1992-2001
A partnership of the University of Minnesota's College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Sustainers' Coalition
A Message from the Staff
MISA was created nearly ten years ago to bring the agricultural and University communities together in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. This publication was designed to share and celebrate the accomplishments produced by this University-Community partnership and to describe MISA's intended direction for the future.
There have been significant accomplishments:
- Creation of the Sustainable Agriculture Information Exchange.
- Development of the Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Minor.
- Selection and management of three rounds of School of Agriculture Endowed Chairs in Agricultural Systems.
- Initiation of the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships.
- Development and support of numerous interdisciplinary research and education teams comprised of University-Community partnerships
- Development of the Alternative Swine Production Systems Program.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the commitment, collaboration, and hard work of many people. They are the collective successes of our partner organizations and were achieved despite some significant changes and uncertainties. Key players changed, MISA's Bylaws were renegotiated, and legislative funding for several programs was threatened before being restored. Thanks to the broad support of many friends, MISA managed to weather these uncertainties while remaining faithful to its purpose and goals.
But there is more to be done. As we move into our second decade, MISA will continue to support the above efforts while exploring new opportunities to develop and promote sustainable agriculture. The newly identified priorities of the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences demonstrate a rededication to civic engagement: exemplary education, improving environmental quality, serving urban communities, revitalizing Minnesota's rural communities, promoting safe and healthy food, and enhancing agricultural systems. MISA is excited to be a partner in this work and to continue the University-Community dialog. MISA's future is bright, and we invite you to be a part of it.
History
...MISA represents a working model where no one entity or organization holds control, but where power and opportunity are shared, and where good ideas and persuasion are the negotiable currency for the common good."
- External Review Team's letter to Dean Michael Martin, January 1997
MISA is a collaborative effort of the University of Minnesota's College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (COAFES) and the Sustainers' Coalition. MISA's cornerstone was laid in 1987 when a group of sustainable agriculture community organizations expressed concern about the level of sustainable agriculture work in the University's research, education, and extension initiatives. A series of discussions followed, and from these beginnings, a model to organize and expand the University-Community dialogue on sustainable agriculture was created. MISA came into formal existence in 1992 with COAFES funding and continues to play a crucial role in this dialogue.
Structure
Board of Directors. MISA's Board of Directors consists of twelve to fifteen members. Membership on the Board represents a 1/3 balance among University representatives, sustainable agriculture practitioners (e.g., farmers, ranchers), and representatives of the sustainable agriculture community (e.g., non-governmental organizations, business, government, citizen representatives). We welcome Board of Director nominations.
Joint Seminar. The Joint Seminar is comprised of 20-40 people appointed by the College of Agricultural, Food, & Environmental Sciences, and the Sustainers' Coalition. The Joint Seminar serves as an advisory committee to the Board.
Partner Organizations
"MISA is based on a partnership between the University and citizens of Minnesota who are interested in sustainable agriculture. This partnership has helped foster continuing, meaningful interactions among people from these two communities."
- Robert King
Professor, Department of Applied Economics
Sustainers' Coalition: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 1996- Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, 1987-1993 Land Stewardship Project, 1987- Minnesota Food Association, 1987- Organic Growers & Buyers Association, 1987-2001 Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, 1994- The Minnesota Project, 1987-
University of Minnesota's College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences
Purpose & Goals
MISA's purpose is to bring together the agricultural community and the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. MISA promotes dynamic agricultural systems that integrate the ecological, economic, and social aspects of life. MISA's goals and objectives are to:
Increase the University's response to the needs of the sustainable agriculture community and increase practitioners' influence on the University. MISA serves as a door to the University's resources.
- Increase communication and mutual exchange between the University and sustainable agriculture practitioners.
- Increase the influence of farmers and their practical knowledge on the faculty of the University.
- Increase practitioners' access to faculty.
- Increase practitioners' access to information and literature.
- Identify gaps in knowledge of farmers and of the University faculty.
"We've used MISA many times to link up to people at the University that can help us find the answers that we need, and if the answers aren't there, to encourage someone to start looking for them."
- Dan and Muriel French,
Dairy farmers
Dodge Center, MN
Promote sustainable agriculture thinking within the University so that the concepts permeate teaching, research, and extension.
- Influence the movement of funds to researchers for sustainable agriculture.
- Foster teamwork on sustainable agriculture by funding interdisciplinary research projects, supporting undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and fostering partnerships.
- Oversee an endowed rotating Chair in sustainable agriculture.
- Create a climate of political support for sustainable agriculture among Minnesotans.
- Increase the opportunities for students and faculty to be exposed to sustainable agriculture issues and discussions both on and off campus.
"It isn't big vs. small, organics vs. modern farming, but it is people sitting down together to put their very best forward as citizens to tackle common issues and work for solutions that fit our land, water, and air resources."
- Mary Ann Scharf,
University of MN Extension,
Stevens County
Work with rural communities in discovering and implementing the values of sustainability.
- Develop a method for defining the sustainability of agricultural systems and for assessing their impacts on rural communities.
- Promote sustainable community development principles throughout the State.
MISA works to achieve these goals and objectives through various programs in an effort to better serve Minnesota farmers and non-farming citizens, as well as University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff.
Guiding Principles
Four core principles guide all MISA projects and programs.
- Systems Approach: MISA believes that agriculture is a system in which the land, people, and production of food are interwoven. One aspect of the system cannot be changed without influencing all of it. MISA believes that all efforts to improve agriculture should take care to balance the long-term economic, ecological, and social effects.
- Synergy: MISA believes that people of diverse interests working together cooperatively can produce a positive effect greater than the sum of their individual efforts. MISA's intention is to create opportunities for people to work cooperatively on issues of sustainable agriculture in a way that promotes synergy.
- Healthy Debate: It is MISA's intention to promote sustainable agriculture through all of its various activities. In doing so, MISA welcomes input from any interested parties and will encourage healthy and vigorous debate.
- Balance of Power: MISA is founded upon a balance of power between the Sustainers' Coalition and the University of Minnesota. This balance is reflected in the composition of MISA's Board of Directors and other governance structures. In addition to this internal balance, MISA seeks to achieve an appropriate balance of influence on the University between sustainable and conventional agricultural interests.
Programs
Landscape, Food Systems, Human, & Animal Health Initiative
Purpose. The Initiative seeks to increase and broaden discussions surrounding sustainable agriculture at the University level. It is designed to build interdisciplinary research groups within the University in cooperation with community members. The ultimate goal is to simultaneously enhance the health of the landscape, humans, and animals. The Initiative began in 1998 with an appropriation of MISA's base funding from COAFES.
"When we try to pick up anything by itself, we find it is attached to everything in the universe."
-John Muir,
Naturalist
Accomplishments. A working group has been formed with members coming from several disciplines. A symposium, "Enhanced Landscape, Food Systems, Human and Animal Health," was held in April 2000 to bring together researchers from various disciplines to address issues of agriculture and human and animal health. The symposium included 25 speakers and 125 attendees.
Current & Future Efforts. In February 2001, the working group identified and assigned task forces to several priorities:
- Network Development. To define and develop different ways of linking groups and activities that are committed to exploring complex ecosystem health challenges.
- Learning Dialogues. To design and implement opportunities for ongoing scholarly inquiry.
- Profile Development. To use case studies of the research activities of the Initiative core group members to help clarify its values and what is meant by new modes of scholarship.
Sustainable Agriculture Information Exchange
Purpose. The Information Exchange is a clearinghouse of information on sustainable agriculture and a collaborative effort of multiple stakeholders and information providers. In 1995, the Minnesota State Legislature allocated money for MISA to work with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program to develop and disseminate sustainable agriculture information.
"MISA's role as a visible, competent clearinghouse and referral agent for information on sustainable agriculture is not to be underestimated...When I ask people where they go for authoritative information on sustainable agriculture, they usually say MISA's the best and first stop."
- Phillip Muessig,
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
Accomplishments. Two primary activities have been the development of the MISA website and educational materials.
Website. The Information Exchange maintains a popular website, which is constantly evolving to meet new needs. It currently contains:
In addition to the website's "Ask MISA" section, the Information Exchange also answers sustainable agriculture questions via e-mail, fax, and a toll-free telephone number.
"Specialization is necessary for high-quality, reductionistic research, but interdisciplinary institutions such as MISA are necessary to clarify research needs, and to develop useful research applications such as the Soil Management Series."
- Ann Lewandowski,
NRCS Soil Quality Institute, and Dept. of Soil, Water, & Climate, University of Minnesota
Educational Materials. Development of the Information Exchange's educational materials is a collaborative effort. Input from farmers, students, faculty, and community groups is used at all stages of the development process (to identify and prioritize topics, identify project team members, and to write, review, and disseminate the materials). MISA staff directs this process and facilitates the writing and production of the materials.
Six publications are available in full text on-line or through the University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center. These publications are:
- Organic Certification of Crop Production in Minnesota
- Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit and Environment
- Minnesota Soil Management Series
- Collaborative Marketing: A Roadmap and Resource Guide for Farmers
- Discovering Profits in Unlikely Places: Agroforestry Opportunities for Added Income
- Hogs Your Way: Choosing a Hog Production System in the Upper Midwest
Current & Future Efforts. In addition to maintaining and updating the MISA website, the Information Exchange has several publications currently in development:
- Handling of Solid Swine Manure
- Resources for Beginning Farmers. Building a Sustainable Future
- Red River Valley: Region of Crisis and Opportunity
- Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide for Farmers and Rural Business Owners
The Information Exchange is also in the process of forming an advisory committee to identify possible topics for a new series of educational publications for the 2001-2003 biennium.
Alternative Swine Systems Program
Purpose. The mission of this Program is to conduct research and outreach about swine production systems that are profitable, environmentally friendly, and which help support rural communities in Minnesota. The Program began in 1997 in response to pork producers who had concerns about conventional, confinement-based pork production and were looking for other options. It is funded by the Minnesota State Legislature and is a joint program of MISA, the Swine Center at the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. An advisory task force, comprised of farmers, University faculty, and others connected to the pork industry, oversees the program.
"Through this leading edge work, we now have several state producers exporting alternatively produced, value added pork to high-end markets across the country...This is giving state producers a better return on their production as well as benefiting the environment through the use of low-impact production systems."
- Prescott Bergh,
Former outreach coordinator,
Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Accomplishments. Activities of the past three years include:
- Increased communication among producers through the formation of the AltSwine Listserv, the Alternative Swine Newsletter, the Program's website, a database of individuals interested in alternative swine production, and articles about alternative swine practices in industry magazines.
- Increased educational activities for those interested in alternative swine production systems, including field days, workshops, and the publication of the Swine Source Book.
- Secured legislative funds for research activities including the construction of alternative swine production research facilities at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris and a full-time researcher to investigate priority issues identified by the Swine Task Force.
- Established interdisciplinary connections within the University-including faculty in Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Animal Science, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Soil, Water, and Climate, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
"Since we produce pigs from farrow to market in deep bedding and pasture, we fully realize and appreciate the support and philosophy recognition which MISA gives this new venture (Alternative Swine Systems Program)."
- Dwight Ault,
Farmer, Austin, MN
Current & Future Efforts. Continued funding from the 2001 Minnesota Legislature will allow the program to attain goals already identified for the coming biennium, allowing us to:
- Focus on marketing options for pork produced in alternative systems and help farmers organize marketing cooperatives.
- Seek and secure funds for research and educational activities.
- Continue to build connections by linking researchers to producers for on-farm alternative swine research. A current emphasis is on researching alternatives to the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics.
- Continue educational activities, facilitate networking, upgrade the existing website, develop publications, and expand the existing AltSwine Listserv.
Sustainable Agriculture Minor & Other Education-related Endeavors
Purpose. Helping students develop the capacity to address increasingly complex and trans-disciplinary societal and ecological challenges is critical for the future of agriculture.
"Our department offered a fellowship to a highly-recruited graduate student. He was on the fence about accepting after a departmental visit, but when he learned of the sustainable ag minor program, he chose the U of M over many other offers."
- Richard Levins,
Professor, Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, University of Minnesota
Accomplishments. MISA is heavily involved with the University's graduate and undergraduate minors in sustainable agriculture, WUSA seminars, and Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Internship Program.
Graduate/Undergraduate Minors in Sustainable Agriculture. The graduate and undergraduate minors in sustainable agriculture were created in 1995 and in 1992, respectively. A MISA team-building grant led to the development of the graduate minor. The minors place strong emphasis on systemic approaches to analyzing current agricultural production systems in the U.S., as well as environmental, economic, and social conditions that influence changes in agriculture. Courses designed specifically for this program integrate biology, ecology, agriculture, sociology, history, philosophy, and economics.
"...through WUSA, I have found a diverse community of agricultural researchers ...nowhere else in the University does there exist a group of researchers of all kinds who focus their attention on agriculture in the broadest sense..."
- Karin Matchet,
Graduate Student,
Program of History of Science & Technology
An internship with agricultural producers, non-profit organizations, or government agencies working on sustainable agriculture issues is required for the graduate minor and is highly recommended for the undergraduate minor. The internship offers students an opportunity to gain practical experience in an area that complements their studies, broadens their understanding of food production, and develops learning and thinking skills that will serve them in a variety of settings.
WUSA Seminars. WUSA, or What's Up in Sustainable Agriculture seminars, is a student-run seminar series that deals with sustainable agriculture issues. MISA co-sponsors the series each year with the Sustainable Agriculture Study Group. Seminars are informal, lunchtime gatherings open to all. Seminars address a wide range of topics, including alternative swine production systems, urban agriculture and community gardens, cultural diversity in agriculture, human health and agriculture, applied ecology, and marketing strategies. Guest speakers are from diverse backgrounds--academic, nonprofit, business, and farming communities. These weekly seminars consistently attract 20 to 50 participants.
Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Internship Program. This program is designed to provide undergraduate students with a paid internship opportunity to work with a faculty mentor on a research topic pertaining to sustainable agriculture. It is funded by a private endowment and is managed by MISA staff. Six students have benefited from this program to date.
" Working in the Chippewa River Watershed, I participated in the formation of two citizen/agency partnerships-my experience taught me much about conflict resolution, consensus building, and the importance of citizen participation-I feel this experience was critical to my education"
- Paul Wymar,
Graduate Student,
Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota
Current & Future Efforts. MISA plans to continue strengthening the graduate and undergraduate minors in sustainable agriculture. Specific goals include increasing the number of faculty involved, expanding the activities available for students through the minors, and increasing funding for internships.
School of Agriculture Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems
Purpose. The Endowed Chair is dedicated to stimulating interdisciplinary discussions, new ideas, and leadership in agriculture. It seeks to promote a healthy environment, vital communities, and economic profitability over the long term. It is an unusual Chair, in that it is a rotating appointment filled by agricultural leaders not only in academics, but also from private and public arenas. Individuals or project teams serve flexible, varying length terms as appropriate for their proposed activities. MISA manages the Chair, which is funded by a $1.9 million endowment from School of Agriculture alumni, the Minnesota Legislature, and the University of Minnesota.
"I have been pleased and sometimes amazed at the reception I get at the University, and how, when I have explained the endowment to faculty in a wide variety of disciplines, they become animated and interested. Many folks at the University appear to be interested in systems thought and research...I think this position is an idea whose time has come."
- James Van Der Pol,
former Endowed Chair
Accomplishments. Eight individuals have completed tenure as Endowed Chairs.
Patricia Henderson, agribusiness marketing consultant Carmen Fernholz, farmer, Madison, MN Robert von Bernuth, Michigan State University Current Socioeconomic Issues Related to Livestock Expansion and the Structure of Agriculture (May 1997-May 1998)
James Van Der Pol, farmer, Kerkhoven, MN Alternative Swine Systems (January 1999-January 2000)
- Karen Lehman, Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy Julie Ristau, Utne Reader Magazine, Regeneration Partnership A Sustainable Food System in Southeast Minnesota: Linking the Land Grant University and Communities through the Southeast Regional Partnership to Maximize Opportunities and Address Challenges in an Age of Globalization (July 1999-May 2000)
- Cornelia Flora, Iowa State University Jan Flora, Iowa State University Intersection between Agriculture and Community Sustainability (July 1999-June 2000)
"This Chair seems to be a logical progression for me. It is more structured than my other visiting positions, and offers the chance to work with some of the most progressive researchers, extensionists, and practitioners in the country."
- Luanne Lohr,
current Endowed Chair
Current & Future Efforts. The newest Endowed Chairs were announced in June 2001.
- Douglas Tiffany, University of Minnesota Agricultural Energy Issues (August 2001-August 2002)
- Luanne Lohr, University of Georgia Prospects for Regionalization of Organic Food Systems in Minnesota (August 2001-May 2002)
Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
Purpose. The Regional Partnerships bring citizens and University faculty, staff, and students together to identify and address issues affecting the sustainability of natural resource-based industries, including agriculture and tourism. In five regions across the state, citizen-University boards of directors fund projects that promote the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of their communities.
"MISA played a key role in developing the concept and in securing support from the Minnesota Legislature for the Regional Partnerships...They've begun to develop an educational model that blurs the boundary between University and community and creates the opportunity for questions of sustainability to be at the center of applied University research..."
- Karen Lehman,
former Endowed Chair
MISA helped secure legislative funding for the Partnerships in 1997 to establish three pilot regions. MISA helped coordinate the development of the regional boards and staffing structures. Before additional funding for the program was obtained in the 1999 legislative session, MISA provided staff support to the Partnerships' Statewide Coordinating Committee.
Accomplishments. The Partnerships have funded over 100 research, education, and outreach projects for a total of roughly $1,500,000. The Statewide Coordinating Committee has also hired its own staff and directed a statewide project on the feasibility of local energy generation and distribution.
Current & Future Efforts. MISA continues to share staff with the Partnerships through the split positions of the MISA secretary and the Partnerships' Statewide Coordinator-who also participates in the Enhanced Landscape, Human, and Animal Health Initiative Team. MISA staff are active on the Statewide Coordinating Committee, the Northwest Partnership board, and the Northland Food and Farming Initiative-a major funded project in the Northeast region. MISA's networking experience has helped the Partnerships develop relationships with University faculty, staff, and students and other organizations working to promote sustainability.
MISA plans to maintain its relationship with the Regional Partnerships and to continue to explore connections between MISA programs and Partnerships projects.
Sustainable Farming Systems Team (1997-2001)
Purpose. This team researched the impacts of alternative farming systems on soil and water quality. The project focused on the collaborative efforts of participants from the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, the Southwest and West Central Research and Outreach Centers at Lamberton and Morris, Extension, and non-profit organizations. Funding for this work was provided by the Minnesota Future Resources Fund as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Accomplishments. The results of the four-year study were published in July 2001. The report discusses the water quality and economic profile data from three grazing farms in the study.
Farmers' Summit (1998-2000)
Purpose. A farmer-led network was developed that sought alternatives for current farm policies. MISA, the Kellogg-funded Visions for Change program, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy sponsored the Farmers' Summit--which included farmers from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
"Four years of painstaking research proved that these sustainable farms simultaneously benefit the environment and economically benefit the farm family. The dual goal of sustaining the land and sustaining the farmer is proven to work."
- Sustainable Farming Systems Team report:
"Demonstrating Environmental and Economic Performance"
Accomplishments. The Farmers' Summit developed a policy platform focusing on long-term alternatives that would support farmers in gaining economic and political power, improve labor conditions for farm workers, and offer consumers choices in the market place. The Summit was also responsible for laying the foundation for the Red River Valley Project, an educational publication being developed by the Information Exchange.
Team Grants (1993-2000)
Purpose. This program provided competitive grant funding for interdisciplinary research and education teams to address key issues affecting community and agricultural sustainability. MISA developed a competitive grant process to encourage interdisciplinary teams consisting of faculty, staff, students, non-profit organization representatives, and farmers.
"The work of MISA staff has been necessary to nurture larger-scale research projects spanning multiple investigators and disciplines. These projects are quite difficult to organize, but are widely recognized as vital to the development of science-based solutions to environmental challenges such as the sustainability of agriculture."
- Joint Seminar Letter
to Dean Charles Muscoplat,
May 18, 2000
Accomplishments. MISA funded 14 team grant projects over the course of seven years. Several teams went on to secure additional funding from other organizations.
- Woody Agriculture Team (1993); Information gained from this grant helped develop the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management (CINRAM).
- Biological, Financial, and Social Monitoring Team (1993-1995); Developed "The Monitoring Tool Box" and its companion video, "Close to the Ground."
- Integrated Farm Planning Team (1993); Explored whole farm planning options, developed publication "How to Establish Goals: A Group Project for Farmers & Their Families."
- Sustainable Dairy Systems Team (1993-1995); Developed publication "Knee Deep in Grass: A Survey of 29 Grazing Operations in Minnesota," part of M.S. degree program for a student enrolled in the Graduate Minor.
"MISA has been a lot of help to us as we've tried to put together a sound economical, biological, and social system that fits our needs in today's competitive agriculture environment...Because of our involvement in those two projects (Social, Biological and Economic Monitoring Project and The Dairy Team Project), we've been able to move much more quickly to the sustainable system we are trying to achieve."
- Dan and Muriel French,
Dairy farmers,
Dodge Center, MN
- Graduate School Team (1993-1995); Developed the sustainable agriculture minor for Masters and Ph.D. students. MISA continues to support this program.
- Integrated Approaches in Natural Resources and Agricultural Management: Establishing a Research and Educational Agenda for Minnesota (1997); Helped develop research and outreach agenda for CINRAM.
- Farm Beginnings (1996-1998); Helped develop hands-on workshops and courses for beginning farmers. Now a standing Land Stewardship Project program.
- Team Building to Promote Visioning, Whole Farm Planning, and Alternative Economic Uses of Environmentally Sensitive Areas in the Chippewa River Basin (1996-1998); Helped shape and develop the concept for the LCMR-funded Sustainable Farming Systems Project (1997-2001).
- Evaluating Approaches in Comprehensive Farm Planning (1996-1997); Developed the Whole Farm Planning Network.
- Integrated Cropping Systems Team: Southern Minnesota Cropping Systems (1996); Supported researchers and farmers examining weed control options at the Elwell Ecology farm at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton.
- Assessing the Nutritional Impact of Sustainable Food Systems: Urban and Rural Linkages (1999-2001); Explored nutritional impacts of sustainable agriculture on urban community members, part of a Ph.D. program for a student enrolled in the Graduate Minor.
- Farm Sustainability and Survivability in Minnesota's Red River Valley: Lessons from Adaptive Production and Business Management Strategies of Farmers (1999); Developed a publication with the same name.
- PastureLand: Marketing Antibiotics and Hormone Free Grass Based Milk Products (1999-2000); Developed standards for incorporating direct marketing research and formed a business plan. Information available to others interested in direct marketing value-added products.
- Medicinal Herbs: Creating a Network of Growers and Herbalist Health Care Providers (1999-2000); Established network to develop marketing links between herbal health care practitioners and producers.
Present Board of Directors
DeEtta Bilek, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
Muriel French, Farmer, Dodge Center
Gregg Johnson, Agronomy & Plant Genetics Professor, U of M
Lynn Mader, Land Stewardship Project
Albert Markhart III, Horticultural Science Professor, U of M
Dave Minar, Farmer, New Prague
Jan O'Donnell, Minnesota Food Association
Greg Reynolds, Farmer, Delano
Mark Ritchie, Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy
William Rois, Farmer, Benson
*Bruce Vondracek, MN Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Unit and U of M
Michael White, Animal Science Professor, U of M
Past Board of Directors Members
*R. Kent Crookston, 1992-1996
Mary Doerr, 1993-1997
Carol Ekarius, 1996-1999
Jon Evert, 1992-1998
*Carmen Fernholz, 1992-1998
Doug Gunnink, 1992-1995
Ralph Hilgendorf, 1992-1999
Dana Jackson, 1994-2000
*Loni Kemp, 1992-1998
Tim King, 1992-1996
Rebecca Knittle, 1992-1995
Philip O. Larsen, 1993-1995
Richard Levins, 1996-1999
Randy Meyer, 1996-1997
Roger Moon, 1992-1997
Joan Nassauer, 1992-1994
Jerry Perkins, 1992-1998
Michael Russelle, 1992-1995
Vernon Ruttan, 1992-1995
Charles Schmidt, 1993-1996
Dave Serfling, 1992-1993
Deon Stuthman, 1995-1998
*Mary M. Tacheny, 1995-2001
Mark Thell, 1995-2001
*Bill Wilcke, 1994-2000
*Board of Directors Chair
Present Staff Members
Jane Grimsbo Jewett, Ask MISA Coordinator, 1999-
Melinda Hooker, Minor in Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, 1999-
Wayne Martin, Alternative Swine Task Force Coordinator, 1999-
Helene Murray, MISA Coordinator, 1993-
Beth Nelson, Information Exchange Associate Director, 1999-
Kate Seager, Executive Secretary, 2000-
Monica Siems, Regional Partnerships Coordinator, 2001-
Bill Wilcke, Acting Administrator, 2000-
Past Staff Members
Charlotte Conn, Senior Secretary, 1995-1998
Emily Green, Regional Partnerships Coordinator, 2000-2001
Julie Grossman, Minor in Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, 1997-1999
Sara Hartman, Principal Secretary, 1992-1994
Roxanne Lewis, Senior Secretary, 1999-2000
Debra Elias Morse, Associate Program Director, 1995-1999
Caitrin Mullan, Intern, 2001
Monica Siems, Principal Secretary, 1999
Julie Tranquilla, Alternative Swine Task Forcer Coordinator, 1998-1999
Ken Virnig, Intern, 2000
Don Wyse, Executive Director, 1992-2000
Contact Us!
We welcome your questions and comments. For more information regarding MISA, sustainable agriculture questions, or to provide financial support for MISA's endeavors, please contact the MISA office at any time.
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Minnesota
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Buford Circle
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108
(612) 625-8235, toll-free 1-800-909-MISA (6472)
fax: (612) 625-1268
College of Agricultural, Food, & Environmental Sciences
277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108
(612) 624-3009; fax (612) 625-1260
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
2105 1st Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
(612) 870-0453; fax (612) 870-4846
Minnesota Food Association
3585 Lexington Avenue North, Suite 341
Arden Hills, Minnesota 55126
(651) 766-8895; fax (651) 766-8773
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
20415 County Road 2
Aldrich, Minnesota 56434
(218) 894-1343; fax (218) 445-5673
E-Mail: deebilek@wcta.net
Land Stewardship Project
2200 4th Street
White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110
The Minnesota Project
1885 University Avenue West, Suite 315
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
(651) 645-6159; fax (651) 645-1262 |
