Rosholt Farm
M. L. 2019: (d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more-precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters and for grants to support on-farm demonstration of agricultural practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024.
M.L. 2017: (d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters and for grants to support on-farm demonstration of agricultural practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
M.L. 2017: (d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters and for grants to support on-farm demonstration of agricultural practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
M.L. 2015: (d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020
(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
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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
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with partners at the Rosholt Research Farm in Westport, Minnesota to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogen best management practices and the associated water quality impacts on irrigated, sandy soils.
The MDA has a joint powers agreement with Pope Soil and Water Conservation District to support work at the Rosholt Research Farm. Project partners are working with the University of Minnesota on three main research projects:
1. Nitrogen, Cover Crop, and Water Quality Research
GOAL: To evaluate crop yield and water quality impacts of nitrogen management, cover crops and living mulches in irrigated corn and soybean.
The study evaluates the impact of nitrogen fertilizer management and a living mulch (kura clover), cover crop (winter rye) or no cover crop on nitrate leaching and yield for irrigated row crops.
2. Variable Irrigation and Nitrogen Rate Interaction Study
GOAL: To optimize nitrogen rate and irrigation water management and to quantify their water quality and crop yield impacts.
The study evaluates the interaction between nitrogen rate and irrigation water management to determine water quality and grain yield impacts, optimum nitrogen rate, and water use efficiency. The study will also evaluate methods for in season remote sensing based water and nitrogen diagnosis.
3. Evaluation of four irrigation scheduling methods
The study evaluates four different strategies for agricultural water management, will develop an easy-to-use, simple and inexpensive tool for irrigation management based on soil matric potential and will promote the best irrigation management scheduler through outreach and education events.
This project is funded through the Clean Water Research Program, to learn more please visit the project web page.
To learn more about the Rosholt Farm projects 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 the MDA's website.
Nitrate-nitrogen occurs naturally in groundwater at low levels across Minnesota. Elevated levels of nitrate have been found in Minnesota groundwater, mainly in areas where well construction, presence of bedrock near the surface or coarse-textured soil allows for rapid movement of nitrate from the surface down to groundwater resources. One source of elevated nitrate can be nitrogen fertilizer, especially when applied to sandy soils where the groundwater is vulnerable to contamination. The use of nitrogen and irrigation best management practices help reduce the risk of these nitrogen losses.
The Rosholt Research Farm is located in Pope County near Westport, Minnesota. The farm's sandy soils and need for supplemental irrigation typifies the challenges that many crop producers face on the outwash sands of west-central and central Minnesota. The farm is approximately 40 acres in size.
The Rosholt Farm is dedicated to agricultural research and education related to irrigation and nitrogen best management practices. Researchers focus on regional issues and agricultural practices that are typical in an area. Researchers address challenges and opportunities for producers in the central sands region of Minnesota. The farm hosts field days during the cropping season. Also, information from the projects continually informs the important University of Minnesota nitrogen fertilizer recommendations specific to irrigated, sandy soils.