Pilot Project - Conservation on Agricultural Lands: A Tradition of Innovation

Minnesota Department of Agriculture entered into a Contract with The OmniMedia Group

Quick Facts

Recipient: 
Minnesota Department of Agriculture entered into a Contract with The OmniMedia Group
Source: 
Clean Water Fund
Recipient Type: 
For-Profit Business/Entity, State Government
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected 
Statewide

Theme: Farmers are combining current conservation practices with new innovative technology to protect the environment. 

An interactive exhibit (displayed at Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center in Rochester) will help the Minnesota Department of Agriculture engage more people in discussions about conservation on agricultural land.  It will teach people about current conservation practices and hopefully spark an interest in agricultural issues. The goal is to educate the general public and stakeholders on real world, current issues dealing with protection of water resources and create a tool that will encourage and support dialogue on issues and their solutions.

The intent is to engage the non -agricultural community with an exhibit that links traditional land management with new tools and technology. From microbiology to chemistry to engineering, the agricultural landscape is full of surprising inventions and modern improvements.

Project Objectives:

  • Engage more people in discussions about conservation on agricultural land (support dialogue)
  • Increase awareness about existing agricultural conservation practices
  • Increase awareness about major areas of innovation within agriculture (as it relates to conservation)


Project Deliverables:

  1. Interactive and educational exhibit highlighting conservation practices on agricultural lands in Minnesota (located at Cascade Meadow)
  2. Educational lesson plan that complements the exhibit
  3. Host at least two events that attract and educate visitors about agricultural conservation practices in the 21st century

 

Project Details

The MDA has entered a contract with OmniMedia Group to develop the exhibit. The design team was indentified through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP, specifically the project priorities and scoring criteria, was developed by an advisory team. The advisory team included MDA staff (5) that work in the areas of Best Management Practices, precision conservation, ag-education and environmental outreach.  The evaluation team, that selected the proposal, included individuals from the MDA as well as others including staff from producer groups and other agricultural organizations.

Status: 
In Progress
Start Date: 
March 2012
End Date: 
June 2013

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year(s): 
2012
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, Chapter 6, Article 2, Sec. 3
Appropriation Language 

M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016. 

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$40,970
Number of full time equivalents funded: 
see "Statewide Technical Assistance"
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
  • Number of people (or groups) that view the display per year
  • Number of teachers that use the lesson plan per year
  • Summary of feedback on the exhibit (comment box) or summary of lessons learned (compiled from responses on pre-post activities- either from the students' or teachers' perspective)
  • Number of new partnerships that evolve as a result of the exhibit or number of educational/outreach activities that become available as a result of the exhibit

Specific educational outcomes will depend on the design of the exhibit. At this point, design ideas are conceptual. MDA will begin developing educational materials and identifying specific educational objectives in the fall of 2012.

 

 

Description of Funds: 
Administration costs associated with this project are reported on the project page entitled "Statewide Technical Assistance".
Recipient Board Members: 
NA
Fiscal Year(s): 
2013
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, Chapter 6, Article 2, Sec. 3
Appropriation Language 

M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$13,570
Number of full time equivalents funded: 
see "Statewide Technical Assistance"
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 

Same as FY12

Description of Funds: 
Administration costs associated with this project are reported on the project page entitled "Statewide Technical Assistance".

Project Manager

Margaret
Wagner
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street N.
St. Paul
MN
55155
(651) 201-6488
Email: 
margaret.wagner@state.mn.us

Competitive Grant Making Body

Information on the entities that award competitive grants
Board Members and Qualifications 

Not Applicable

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications 

Not Applicable

Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Agriculture/Forestry/Mining, Education/Outreach, Water Resources, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Clean Water Fund, For-Profit Business/Entity, State Government, Statewide