Current and planned experiments taking place at the SWROC’s Elwell Agroecology Farm are described in a recent research report: Elwell Experiments – 2006 (pdf)

The report describes concluding projects: Variable Input Crop Management Systems (VICMS), Canada Thistle Management with Annual Crops, Date of Seeding, and Hairy Vetch Ecotypes Trial.

New projects outlined include:

• Integration of Alternative Crops in Rotation
• Rye Cover Crop Suppression of Soybean Aphid
• Soybean Planting Date and Planting Rate
• Winter Rye Management in Soybean
• Potential of Intercrops to Stabilize Soybean Performance
• Seeding Date Effects on Fall Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean
• Effect of Companion Crops on Spring Establishment of Forages
• Establishment of Fall-seeded Forages following Spring Crops
• Winter- and Spring-seeding of Forages into Small Grains
• Alfalfa Cutting Management
• Alfalfa Stand Age
• Weed Management in Organic Flax
• Organic Flax Date of Planting
• Organic Wheat After Alternative Crops
• Soybean Variety Screening Methods
• Adaption of Public and Private Soybean Varieties to Southern MN
• Comparison of Organic and Conventional Soybean Breeding Programs
• Organic Herbicide Trial

The report also points out two projects planned for the near future: Weed Management in Field Pea and Flax and Methionine Content of Alternative Crops.

Current mentors of the Minnesota Organic Farmers Information Exchange (MOFIE) are now listed on the MOFIE pages of the University of Minnesota’s Organic Ecology web site.

MOFIE connects producers with experienced organic famers to exchange information needed to farm organically and successfully. The program consists of a dynamic group of certified organic producers from all over the state of Minnesota. Their expertise covers many areas of organic production, including crop, beef, dairy, poultry, vegetable, fruit, maple syrup and flower production.