The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) sponsored the project as part of its Pesticide Reduction Options (PRO) program.  The project included workshops and practical on-farm demonstrations and field days in Central, Southwestern, Northwestern, and Southeastern Minnesota.  Four farmers demonstrated the alternative weed control approaches considered in the project.  Each of the farmers put on two field days and a workshop during the project.  These events were coordinated in partnership with the state Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) Program Manager, local SFA chapter members, and in some cases, local extension educators and crop consultants.
 

Key Participants

Sponsor
Edward Wene, Project Monitor, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

Weed Suppressing Cover Crops
Jaime DeRosier, Farmer
Hans Kandel, Red Lake County Extension Educator

Flame Weeding
Jean Peterson & Al Sterner, Farmers
Tom Wegner,  Extension Educator and Associate Professor

Mechanical Weed Management
Carmen Fernholz, Swine and Crop Farmer
Elizabeth Dyck, Assistant Professor, Southwest Research and Outreach Center

Conservative Application of Herbicides
Dale Katterhagen, Dairy Farmer, Chairman of Todd County Soil and Water District
Del Glanzer, Crop Consultant

Project Personnel
DeEtta Bilek, Program Manager and Farmer, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
Fred Cox, Farmer and Computer Consultant
 
 

Sources

Photo courtesy of Tom Bilek.