Projects and Programs
Extension programs of the department cover such subjects as soil fertility and nutrient management, climatic influence on agricultural production, water quality and pollution, and waste management and utilization. The department's programs have been highly respected for their timely and relevant information, objective views and factual accuracy.
Climate and Weather Education
Climate and Weather Education
Extension's Climate and Weather Education Program works to to create better understanding, planning, and decision-making through the use of climatic data, real-time weather observations, and forecast products.
- Mark Seeley, Program Coordinator
- Pete Boulay, DNR Climatologist
- Kenneth Blumenfeld, DNR Climatologist
Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Production
Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Production
The Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Program seeks to research and educate on early-season stand establishment and development of integrated cropping systems that improve production efficiency while reducing inputs and protecting our natural resources.
Commodity Crop Production
Commodity Crop Production
The Commodity Crop Production program focuses on the delivery of timely and relevant research-based information and sound agronomic production principles in order to accelerate the adoption of production practices that increase profitability and reduce economic and environmental risks that face commodity crop producers in Minnesota.
- Jim Anderson, Soil Mgmt content Specialist
- John Lamb, Nutrient Mgmt Content Specialist
- Tom Halbach, Soil Mgmt Content Specialist
- Les Everett, Education Program Coordinator
- John Moncrief, Soil Mgmt Content Specialist
- Gyles Randall, Nutrient & Soil Mgmt Content Specialist
- George Rehm, Soil Fertility Content Specialist
Drainage and Water Management
Drainage and Water Management
The Drainage and Water Management Program provides research-based drainage and water management education to various target audiences and regions to enhance decision making abilities; helps increase profit and sustainability of agriculture through sound water management; and helps improve understanding and awareness of environmental impacts of water management practices.
- Jeff Strock, Content Specialist
Institute for Ag Professionals
Institute for Ag Professionals
Many crop producers rely on ag professionals to help them manage their crops efficiently, with an increasing focus on environmental stewardship. With the increased emphasis that the agrichemical and seed technology industries are placing on education of their personnel, the U of M Extension Service has specifically geared several educational offerings to ag professionals.
- John Lamb, Content Specialist - Soil Science
- Mike Schmitt, Content Specialist - Soil Science
Master Gardener
Master Gardener
The University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardener program has been training volunteers to teach research-based horticultural information in their communities since 1977. The Master Gardener Program will continue to expand its teaching methods and opportunities to serve potential and existing Master Gardener volunteers' educational needs and improve communities throughout Minnesota.
- Carl Rosen, Nutrient Mgmt Content Specialist
Minnesota On-Farm Research
Optimizing Forage Management and Use
Optimizing Forage Management and Use
Growing forages improves environmental quality by providing a buffer strip near waterways, creating wildlife habitat, and potentially providing an alternative source of energy. Educating producers and professionals about proper management and use of forages and their economic and environmental value is an important program of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
- George Rehm, Content Specialist
Pesticide Safety Education
Pesticide Safety Education
The responsible management of both pests and pesticides is essential from the perspective of public health, as well as healthy functioning ecosystems. The management of pests is important in many Minnesota industries, such as: crop and livestock production, forestry, turf, horticultural plants, fisheries, food processing, waste management, transportation of commodities, and tourism.
- Tom Halbach, Content Specialist
- Les Everett, Content Specialist
- John Lamb, Content Specialist
- John Moncrief, Content Specialist
- George Rehm, Content Specialist
- Carl Rosen, Content Specialist
- Mark Seeley, Content Specialist
Suburban Agriculture
Suburban Agriculture
The Suburban Agriculture Program aims to train immigrant farmers on crop production techniques and integrated pest management, educate small acreage landowners on caring for their land and environment, and decrease specific environmentally-negative small acreage practices in targeted areas.
- Carl Rosen, Content Specialist
Sugarbeet Production
Sugarbeet Production
The Sugarbeet Production Program is a collaborative educational program aimed at improving the profitability of sugarbeet production. This is accomplished through improving sucrose content in the beet, increasing yields per acre, and reducing input costs.
- John Lamb, Soil Fertility and soil management (works with Southern MN Beet Sugar Cooperative)
Turf Management
Turf Management
The Turf Management Program is designed around applied field based research. We have research plots located at UMORE Park in Rosemont and at the TROE Center on the St. Paul Campus. In addition, we have on-site research at over 10 different locations throughout Minnesota. We utilize this research in our presentations/talks, short-courses, websites, field days and for advanced training.
- Terry Cooper, Soil Science Training Specialist
- Carl Rosen, Nutrient Management Content Specialist
Waste Management Education
Waste Management Education
Through careful research, leaders in this program have developed recommendations and innovations for the beneficial disposal of various by-products. This information is distributed primarily through a series of concise publications.
- Tom Halbach, Program Co-Coordinator
- Carl Rosen, Program Co-Coordinator
- John Moncrief, State Specialist
Yard and Garden Program
Yard and Garden Program
The UM Extension Yard and Garden Program provides research-based, up-to-date information to the general public and Master Gardeners on many yard and garden-related topics as well as diagnoses and identification of consumer samples. Concentrating on the topics of consumer horticulture, entomology, and plant pathology, the Yard and Garden Program seeks to improve the quality of life in the state by disseminating the knowledge for successful beautification of the landscape.
- Carl Rosen, Nutrient Management Content Specialist
