Future of farming is next talk in St. Croix Valley speaker series

University of Minnesota scientist will share work to develop new crops and agriculture systems to protect soil and water.

St. Croix 360

February 12, 2020

2 minute read

Via the St. Croix Valley Foundation:

Wed March 18, 2020
11:30 am – 1:00 pm (11:30 Lunch, Speaker begins at noon, Q&A at 12:45)
Lake Elmo Inn & Event Center

The next Conversations of the Valley presentation, “The Forever Green Initiative & the Future of Farming,” will be held Wed March 18, 2020 and will focus on the environment and agriculture.

Dr. Don Wyse (Photo courtesy University of Minnesota)

The University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative is harnessing regional knowledge, research, crop development breakthroughs and more to meet water quality and soil nurturing goals for this region.

The U of M’s Dr. Don Wyse will present the latest on the Forever Green Initiative:

For the state of Minnesota to meet proposed water quality goals, winter annual and perennial crops need to be developed and integrated into our region’s agricultural landscapes. The Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota is developing these new winter annual and perennial crops, with associated efficient farming systems, that will lead to improved water quality and enhanced soil health.

These breakthrough crops can also bolster rural and agriculture-reliant economies with high-value, commercially marketable food, feed, and fuel products. Perennial and winter-annual crops –working in tandem with summer annual crops–can capture solar energy, water, and nutrients with very high efficiency.

“The Forever Green Initiative & the Future of Farming” represents the 3^rd in a 4-part series focused on environmental issues affecting the St. Croix Valley region.

Conversations of the Valley is a long-running speaker series that was established to engage citizens around issues affecting our local communities. The theme of this season’s 4-part speaker series is ‘Protecting the Places We Love’ – inspired by the upcoming 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.

Earth Day was initiated by the late Gaylord Nelson, former U.S. senator and governor of Wisconsin. Mr. Nelson (1916-2005) was born and raised in Clear Lake, Wisconsin (Polk County). He served as Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Senator from 1958 – 1981. In 1995 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on environmental issues.

Reservations taken in advance at www.scvfoundation.org. $21 fee includes lunch. Seating is limited. Reservations are non-refundable.