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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373125
Research Project: Enhanced Alfalfa Germplasm and Genomic Resources for Yield, Quality, and Environmental Protection

Location: Plant Science Research

Title: A case study in developing, navigating, and maintaining novel partnerships for applied organic research and outreach

Author
item CLARK, MATTHEW - University Of Minnesota
item WEISENHORN, JULIE - University Of Minnesota
item Samac, Deborah - Debby
item BRADEEN, JAMES - University Of Minnesota
item HIRSCH, CORY - University Of Minnesota
item GROSSMAN, JULIE - University Of Minnesota
item MILLER, LINDSEY - University Of Minnesota
item YAKUB, MOHAMED - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2020
Publication Date: 8/9/2020
Citation: Clark, M.D., Weisenhorn, J., Samac, D.A., Bradeen, J.M., Hirsch, C., Grossman, J., Miller, L., Yakub, M. 2020. A case study in developing, navigating, and maintaining novel partnerships for applied organic research and outreach[abstract]. American Society of Horticulture Science. August 10-13, 2020. Poster ID 564.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Over 5 years, a partnership for applied organic agricultural research and community outreach developed between a team of University of Minnesota plant scientists (the Plant Education Group or "PlantEd") and a private family foundation. The multilateral partnership extended to include entities including the University of Minnesota Bee Squad, the St. Croix River Association, The Good Acre, USDA-ARS scientists, site planners and farm staff. Analysis and self-reflection at the completion of the project by the PlantEd steering committee allowed the development of a case study to document to project outcomes, roadblocks, successes, and opportunities created during the partnership. Key outcomes of this project included extending the scope of individually-led research components to outside communities; hands-on training for students and staff on a range of crops; and on-th-job-training for organic certification processes. The site allowed for novel research including pollinator health, greenhouse cover crop evaluation, weed seedbank control through solarization, establishment of a plant diversity garden, and field establishment of a cold-climate grape vineyard, all withing an organic framework. The opportunities that emerged from these and other challenges became professional development learning moments for the on-farm managers and PlantEd researchers, and highlighted the need for deeper preparation and use of established best-practices for community-university partnership development.