Supply chains

The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) is committed to building relationships that move University of Minnesota agricultural innovation from lab to farm to table. Our supply chain work:

• Focuses on crops and systems intended to provide diversity on the landscape; protect our soil, water and air; spur innovation and generate economic opportunity.

• Connects University of Minnesota researchers with community experts and innovators in Greater Minnesota.

• Facilitates University interdepartmental and cross-departmental collaborations to tackle research opportunities from a systems-based perspective.

Project examples

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Hazelnut industry study

2016, Sames, Lanthier, Carlson

Research, breeding and development of a commercially viable hazelnut adapted for the Upper Midwest has been underway for over 10 years. As perennial plants, hazelnuts provide myriad benefits to the ecological and agricultural landscape. This study, funded in part by RSDP, analyzed the Upper Midwest hazelnut industry, providing insight into potential successes and pitfalls of this new agricultural crop.

Additional Resources:

• University of Minnesota Forever Green hazelnut research

• American Hazelnut Company

Building supply chain networks to increase access to markets for University specialty crops

2016-18, Draeger, Carlson

This project draws on cross-disciplinary University of Minnesota expertise to build networks between researchers, farmers, culinary professionals, food entrepreneurs, and food and agricultural businesses interested in growing, testing and piloting University-developed and improved specialty crops.

Additional Resources:

• GrowNorth Resource Navigator

The garlic project

2017-19, Ford, Carlson

The "Garlic Project" is a collaboration between RSDP and the Sustainable Farming Association, supported by a generous grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This project intends to enhance existing producers’ and new farmers’ profitability by increasing premium garlic production in Minnesota. Producers receive training in the best production and marketing practices, expanding markets and supply chains, and conducting research on improved cultivation methods.

Additional Resources:

• Sustainable Farming Association garlic project

For more examples of our supply chain work

Explore our projects