The Minnesota Long Term Agricultural Research Network (LTARN) is a novel platform for research and education that emphasizes resilient agricultural production based on cropping system diversification strategies in a unified network approach. The results produced by LTARN will be used to inform producers, consumers, businesses and policy makers, serving as a legacy of long term spatial and temporal observations for future generations.
Project proposals are reviewed biannually. Regular deadlines for proposal submission include May 31 and November 30.
To submit a project proposal, please review the procedure as described below. See the Authorship and Data Sharing documents for more information on LTARN policy. Please email [email protected] to initiate the project proposal process.
For guidance related to personnel safety while in the field see the Field Research Safety webpage available through the UMN Health, Safety, and Risk Management (HSRM).
Project Proposal Procedure
- The Principal Investigator / Project Leader discusses their project idea with the LTARN Research Coordinator (contact [email protected]).
- If the project idea is deemed to fit within the LTARN mission, the project leader will be invited to fill out and submit the Crop Research Plot Request Form (see Sidebar links) selecting LTARN as the preferred location.
- The LTARN Executive Committee will review the proposal, discuss any necessary details, including the proposed project system(s) and treatment(s), with the Project Leader, LTARN Node Leads, and LTARN Personnel.
- If the project is approved, the LTARN Executive Committee will work with the Project Leader to schedule the project in the microplot schedule. Additional technical project support may be available upon request and will require a detailed project management plan and payment schedule that aligns with the ROC Plot Fee Guidelines.
- If any structures, fences, barriers, etc., are installed, they must be removed at the end of the research at the expense of the research grants of those responsible for the project.
- Informal communications will happen between the Project Leader or Project Contact and the on-site LTARN Personnel as the project is implemented and carried out.
- A Project Check-in Request Form will annually be sent to the Project Leader or Project Contact while the project is considered active
- Once the project the concludes, the Project Leader will fulfill any remaining requirements of the LTARN Data Sharing Policy (see Sidebar links)