Jennifer

The farmers who formed the board of Minnesota Soybean Processors (MnSP) in Brewster in 1999 immediately joined an effort to convince the Minnesota legislature to support a new, greener form of fuel called biodiesel. It’s now a 63-million gallon a year industry in the state. MnSP is a cooperative owned by 2,400 farmer-members. It has the capacity to crush more than 100,000 bushels of soybeans and produce 100,000 gallons of… Continue Reading 2004 Ag Innovator of the Year: Minnesota Soybean Processors

What’s better than turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse? How about turning chicken processing plant waste into rich garden soil? Mississippi Topsoils, located in Cold Spring, Minnesota, takes the protein-filled waste—a substance called secondary activated biosolids—from GNP Company, makers of Gold’n Plump Chicken, and turns it into a consistent, high-performing soil amendment marketed under the trade name “Soil Essentials.” “The innovation in our approach comes in the use… Continue Reading 2003 Ag Innovator of the Year: Mississippi Topsoils

Swheat Scoop, a renewably-sourced cat litter, was initially made by Pet Care Systems—now part of Farmers Union Industries. “Our product is all natural, because it’s 100 percent wheat,” says Tom Moses, director of operations for Pet Care Systems, located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. “The natural side of the market is growing, and we’re positioned to take advantage of it.” “AURI and their laboratories have been instrumental in improving the cost… Continue Reading 2002 Ag Innovator of the year: Pet Care Systems