Smarty Plants Podcast
Discover Smarty Plants, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's podcast that digs into the fascinating world of invasive species. Join expert guests as they share insights and solutions to protect our environment and agricultural resources. Visit Smarty Plants and start listening today.
Research projects are selected through a request for proposal process administered by the University of Minnesota. The MDA oversees the distribution of funds and coordinates reporting on progress results and outcomes. Funds received are used to support specific projects as well as designated positions at the University of Minnesota.
Additional information, including project title, the principal investigator, project status, and funds awarded is listed by fiscal years. The funding source is included in parentheses.
- 2024-2025 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2023-2024 Forever Green Projects (LCCMR)
- 2022-2023 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2020-2021 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2018-2019 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2017 Forever Green Projects (General Fund)
- 2016 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
The following positions are currently supported annually through the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Tech Transfer program (AGREETT) at the University of Minnesota. A total of $802,000 per year is used to support these positions.
Position | Current Staff |
---|---|
Perennial Cereals Breeding & Genomics Research Assistant Professor |
Dr. Prabin Bajgain |
Winter Annual Oil Seed Crops Breeding and Genomics Research Assistant Professor | Dr. Julia Zhang |
Winter and Spring Pea Breeding and Genomics Researcher 6 |
Dr. Steven Mulkey |
Hazelnut Breeding and Agronomic Research Researcher 6 |
Dr. Lois Braun |
Associate Director FGI, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Research Specialist 3 | Dr. Mitch Hunter |
Director of Commercialization, Adoption, and Scaling FGI, Business Development Specialist 2-Strategic Alliances | Colin Cureton |
Research projects are selected through a request for proposal process administered by the University of Minnesota. The MDA oversees the distribution of funds and coordinates reporting on progress results and outcomes. Funds received are used to support specific projects as well as designated positions at the University of Minnesota.
Additional information, including project title, the principal investigator, project status, and funds awarded is listed by fiscal years. The funding source is included in parentheses.
- 2024-2025 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2023-2024 Forever Green Projects (LCCMR)
- 2022-2023 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2020-2021 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2018-2019 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2017 Forever Green Projects (General Fund)
- 2016 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
The following positions are currently supported annually through the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Tech Transfer program (AGREETT) at the University of Minnesota. A total of $802,000 per year is used to support these positions.
Position | Current Staff |
---|---|
Perennial Cereals Breeding & Genomics Research Assistant Professor |
Dr. Prabin Bajgain |
Winter Annual Oil Seed Crops Breeding and Genomics Research Assistant Professor | Dr. Julia Zhang |
Winter and Spring Pea Breeding and Genomics Researcher 6 |
Dr. Steven Mulkey |
Hazelnut Breeding and Agronomic Research Researcher 6 |
Dr. Lois Braun |
Associate Director FGI, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Research Specialist 3 | Dr. Mitch Hunter |
Director of Commercialization, Adoption, and Scaling FGI, Business Development Specialist 2-Strategic Alliances | Colin Cureton |
The FGI Partnership Steering Council and the FGI Partnership Learning & Experimentation Network have been formed. The goal of this activity is to create and support working relationships between partners and coordinate and enhance the investments made in the FGI. The expected outcome of this coordination is greater support for new markets and supply chains and extensive production of these crops in targeted areas where they will have the largest water quality benefit.
The steering council has active members drawn from the public, private, and advocacy sectors. They have developed a council charter and a 12-month workplan and hold regularly scheduled meeting to discuss strategies and opportunities to further FGI crops. More information is available by contacting Dr. Nick Jordan (jorda020@umn.edu) at the University of Minnesota.
The FGI Partnership Steering Council and the FGI Partnership Learning & Experimentation Network have been formed. The goal of this activity is to create and support working relationships between partners and coordinate and enhance the investments made in the FGI. The expected outcome of this coordination is greater support for new markets and supply chains and extensive production of these crops in targeted areas where they will have the largest water quality benefit.
The steering council has active members drawn from the public, private, and advocacy sectors. They have developed a council charter and a 12-month workplan and hold regularly scheduled meeting to discuss strategies and opportunities to further FGI crops. More information is available by contacting Dr. Nick Jordan (jorda020@umn.edu) at the University of Minnesota.
Research projects are selected through a request for proposal process administered by the University of Minnesota. The MDA oversees the distribution of funds and coordinates reporting on progress results and outcomes. Funds received are used to support specific projects as well as designated positions at the University of Minnesota.
Additional information, including project title, the principal investigator, project status, and funds awarded is listed by fiscal years. The funding source is included in parentheses.
- 2024-2025 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2023-2024 Forever Green Projects (LCCMR)
- 2022-2023 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2020-2021 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2018-2019 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
- 2017 Forever Green Projects (General Fund)
- 2016 Forever Green Projects (Clean Water Fund)
The following positions are currently supported annually through the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Tech Transfer program (AGREETT) at the University of Minnesota. A total of $802,000 per year is used to support these positions.
Position | Current Staff |
---|---|
Perennial Cereals Breeding & Genomics Research Assistant Professor |
Dr. Prabin Bajgain |
Winter Annual Oil Seed Crops Breeding and Genomics Research Assistant Professor | Dr. Julia Zhang |
Winter and Spring Pea Breeding and Genomics Researcher 6 |
Dr. Steven Mulkey |
Hazelnut Breeding and Agronomic Research Researcher 6 |
Dr. Lois Braun |
Associate Director FGI, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Research Specialist 3 | Dr. Mitch Hunter |
Director of Commercialization, Adoption, and Scaling FGI, Business Development Specialist 2-Strategic Alliances | Colin Cureton |
The FGI Partnership Steering Council and the FGI Partnership Learning & Experimentation Network have been formed. The goal of this activity is to create and support working relationships between partners and coordinate and enhance the investments made in the FGI. The expected outcome of this coordination is greater support for new markets and supply chains and extensive production of these crops in targeted areas where they will have the largest water quality benefit.
The steering council has active members drawn from the public, private, and advocacy sectors. They have developed a council charter and a 12-month workplan and hold regularly scheduled meeting to discuss strategies and opportunities to further FGI crops. More information is available by contacting Dr. Nick Jordan (jorda020@umn.edu) at the University of Minnesota.

