Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
200 OAK ST SE
MINNEAPOLIS,MN 55455-2009
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
There are ongoing concerns in the region regarding the future of agriculture and farm and ranch profitability in the Region. The purpose will be to increase agricutural diversity and commerical links to the global marketplace in the Region. The project will focus on concerns regarding the future of agriculture and rural commnities in the Northern Great Plains region in an effort to identify opportunities for success in the Region.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
This 5-state project has one primary goal and five objectives, each focusing on concerns regarding rural development needs in the Northern Great Plains region. The primary goal is to bring together the many resources of the Region into a collaborative effort to address shared rural economic, environmental, energy and community issues with the 5 state region. The first objective is to continue NGP's work developing regional strategies for gaining marketplace advantage for producers and processors in the Region through research and analysis of emerging trends in agriculture and food technologies and development of strategic responses to these trends. The second objective is to complete a Renewing the Countryside book for South Dakota. The third objective is to continue providing start-up, research and project implementation support to the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority as described in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The fourth objective will
be to continue work in developing a multi-faceted approach to getting the region's abundant bio-based renew energy resources to markets. The fifth objective will be to establish the Red River Valley Research Corridor for the purpose of catalyzing the development and growth of science and technology-based enterprises throughout North Dakota.
Project Methods
The specific research and development activities include research the role of the processor, retailer and consumer in determining European agriculture practices;research how European farmers are developing systems of integrated farming that combine the essential elements of profitability for the farmer with productivity and protection of the environment;and provide this information to the Region through a written report;research,write and publish a South Dakota Renewing the Countryside book that conveys a message of hope and possibility in rural communities; provide ongoing technical support for the start-up of the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority;complete a S.W.O.T. analysis of the region to identify strengths and opportunities for hydrogen production and infrastructure build-out;develop with stakeholders a 20-30 year vision and timeline describing how renewable energy options and a shift toward hydrogen fit with one another;define and pursue at least 1 pilot
project demonstrating hydrogen production and use;assist researchers in universities and the business sector in conceptualizing and developing research projects that play to the region's strengths and then assist in identifying funding opportunities;form and facilitate commericalization teams that can pursue specific commercialization opportunities based on market opportunities that have been vetted to a resonable degree and that fit the technologies, capabilities and resources that are or may become available; and convene an action summit on investment capital that involves existing funds within the state and region as well as outside expertise and/or funds with the potential to invest within the state.