Ag Innovation Update

A senior advisor to US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack is a proponent of agriculture’s role in the nation’s renewable energy future. Robert Bonnie is senior advisor on climate change and the environment. Bonnie told participants at the Renewable Energy Roundtable in Walker that agricultural land should be included in cap and trade discussions. "We’ve gotten used to land-owners and environmentalists fighting over issues," Bonnie says. "We have an opportunity to… Continue Reading USDA Advisor Addresses Cap & Trade

BioCycle magazine’s Conference on Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling — held last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota — drew over 300 participants from across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with others coming from China, Germany, Belgium and Australia. Speakers addressed the growing interest in North America to adopt anaerobic digestion technologies to process municipal solid waste streams. Others addressed investment and financing opportunities, critical factors to monitor for successful digestion… Continue Reading Biocycle Energy

Farmfest 2009 visitors will be able to do something to help those in need this summer. AURI and a number of other Minnesota agriculture organizations are teaming up to collect nonperishable food items, personal care products and cash for the Second Harvest Heartland food bank. The AURI tent will be the drop-off site for donations during the outdoor farm show. "Even though we live in an area that produces a… Continue Reading AURI Hosting Food Drive at Farmfest 2009

There is growing interest among consumers in knowing the origin of the food they are buying. That is creating opportunities for some producers. But if you’re planning to compete in local food markets, be prepared. The bite can be more than a small grower can chew. That’s advice from a recent AURI market study of local foods. There is strong demand for Minnesota grown foods, and small-scale direct marketing is… Continue Reading Going Local

Altura, Minn.-The Kreidermacher family has a history of innovation. Now several members of the family are being recognized for that spirit by being named AURI’s 2009 Ag Innovator of the Year. The award was presented June 18 in Winona. After years of growing vegetables and flowers for family and friends on their Winona county farm, Ed and Joyce Kreidermacher took the plunge in 1985 and built a full-fledged greenhouse on… Continue Reading Southeastern Minnesota operation named 2009 Ag Innovator of the Year