Rosholt Farm
(b) $2,586,000 the first year and $2,585,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; monitoring for pesticides when nitrate is detected; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
M.L.2013: (b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation, including a substantial increase of monitoring of private wells in cooperation with the commissioner of health, monitoring for pesticides when nitrates are detected, and promoting and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices to protect groundwater from degradation.
Measurable outcomes are reported at the end of the fiscal year
Additional funding and in-kind work for this project is provided by Prairie Lakes Co-op (Elrosa) and the University of Minnesota
D. Gary Reents, Public Relations, (320) 554-3328; Keith Nygaard, Chairman, (320) 239-4279; Randy Peterson, Secretary, (320) 634-4737; Tom Talle, Treasurer; Mike Billehus, Vice Chairman
M.L.2013: (b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation, including a substantial increase of monitoring of private wells in cooperation with the commissioner of health, monitoring for pesticides when nitrates are detected, and promoting and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices to protect groundwater from degradation.
- Number of field days, presentations and other educational events that promote local BMPs and the number of farmers and crop advisors that attend those
- Number of different stakeholder groups engaged in nitrate monitoring and reduction activities
- BMPs for coarse-textured soils are revised using data from the Rosholt Farm site
- Percent of surveyed crop advisors and co-op dealers that are aware of newly revised and currently available BMPs
- Number of field days, presentations and other educational events that promote local BMPs and the number of farmers and crop advisors that attend (6 events, 535 participants)
- Number of different stakeholder groups engaged in nitrate monitoring and reduction activities (4 at the Rosholt Farm, statewide the MDA works with over 25 local partners on groundwater protection activities)
Additional funding and in-kind work for this project is provided by Prairie Lakes Co-op (Elrosa) and the University of Minnesota
Keith Nygaard, Chairman, (320) 239-4279; Mike Billehus, Vice Chairman, (320) 239-2051; Randy Peterson, Secretary, (320) 634-4737; Tom Talle, Treasurer, (320) 278-3770; D. Gary Reents, Public Relations,(320) 554-3328
M.L.2011: (b) $850, 000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
M.L.2011: (b) $850, 000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
D. Gary Reents, Chairman, (320) 554-3328; Keith Nygaard, Vice Chair, (320) 239-4279; Ralph J. Peterson, Secretary, (320) 634-1945; Tom Talle, Treasurer; Mike Billehus, Public Relations
M.L. 2009: (c) $375,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year are to increase groundwater and drinking water protection from agricultural chemicals, primarily nutrients.
Additional funding for this project is provided by Prairie Lakes Co-op (Elrosa) and the University of Minnesota
D. Gary Reents, Chairman, (320) 554-3328; Keith Nygaard, Vice Chair, (320) 239-4279; Ralph J. Peterson, Secretary, (320) 634-1945; Tom Talle, Treasurer; Mike Billehus, Public Relations
This project will provide a better understanding of nitrogen fertilizer management on irrigated, sandy soils that are common in central and west-central Minnesota.
Goals:
- Assess nitrogen loss resulting from different nitrogen fertilizer application rates, application timing, and application methods on sandy soils
- Evaluate technology such as delayed release nitrogen products ESN and Super Urea
- Evaluate in-season nitrogen sensing tools such as Greenseeker and Spad Meters
- Provide critical data to help the University of Minnesota revise nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for irrigated coarse-textured (sandy) soils
- Re-establish the Rosholt Farm as a local educational hub for local producers, agricultural dealers and crop consultants
This project is supported through a unique partnership between Pope and Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the Prairie Lakes Co-op (Elrosa), the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. To learn more about this project and other efforts to protect groundwater and drinking water, visit the Minnesota Department's Clean Water Fund webpage or go directly to the Rosholt Farm webpage on MDA's website.
Nitrate-nitrogen is present in vulnerable aquifers across Minnesota and, at times, can exceed the drinking water standard. One significant source of high nitrate can be agricultural fertilizer, especially in sandy soils that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination. The University of Minnesota Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations specific to irrigated, sandy soils were recently revised. This project helped inform that revision process.This project complements on-going University of Minnesota research in Dakota County.
The Herman Rosholt farm is located in Pope County near Westport, Minnesota. The farm's coarse-textured soils and need for supplemental irrigation typifies the challenges that many producers face on the outwash sands of west-central and central Minnesota. The farm is approximately 30 acres in size.
The Rosholt Farm is dedicated to agricultural research and education. Researchers focus on regional issues and agricultural practices that are typical in an area. Researchers address challenges that producers may face in the Central Sands region of Minnesota. Research will be conducted on the Rosholt Farm during the 2011-2015 cropping seasons.