The demand for high quality fruits and vegetables is increasing as human population increases. Concurrently diminishing resources, climate change and invasive species pressure production. Sustainable production practices are necessary in order to conserve natural resources, enhance our environment and provide economic opportunities as we meet of food and fiber needs.

My program integrates teaching and applied research in organic horticultural production systems. My teaching mission is to create life-long learners, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence in horticultural science and food systems. My research program focuses on ecological strategies to improve production of vegetables and fruit and collaborating with local growers and community members to build a sustainable food system.

Growing North Minneapolis: A community-based collaboration in urban agriculture

Growing North Minneapolis is a community-driven collaborative, bringing together North Minneapolis community members, growers, youth leaders of many ages and partner organizations. We prioritize partnerships with individuals and communities of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The GNM team and community represents a wide range of backgrounds with leaders from the North Minneapolis community, as well as partners outside of the community. The program uses a horizontal leadership model, with collective decision-making, in order to ensure that all voices are heard and represented. Collectively, our GNM partnership possesses a wealth of knowledge related to urban, sustainable, and regenerative agricultural practices.

We work together to advance environmental, social, and racial justice through urban agriculture in the North Minneapolis community. Through garden-based education and intergenerational mentorship, we provide education and training for youth and community in agriculture studies and careers. Currently, GNM runs two agricultural education and career training programs in the North Minneapolis community - a school-year program for students at North High Community School (NHCS) and a 10-week long summer intensive urban agriculture internship program for 14-15-year-olds.  

The community organizations involved are NOMI roots, Project Sweetie Pie, Youth Resources, NOMI resources, Rice & Gravy, Black Storytellers Alliance, and the Old Highland, Folwell and Cleveland Neighborhood Associations. GNM also partners with the City of Minneapolis, Step-Up Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota (UMN) and UMN Extension’s Center for Youth Development - Hennepin County 4-H, UMN Extension’s Agricultural and Natural Resources - Hennepin County, and North Minneapolis Public Schools. Our partnership also has representation within the Northside Fresh Coalition, a community-based partnership led by longtime Northside residents with dozens of years of experience organizing, working, and living in the North Minneapolis food system.

Funding provided by: USDA NIFA, Greater Twin Cities United Way Full Lives grant program, UMN Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Community-University Partnership grant (2016-2021)

Published Work:

College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) recently published an article covering Dr. Mary Rogers and Matthew Gullickson's (PhD student) research on essential oil efficacy for SWD control. Check it out here: "Essential oils: exploring a health craze as a pesticide alternative for Minnesota berries".

Out in the Field:

The Rogers' lab team recently planted field strawberries (cv. Albion) at the University of Minnesota research plots on the St. Paul campus. Matthew Gullickson (PhD student) is heading this research project. The main objective is to develop an ecological-based pest management strategy for SWD. Border treatments of sweet alyssum, alfalfa, and an untreated control will be used to measure SWD strawberry infestation and damage, the presence and abundance of other pests, pollinators, and beneficial insects. 

Awards and Honors:

Anh Tran was recently awarded the President’s Student Leadership & Service Award. Anh also received a grant from CFANS Graduate Student Board to fund a year-long subscription of the documentary "Picture a Scientist". 

Naomy Candelaria was awarded a 'Future We Need' prize through Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). 

We welcome individuals who are interested in pursuing positions as M.S. or Ph.D. graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellow positions, junior scientists, and undergraduate research assistants, or through the undergraduate research opportunities program (UROP). We highly recommend contacting Dr. Rogers to discuss current opportunities available, and we invite you to join events and seminars offered through the Department of Horticultural Science. See our current lab members on our About Us page.