Minnesota corn farmers once again have the opportunity to put their innovative conservation ideas into action through the Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant Program. Proposals are being accepted until Dec. 31.

In its fourth year, the Innovation Grant Program is accepting proposals focused on innovation solutions to preventing both nitrogen and phosphorous loss to ground and surface water. Each accepted proposal will feature novel practices related to improved nitrogen and/or phosphorous management on a field scale program.

Last year, 12 projects were approved for funding, each with a focus on preventing nitrogen loss. The 2019 Innovation Grant Program has expanded to solutions that improve phosphorous management, which has been a focus for farmers in the Red River Valley, specifically.

“Minnesota’s corn growers are taking a proactive approach to improving nutrient management, and the Innovation Grant Program continues to be a great avenue for farmers to put their idea to the test,” Minnesota Corn Growers Association Senior Research Director Paul Meints said. “As this program has grown, so has the quality of work in each farmer-led project. We look forward to another impressive group in 2019.”

To date, the program has invested nearly $400,000 in 40 farmer-led research projects (33 unique projects and 7 replicated projects) bringing novel solutions to prevent nitrogen loss on the farm. In 2019, farmers are eligible for up to $7,000 per year in funding dependent on the cost to carry out each farmer-led, conservation-minded project. Replicated trials may also be funded at up to $30,000 per year, but must include a statistical design and analysis protocol in the proposal. Criteria and expectations for each of the proposal levels are available within the RFP. Projects must be applied for and conducted by an active Minnesota corn farmer subject to the Minnesota corn check-off.

In the first three years of the program, projects have included novel approaches to cover crop systems, state-of-the-art drip irrigation for spoon-feeding nitrogen, evaluating variable-rate nitrogen programs, and more. For a full list of previous projects, click here.

Farmers have until Dec. 31 to submit a proposal for the program, which they can do here: http://www.mncorn.org/research/

Minnesota corn farmers support about $4 million every year through respected research institutions like the University of Minnesota to address issues that corn farmers are facing every day. The Innovation Grant Program allows farmers to put their own ideas to the test and examine how other farmers in Minnesota might be able to replicate that idea on their farm.

For more information on research funded by Minnesota’s corn organizations, visit mncorn.org/research.