| JUSTIFICATION
Minnesota agriculture is dominated by a few major crops. However, producers throughout the state grow more than 70 different crops. Producers chose to grow a lesser grown crop for a variety of reasons, such as unusual spring planting conditions, increased profitability, managing their financial risks by diversifying their crops, or for ecological reasons. Some of the possible uses for alternative crops are as forage, for oil, in crop rotations, as exotic foods or beverages, for medicinal applications, for industrial products, for pulp and paper, or to benefit the environment. Organic food is also very popular—in fact, it is the fastest growing segment in the U. S. food industry. Growth in Minnesota sales of organic foods exceeds that national annual increase. Minnesota ranked seventh overall in certified organic acreage in the U. S., with 4.73% of the total U. S. acres, or about 64,000 acres in 1997. Approximately 0.2% of farmland in Minnesota was farmed organically in 1997. Minnesota ranked first in organic corn and buckwheat production, second in soybean and flax production and third in overall small grain production. In livestock, Minnesota ranked third in organic dairy cattle and eighth in layers. Farm gate prices for organic commodities in 1999 ranged from 35% to 141% above those for conventional commodities. Keeping interested producers in Minnesota informed of organic production options and research can help ensure Minnesota's place in the lead of this growing industry. Organic and alternative crops benefit the stability of Minnesota's agricultural economy and ecology.
AUDIENCE
Minnesota producers interested in organic or alternative agriculture
Ag-professionals
Organic buyers
North Dakota producers
OBJECTIVE
To provide resources and improve the production efficiency and profitability through dissemination of research-based information to interested producers.
PROGRAM TEAM MEMBERS
Lee Hardman, Coordinator and Agronomy Content Specialist
Helene Murray, Program Coordinator
Roselyn Biermaier, Educator
Zach Fore, Regional Cropping Specialist
Hans Kandel, Content Specialist
Bud Markhart
Terry Nennich, Educator
Kent Olson, Educator
Paul Porter, Content Specialist
COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture
North Dakota State University
Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers
Northern Plains Sustainable Agricultural Society
PROGRAM PRODUCTS
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