Free online event March 18 explores how alfalfa could reshape its role in sustainable ag
CROOKSTON, Minn. (February 25, 2026) — The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) – a nonprofit organization that works to find expanded uses and markets for agricultural products – will host a free webinar on March 18, 2026, as part of its Field of Innovation series. The webinar, “Beyond Forage: Expanding Alfalfa’s Potential for Food Innovation,” is the first in a two-part series to explore how emerging technologies and ingredients are opening the door to high-value, non-forage applications of alfalfa that could fundamentally reshape its role in sustainable agriculture.
| WHAT: | AURI’s “Beyond Forage: Expanding Alfalfa’s Potential for Food Innovation” Webinar |
| WHEN: | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | Noon to 1 p.m. CT |
| WHERE: | Please register in advance |
| WHO: | The webinar is free and open to the public. Ideal for growers, processors, product developers, researchers, and sustainability-focused parties interested in the next evolution of alfalfa use. |
In this webinar, participants will hear about:
- The current state of the alfalfa industry and emerging non-forage market opportunities
- Human-grade food applications for alfalfa and correlating commercial potential
- Novel protein extraction technologies, including RuBisCO-based approaches
- Value-added ingredient development and functionality considerations
- Key processing challenges and recent technological breakthroughs
- How non-forage alfalfa pathways can enhance grower profitability and resilience
- The role of alfalfa in supporting resilient agriculture systems
Speakers will include:
- Beth Nelson, President, National & Midwest Forage Alliances
- Meir Wachs, CEO, Kyomei, (Ltd.)
- Lynn Brakke, Farmer, Brakke Organic Farm
- Michael Sparby, AURI, Moderator
“Alfalfa has long been a foundational forage for many producers in our state, but we are finding new ways for it to benefit agriculture beyond its traditional use,” says Alexandra Ostlund, Business Development Director of Novel Supply Chains at AURI. “Forward-thinking innovation continues to help our ag community thrive while developing beneficial and sustainable products and markets. We’re excited to see and talk about how alfalfa uses continue to evolve.”
This webinar is part of AURI Connects: Fields of Innovation, a platform focused on convening regional ag and food value chains to build capacity and successfully accelerate the commercialization of new crop and livestock opportunities, including new traits for existing crops. Fields of Innovation creates opportunities for connection to build a strong ecosystem in Minnesota and border states, providing ag producers and value chain partners with new market opportunities.
The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Farmers Union, Legacy Agripartners, and Northern Crops Institute.
To attend the “Beyond Forage: Expanding Alfalfa’s Potential for Food Innovation” webinar, register here.
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ABOUT AURI
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute is a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate the expansion of the agricultural economy by empowering expanded uses and markets of agriculturally derived products. It accomplishes this by using science and technology to help develop new uses for agricultural products. It collaborates globally, acts regionally, and is known as an economic catalyst for Minnesota with a focus on bioindustrial products and food. AURI provides a broad range of services, including applied research and development, scientific assistance, and a targeted network across the value chain to foster collaboration. To learn more, visit auri.org.
