Category: Research

The Fertilizer Institute Names 2023 4R Advocates

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today selected three farmers and their fertilizer retailers as 4R Advocates, who are being recognized for their commitment to implementing fertilizer management practices that incorporate the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship and have demonstrated economic and environmental benefits.

“While 4R Nutrient Stewardship is a priority for the fertilizer industry, it’s also a tangible solution for thousands of farmers across America who are seeking fertilizer application practices that have real-world impact on their bottom line and their land,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “We are proud of the industry’s retailers who work with growers to implement these practices at the field level.”

Now in its 12th year, the 4R Advocate program demonstrates the in-field successes of implementing 4R practices based on the right source, rate, time, and placement of fertilizer. 4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve in-field goals, such as increased production and profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability.

In 2021, the fertilizer industry committed to putting 70 million acres of cropland under 4R management by 2030. In January of 2023, the industry can confidently count 46 million acres as being under 4R nutrient management. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

4R Advocates recognized since 2012 collectively farm nearly 300,000 acres on a variety of cropping systems in 25 states. The 2023 class of 4R Advocates represents 13,770 acres across 3 states and grow corn, soybeans, sugar beets, alfalfa, cereal rye, and sunflowers.

This year’s Advocates include:

Andrew Johnstad, Johnstad Farms, Beltrami, MN
Dwight Christian, TDS Fertilizer, Inc., Fertile, MN

Greg Keller, Keller Farms, Monroe, NE
Randy Zmek, Central Valley Ag Coop, Monroe, NE

Randy Bales, Fairholme Ag LLC, Lewisville, IN
Eric Steigerwalt, Co-Alliance Coop, New Castle, IN

Throughout the year the 4R Advocates will be included in TFI’s outreach efforts to promote fertilizer management practices by hosting farm field days, participating in conference panels, and speaking on behalf of 4Rs to their farming peers.

The 4R Advocate program is one of many facets of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to efficiently utilize these nutrients. 4R Advocates and other farmers have partnered with TFI to demonstrate how 4R practices have led to cost-efficiencies and improved environmental outcomes on their fields.

More information and data on their efforts is available at 4RFarming.org.

 

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Welcomes USDA Investment in Fertilizer Production

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of $500 million in grant funding available through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program for domestic fertilizer production.

“The U.S. has one of the strongest and most competitive fertilizer industries in the world, being one of only three nations that has at least 20 unique companies producing fertilizer products,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “The U.S. fertilizer industry consists of large international corporations, small regional producers, and everything in between. They all play a critical role in suppling farmers with the nutrients required to grow the food that feeds the world. While a nitrogen plant can cost between $2-$4 billion to construct, anything that helps strengthen domestic fertilizer production is a win for the industry, growers, and consumers.”

According to information released by the USDA, grants will be used to support innovative and sustainable fertilizer production in the U.S. and its territories.

“Innovative and sustainable are key requirements for the grant funding and they describe the industry well,” Rosenbusch continued. “Innovation has been a hallmark of fertilizer producers as enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and other new technologies play a big role in our ability to feed a growing population.”

Sustainability is also a key focus of the industry and is supported by the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program, which focuses on the right fertilizer source, at the right place, at the right rate, and at the right time.

“A year ago on Global Fertilizer Day, TFI announced our commitment to having 70 million acres of farmland under 4R nutrient stewardship by 2030,” Rosenbusch continued. “4R practices are proven ways of achieving higher yields, lower input costs, and less nutrient losses to the environment. All that in addition to industry efforts to maximize production efficiency by utilizing waste heat and carbon capture technologies.”

TFI also recently began accepting nominations for 2023 4R Advocates, a program that recognizes farmers and fertilizer retailers for their commitment to sound nutrient stewardship through 4R practices.

“The world’s growing population depends on responsible agricultural practices to provide a steady supply of food,” Rosenbusch concluded. “Modern fertilizer techniques, such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship, precision agriculture, and enhanced efficiency fertilizers, are an essential part of this sustainable future, and TFI applauds the USDA investment in strengthening domestic fertilizer production capabilities, innovation, technology, and the responsible use of fertilizer by growers.” 

 

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Next Gen Fertilizer Challenge Identifies New Fertilizer Technologies and Products

Arlington, Va., Oct. 18, 2021 – Today, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the organizations and products selected under the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Collectively, the challenges aim to accelerate the development of innovative fertilizer product technologies and to increase the use of existing enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFS) that maintain or increase crop yields and reduce environmental impacts to air, land, and water.

“Innovation has been the hallmark of the fertilizer industry, leading us to the modern industry that helps feed the world,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “Enhanced efficiency fertilizers and other new technologies play a big role in our ability to do this efficiently and sustainably, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the winners of this challenge.”

The organizations selected today are part of the second component of the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovation Challenge, which identifies novel pre-market technologies for fertilizers that can reduce the environmental effects from modern agriculture while maintaining or increasing crop yields.

Fertilizers facilitate the growth of crops at yields that provide sustained global food production. However, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers applied without consideration of the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (source, rate, time, and place) can have harmful economic, environmental, and social effects. EEFs and other new product technologies and formulations control fertilizer release or alter reactions to increase nutrient uptake by the plant and reduce nutrient losses to the environment. These technologies can be an important addition to a conservation practice system that helps reduce row crop agriculture impacts on the environment, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity and profitability.

Winners include:

Tier 1 solutions ($17,500 prize):

  • Dr. Christopher Hendrickson, Aqua-Yield Operations LLC, Draper, Utah, for a nano-smart fertilizer.
  • Taylor Pursell, Pursell Agri-Tech, Sylacauga, Ala., for “Urea 2.0,” which replaces the conventional urea core with a customizable mixture of materials to provide fertilizers tailored to local needs.

Tier 2 solutions ($10,000 prize):

  • Dr. Kuide Qin, Verdesian Life Sciences, Cary, N.C., for using innovative mixture technologies to improve performance of industry-standard nitrapyrin for longer effectiveness, less nitrate leaching, and prevention of farm equipment corrosion.
  • Dr. Catherine Roue, Fertinagro Biotech International, Portage, Mich., for “Phosphate Liberation Booster” technology, which uses secretions from phosphate-starved plants to boost plant uptake so less fertilizer may be added, and legacy phosphorus can be accessed. 
  • Chandrika Varadachari, Agtec Innovations Inc., Los Altos, Calif., for “Smart-N,” which is a smart-fertilizer that releases nutrients on-demand by the crop, and which creates a chemical “cage” for urea that dissolves into plant nutrients.

Tier 3 solutions (Honorable mention):

  • Dr. Jaroslav Nisler, the Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic, for using derivatives of the plant growth hormone MTU, which helps create longer growth periods, protection from stress, larger plants, and potentially less nutrient loss per unit of fertilizer applied.
  • Dr. Leanne Gilbertson, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Penn., for creating a “protected fertilizer package,” which can carry nutrients through soil pores to the area around the plant roots.
  • Dr. Robert Neidermyer, Holganix LLC, Aston, Penn., for “Bio 800+,” a microbial inoculant that harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes, kelp, and other soil amending ingredients to promote greater crop production and plant health.
  • Paul Mullins, Brandon Products Ltd., Ireland, for “BBS-1,” a biostimulant derived from seaweed extract that is applied as a fertilizer coating to improve nitrogen-uptake in root cells.

The first part of the challenge, “EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge,” identified existing EEFs currently on or near-market that meet or exceed certain environmental and agro-economic criteria. Those products were announced in March 2021 and are currently undergoing greenhouse trials at the International Fertilizer Development Center.

EPA and USDA are working in collaboration with TFI, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The challenges were developed with input from stakeholders such as corn grower representatives, fertilizer companies, university researchers, and environmental and industry NGOs.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

The Fertilizer Institute Funds Research on 4R Practice Implementation in the Northern Great Plains

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2020 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today announced $800,000 in new funding through the 4R Research Fund for a research project led by University of Minnesota to evaluate and adapt the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept for sustainable nutrient management in the Red River Basin.

“One of the basic tenants of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship initiative is that it is not a one size fits all approach, and that’s why geography-specific research, such as this project, is so vital,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “The fertilizer industry’s commitment to the 4R Research Fund is a critical component in our efforts to improve sustainable plant nutrition.”

The Red River Basin of the North is currently adapting to new demands in response to increased grain production and increased nutrient loads in the region’s freshwater lakes. Defining and adopting 4R Nutrient Stewardship and edge-of-field practices for this cold weather climate across the region is critical to reducing the extent and severity of nutrient runoff losses from agricultural land to Lake Winnipeg in Canada.

The international border separating the source of the nutrients from the area of impact has increased pressure on farmers to adopt strategies to reduce nutrient runoff. Previous research in the Western Lake Erie Basin has shown that adopting a 4R framework can help meet nutrient load reduction goals. This project, a public-private partnership, will evaluate the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept and amend it for implementation in the shifting cropping systems and cold climate of the Red River Basin.

“We are excited to adapt the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept for this critical, but often overlooked, North American watershed,” said Dr. Lindsay Pease, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota and lead project investigator. “This cross-border, multi-institutional project will allow us to work alongside growers in developing practical phosphorus management solutions that protect both the long-term sustainability of agriculture and our shared water resources.”

The project will also develop outreach programming and resources to communicate research findings and engage stakeholders to support the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program in the region.

In addition to the 4R Research Fund grant, $1.2 million has been leveraged in matching funds and infrastructure. The University of Minnesota will work with partners in the United States and Canada, including the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Manitoba Department of Agriculture, the University of Manitoba, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center, Sand County Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, North Dakota State University, and the University of Waterloo.

The Fertilizer Institute, in cooperation with Fertilizer Canada, established the 4R Research Fund through the Foundation for Agronomic Research in 2013 to address U.S. and Canadian knowledge gaps in nutrient management. Since then, in the Untied States, the industry has invested $9.2 million into projects while leveraging $10 million in other funding to support 4R research. More information is available at 4Rresearch.org.

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TFI is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

The Fertilizer Institute Partners with EPA, USDA to Advance Next Generation Fertilizer Development and Use

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2020 – Today, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in launching the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, which aims to accelerate the development of innovative fertilizer product technologies and to increase the use of existing enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) that maintain or increase crop yields and reduce environmental impacts to air, land, and water.

“Today’s fertilizer industry is built upon decades of innovation that have led us to a modern and efficient supply chain that has helped farmers increase yields while fine tuning their fertilizer use,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “However, there is always improvement to be made, which is why we are excited to partner with the federal government and others in this challenge to spur the industry’s creativity in finding sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s fertilizer industry.”

Fertilizers facilitate the growth of crops at yields that provide sustained global food production. However, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers applied without consideration of the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (source, rate, time, and place) can have harmful effects on environment and human health. EEF and other new product technologies and formulations control fertilizer release or alter reactions that can increase nutrient uptake by the plant and reduce nutrient losses to the environment. EEFs and other related technologies can be an important addition to a conservation practice system that helps reduce row crop agriculture impacts on the environment, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity and profitability.

The EEF Partnership and Competition includes two challenges. The EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge and the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovation Challenge. Submission details are available on the EPA website and winners will be announced in December 2020 (Existing EEFs) and February 2020 (Next Gen Fertilizer Innovation).

  • EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge: This challenge aims to identify existing EEFs currently on or near-market that meet or exceed certain environmental and agro-economic criteria. Submissions are due October 30, 2020.
  • Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge: This challenge aims to identify concepts for novel technologies for fertilizers that can reduce the environmental effects from modern agriculture while maintaining or increasing crop yields. Submissions to the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge are not near-market and may include EEFs and other product technologies used with or in combination with commercial fertilizers. Submissions are due November 30, 2020.

Winners of the EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge will receive scientific evaluation and recognition from EPA, USDA, and other partners and participants; advancement to a greenhouse trial; and, pending greenhouse trial results and available funds, advancement to field trials.

Winners of the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge will receive a minimum award of $10,000 per winner from a total prize purse of $40,000 and be invited to a showcasing event, where winners of both challenges will share ideas and spark innovation.

An informational webinar is scheduled for September 24, 2020. Registration details are available on the EPA website.

EPA and USDA are working in collaboration with TFI, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The challenges were developed with input from stakeholders such as corn grower representatives, fertilizer companies, university researchers, and environmental and industry NGOs.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

Yara’s Incubator Farms Demonstrate Ongoing Quest for Knowledge

This post is part of a series highlighting work across the fertilizer industry as featured in TFI’s State of the Fertilizer Industry Report. Visit http://www.fertilizerreport.org to learn more.

 

Yara is a global crop nutrition company that has been selling products and solutions since 1905 and employs more than 17,000 workers worldwide. The company places a heavy focus on increasing knowledge in crop nutrition and environmental solutions. One way it does that is by investing to find real-world solutions to crop nutrition needs.

To support this mission, the company established the Yara Incubator Farms in Auburn, Alabama; Modesto, California; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as a place to explore, evolve, refine and share knowledge. Field-scale soil fertility and crop nutrient management research will be done at the combined 240-acre farms in collaboration with partners, customers, and various technology providers.

The incubator farms enable Yara and its partners to gather data and intimate knowledge of every aspect of the cropping system over the years. The Auburn farm, established in partnership with Auburn University, is currently growing corn, cotton, and soybeans on 80 acres, 60 of which are irrigated. The Modesto farm has 40 acres of fertigated and established almonds, and 40 acres of irrigated and established walnuts. The 80-acre Saskatoon farm will be established in 2020 near the Ag In Motion site and focus on the common rotational dryland crops wheat, canola, and pulses.

Toby Goodroad, market development director for Yara North America, says that Yara’s investment in incubator farms and supporting research demonstrates the commitment Yara has to growers and dealer customers.

“These farms are used to generate new knowledge, to try to understand the cropping system as a whole and provide our commercial teams agronomic arguments to try to change things or benefit the industry,” Goodroad said. “We have a little over 800 agronomists on the ground globally working with farmers, working with dealers, trying to provide solutions.”

Goodroad added that their agronomists are always hungry for information and to be trained on the latest science as they are the technical expert of Yara’s fertilizer products. Their collective knowledge helps Yara create trust in the marketplace and bring proper solutions for farmers around the globe.

“I think knowledge is key. We want to sell the right products because at the end of the day, farmers and dealers expect results,” said Goodroad.

The research done on these fields aim to improve nutrient and water use efficiency. Using 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles combined with cultural practices and proper water management, Yara intends to find areas where improvements can be made.

“How can we continuously feed fertility through the season, versus big shots only a few times a year?” Goodroad asked, referring to their research. “How do we keep nutrients and water in the root zone where the crop can access it?” Regarding fertigation he said, “That all comes back to water again, but it also comes back to your ability to manage the fertility going into the irrigation system.” 

Goodroad says “Yara wants to help improve the sustainability of the farmer. And the incubator farms can provide some clear answers on how to advise farmers to do things in the most sustainable way.”

“We’re a small voice at the end of the day, but we need to work together and build trust. It’s not all about sales, but it’s all about being here for the next several centuries.”

4R Research Fund – Industry and Academia Partner to Fill Knowledge Gaps

This post is part of a series highlighting work across the fertilizer industry as featured in TFI’s State of the Fertilizer Industry Report. Visit www.fertilizerreport.org to learn more.

 

The concept of 4R Nutrient Stewardship has been used in some form in U.S. agriculture for at least 75 years. And while it has served farmers well over the years, knowledge gaps emerged as agriculture has gotten more precise with the advancement of technology. There is also a lack in understanding the impact of practices and technologies on the environment and crop yields. The fertilizer industry invested in the 4R Research Fund in 2013 to fill these knowledge gaps. To date, the industry has invested more than $8 million in research, which has been leveraged by another $8.8 million from outside sources.

Research based on the source, rate, timing, and placement of fertilizer isn’t new, but through the 4R Research Fund, the research community has come together to solve specific challenges impacting an industry and their farmer customers.

Matt Helmers, professor at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, has led 4R Research Fund projects since 2014. His team manages water quality research sites throughout Iowa. They work with farmers, stakeholders, and Extension specialists across the region to examine ways to increase adoption of conservation practices and provide opportunities for people to learn more about these practices.

Helmers and his team are using eight drainage water quality research facilities in the Upper Midwest to examine the impacts of 4R nitrogen management on crop yield, greenhouse gas emissions, drainage water quality, and soil health.

This project, called Nutri-Net, is a prime example of how a knowledge gap identified by the industry is being met by the academic community. Speaking of the project, Helmers said, “I think [Nutri-Net] is a great example of needs that the industry identified working with the academic community to develop research projects that can immediately answer some of those questions.”

The Nutri-Net project was born from the 4R Fund Technical Advisory Committee’s review of the first round of funding, and it became apparent that there were limited studies looking at nitrate leaching, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop yield. The committee, knowing there were multiple water quality drainage research facilities across the Midwest, posed the question of what could be studied.

“The industry engaged the academic community, and said, ‘Can you help us address some of these research gaps?’” Helmers said. “So, the academic community came together, looked at the facilities that we have and what type of research project could we put together in a comprehensive way to help address some of these questions.”

The academic community in the Midwest developed a project proposal for Nutri-Net, which ultimately received funding from the 4R Research Fund and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

“I don’t think that if the academic community had just sat in a room and discussed issues we want to address that we have as comprehensive a project as we have now,” Helmers said. “Nutri-Net is addressing the needs of the industry, looking at the metrics we need to collect, looking at the type of treatments that we need to have done. And the results we have are directly applicable to producers throughout the Midwest. By having that partnership, we were able to develop a research project that fills the gaps and will provide important information for growers throughout the Midwest.”

The results from this type of research, combined with continued progress in precision agriculture that aligns with 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles, provides unlimited potential to improve soil and crop performance.

“I think the, 4R Research Fund has really provided important resources to help address important challenges that are being faced by producers throughout the Midwest and really across the nation and Canada,” Helmers added. “I think this has been a great opportunity for many researchers to be involved with projects that are directly relevant to producers.”

Foundation for Agronomic Research Names John D. Jones Director

Washington, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute today announced the selection of John D. Jones as the Director of the Foundation for Agronomic Research.  Jones will provide oversight of the 4R Research Fund, coordinate a 4R Researcher network, and support other strategies to advance 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4R Research Fund is a science-based research initiative aimed at improving agricultural sustainability by expanding knowledge of the 4Rs. The Fund is supported by the fertilizer industry and other stakeholders.

“John Jones brings a unique breadth of experience to the Foundation for Agronomic Research,” said TFI Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody. “Having served as the primary agronomic advisor for a yield contest winning soybean farmer in Kansas to conducting instrumental research for understanding soil and phosphorus loss in Iowa and advocating for science policy that supports agricultural research on the local, state, and national level, John is uniquely-qualified to lead FAR.”

Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy & Environmental Science from Kansas State University, and a Masters’ Degree in Soil Science-Soil Fertility from Iowa State University (ISU).  At present, he is finishing his PhD in Soil Fertility and Sustainable Agriculture at ISU. He is a winner of the 2019 American Society of Agronomy Future Leaders in Science Award from the Tri-societies and a recipient of the 2018 Robert A. Sloan Award in Sustainable Agriculture from ISU. He has extensive agricultural retail experience organizing and leading on-farm research grower networks and implementing progressive agronomic practices that highlight profitability and input efficiency.

“John’s research, teaching, and industry experiences reflect the very scientific framework in which 4R nutrient stewardship is grounded,” said Moody. “He is adept in leveraging multiple sources of funding, coordinating multiple researchers and staff members, and strategically planning future research program directions and will be an asset to our nutrient stewardship efforts.”

TFI’s advocacy efforts during the last session of Congress resulted in identification of the 4Rs as a priority research area within the 2018 Farm Bill. This landmark legislation influences the United States Department of Agriculture’s research expenditures including National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant funds and the Agricultural Research Service research efforts.

The 4R Fund  most recently awarded nearly $2.7 million to five research efforts in California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas and the South (Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas) to projects focused on almonds, vegetables, tart cherry, potatoes, wheat, corn and corn silage, alfalfa, cotton, rice, and soybean. Those funds were leveraged with $3.2 million from multiple stakeholders to total $5.9 million in research.