of Organic Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide input and guidance into how to direct resources available for the organic program at the University. The Committee will help facilitate the interaction between the University and the organic agriculture community. In some cases the Committee may make recommendations on resource allocation. Their recommendations on priorities for organic research and outreach activities should be presented to the Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station for funding on an annual basis. The Committee should meet at least four times a year. Their input should be sought in the development of the annual budget. The Committee should receive a summary of the budget allocations for organic agriculture research and outreach at the beginning of each fiscal year.
C. Appointment of Organic Advisory Committee. The Committee members are appointed jointly by the Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, Dean and Director of the University of Minnesota Extension, and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The Director and Deans will select from nominations submitted by faculty, staff, and the public. Nominations shall be sought from the public and sustainable and organic agriculture organizations. The goal will be to select members who broadly represent different aspects of organic agriculture and are best able to provide the guidance needed to ensure the organic work at the University is meeting these needs.
D. Initial selection of Organic Advisory Committee. The initial Organic Advisory Committee will be selected by a nominating Committee comprised of Florence Minar, organic dairy farmer and recognized as the Organic Farmer of the Year at Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference; Nancy Elhke, Interim Head of the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics; Rep. David Bly, State Representative from Northfield with a long standing interest in organic and sustainable agriculture; and Carmen Ferhholz, farmer and organic pioneer and organic research coordinator at Southwest Research and Outreach Center. The initial committee will make their recommendations to the Director of the Experiment Station, the Dean of Extension and the Dean of CFANS.
3. Initial set of recommendations to launch the work of an organic program.
A. Five to ten graduate research assistantships. Dedicated support for graduate studies in organic agriculture is an ideal way to increase the amount of research in organic production at the University, raise the profile of the University’s commitment to organic research in the academic community, and recruit the best minds to the University for this work. Faculty would submit research proposals for research assistantships to the Organic Advisory Committee who, in consultation with the Deans, will select the projects for funding. Faculty would then be in a position to recruit and retain high quality students in the program.
B. Two organic technicians. Additional technical support is needed to assist in organic research. Lamberton has an immediate need and should get at least one of these technicians. Faculty will submit proposals for technician positions to the Director of the Experiment Station and the Organic Advisory Committee.
C. Completion of conversion of an organic dairy herd at the West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris (WCROC). This process has already begun and needs completion. Existing organic dairy farmers need research into many issues including preventing and treating mastitis, breeding and genetics and the best forages. This herd can also help answer questions from farmers who want to convert to organic production. Minnesota’s dairy farms are overwhelmingly small-to-medium-sized independently-owned operations. Many are searching for ways to increase profitability without expansion and conversion to organic production is an ideal option. The University can play a leadership role in facilitating this.
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