Research

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). 

This project investigates how insect-friendly flowering plants can support conservation biological control in diversified vegetable systems. While traditional insectary plants like sweet alyssum attract beneficial insects, they do not provide a direct economic return for growers. This research evaluates whether marketable annual cut flowers, such as zinnias, can serve as multifunctional alternatives that both generate income and enhance pest suppression.

Using field experiments in brassica crops, we examine how floral resources influence the movement and spatial distribution of key natural enemies, including green lacewings. By applying mark–release–recapture methods, this work moves beyond measuring insect abundance to directly test whether beneficial insects disperse from floral plantings into crop canopies where pest control occurs.

The results will provide mechanistic insight into how habitat design influences biological control services and will inform practical recommendations for growers. By identifying strategies that integrate ecological function with economic viability, this project supports sustainable pest management and strengthens the adoption of conservation practices in urban and diversified farming systems.

UMN collaborators: Dr. Mary Rogers and Isabela Arias, M.S. student

Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii) is an emerging invasive pest threatening brassica crops, such as kale and collards, across urban farms and gardens in the Twin Cities metro. This project investigates variation in cultivar susceptibility and identifies key physical plant traits associated with resistance, including leaf color, waxiness, morphology, and chemical defenses such as glucosinolates. Through field trials and community-based research partnerships, we evaluate collard green varieties under real-world pest pressure and link plant traits to observed damage. Findings from this work will inform integrated pest management strategies that reduce reliance on insecticides, particularly for small-scale and organic growers. In addition to research, we are participating in knowledge exchange with growers through field days, workshops, and Extension resources. By identifying resistant cultivars and actionable management strategies, this work supports resilient brassica production and strengthens urban and regional food systems.

UMN collaborators: Mary Rogers, Cindy Tong, Will Pradel, Matthew Gullickson

In partnership with Shari Cueto from the Urban Farm & Garden Alliance and Lia Spaniolo, Hennepin County Extension Educator.

Funding provided by MN Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (2025-2028).

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).