Improving Agricultural Ecosystems through Autonomous Weed Control
Project Details by Fiscal Year
2025 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$978,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
U of MN
Recipient Type
Public College/University
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2024
End Date
June 2027
Counties Affected
Benton
Big Stone
Cass
Chippewa
Crow Wing
Douglas
Grant
Kandiyohi
McLeod
Meeker
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Nicollet
Otter Tail
Pope
Renville
Sibley
Stearns
Stevens
Swift
Todd
Traverse
Wadena
Wilkin
Project Overview
Autonomous robots, powered by green hydrogen and solar power, designed to remove weeds in row crop fields can improve agricultural ecosystems with reduced herbicide application and fossil fuel use.
Project Details
Competitive Grant Making Body
Project Details: 2025 Fiscal Year
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 07c
Appropriation Language
$978,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris to develop green hydrogen- and solar-powered autonomous mowers to remove weeds in row crop fields and improve agricultural ecosystems through reduction of herbicide and fossil fuel use. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
2025 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$978,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
11.09
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)
Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.
Measurable Outcome(s)
Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.
Project Manager
First Name
Eric
Last Name
Buchanan
Organization Name
U of MN
Street Address
46352 State Hwy. 329
City
Morris
State
MN
Zip Code
56267
Phone
(320) 589-1711
Email
buch0123@morris.umn.edu
Administered By
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