IRRA Receives USDA Capacity Building Grant to support Agricultural Sciences
The Institute for Regenerative Resources and AgriSciences (IRRA) at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) received a USDA Capacity Building grant in the amount of $150,000 intended to enhance experiential learning opportunities for students and expand the applied research capabilities of faculty and students. The proposal, Building a Regional Soil Health Initiative (BRSHI) will increase the viability and sustainability of our Agricultural Sciences programs and our proposed School of Agriculture and establish MSU as a recognized regional resource for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR).
The objectives of BRSHI are:
- ensure technical competencies of students in our new Agricultural Sciences program,
- increase applied research opportunities for faculty and students related to AFNR and
- meet the workforce needs of agriculture and agribusiness in the region.
Based on the outcomes of MSU's NIFA funded planning grant, BRSHI proposes educational and research objectives that further align with current and future regional needs. Soil Health was identified as one of the priority issues by industry stakeholders. Grant funds will be utilized to purchase laboratory equipment related to soil health, soil science and plant science necessary to build MSU's capacity to expand research and experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty in our AFNR
programs.
