Research

Cut flowers are a high-value horticultural crop and consumer interest in local, sustainably grown bouquets is increasing. Cut flowers also have the potential to diversify habitat and enhance revenue for vegetable farms and may also provide forage resources for pollinators and beneficial insects. Although there is interest in integrating flowers into their production systems, urban and small-scale vegetables farmers are often space-limited and many lack resources to trial new crops while simultaneously maintaining food production. Currently, little to no Extension resources exist to guide decisions for cut flower production in Minnesota. Our proposal will address this knowledge gap by identifying cut flowers that are suitable for low-input small-scale vegetable production systems and produce high quality stems and blooms for local markets; assess ecosystem services and/or disservices associated with cut flower production based on pollinator and beneficial insect visitation and insect pest pressure; and create educational activities and resources targeted to small-scale vegetable growers on how to effectively integrate cut flowers into an annual production system. We expect that this information will be used to expand cut flower production on urban and small-scale vegetable farms. 

UMN collaborators: Mary Rogers, Tori Dahl, Lia Spaniolo, Robin Trott

Funded by a AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant (SustAg) (March 2024 - February 2026).

This cross-departmental initiative at the University of Minnesota aims to expand and update the undergraduate organic agriculture curriculum to better reflect the realities of small-scale, diversified organic farms in the Upper Midwest. The project integrates organic plant and animal systems—such as a new broiler chicken program at the Student Organic Farm—while also equipping students with practical skills in financial management, marketing, food safety, and biosecurity. Objectives include, 1) expanding curriculum in organic agriculture for UMN undergraduates, 2) sharing new teaching resources with educators and institutions beyond Minnesota, 3) strengthening ties between the Student Organic Farm, Extension, and outreach efforts. Through hands-on experience and innovative coursework, this project prepares future leaders to support and launch organic farms and food systems in their communities.

UMN collaborators:  Mary Rogers, Julie Grossman, Gigi Digiacomo, Helene Murray, Wayne Martin, Sabrina Florentino, Anup Johny, Tori Dahl

Funded by a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's OREI Curriculum Development grant (July 2024-August 2027).