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eco • agronomy: Applied research to help agriculture be - highly productive - ecologically sound - climate ready |
Agriculture is a science, an economic activity, a major land use, and a way of life. We expect a lot from agriculture, and depend on it in countless ways. Broadly speaking, I am interested in understanding where agriculture needs to go in the coming decades--ecologically, economically, and socially--and figuring out ways to get there. My research aims to improve cropping system productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the face of challenging climatic conditions.
I am currently a Post-Doctoral Associate in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. My work is focused on improving agronomic management of the world's first commercially-viable perennial grain crop, intermediate wheatgrass (also known as Kernza®). Specifically, I am interested in understanding how to manage intermediate wheatgrass as a dual-purpose forage and grain crop, which has the potential to both sustain Kernza® yields over time and provide a second income source for farmers. I am conducting this work with Drs. Craig Sheaffer and Jacob Jungers of the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab at the University of Minnesota, in collaboration with researchers at The Land Institute and beyond. Our work is part of the broader Forever Green Initiative at UMN.
I completed my PhD in Agronomy at Penn State with a minor in Ecology in May of 2018, working with Dr. David Mortensen (now at UNH) in the Weed and Applied Plant Ecology Lab. As an NSF Graduate Fellow, I led an analysis showing that food demand is not likely to double by 2050, and that urgent action is needed to meet environmental targets. I also used field experimentation and modeling to assess the potential for cover crops and soil improvement to mitigate drought stress in maize.
I believe in the power of collaborative learning and public engagement to inspire the next generation, build actionable knowledge, and contribute to improving agriculture and the environment. The best learning opportunities both clarify our values and give us the knowledge and skills to act on them. I enjoy learning with students, farmers, and fellow researchers in the classroom, the lab, and the field.
I draw inspiration for my research from time spent working on Hunter family farms in Minnesota and Illinois and on ranches in California and Nevada. Prior to coming to Penn State I was the Federal Policy Manager with American Farmland Trust in Washington, DC, where I worked to promote on-farm conservation in the federal Farm Bill. I received a B.A. in Government from Harvard University following two years of liberal arts study, self-governance, and student labor at Deep Springs College. I previously served on both the Board of Directors and the Science Policy Committee of the American Society of Agronomy.
I am currently a Post-Doctoral Associate in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. My work is focused on improving agronomic management of the world's first commercially-viable perennial grain crop, intermediate wheatgrass (also known as Kernza®). Specifically, I am interested in understanding how to manage intermediate wheatgrass as a dual-purpose forage and grain crop, which has the potential to both sustain Kernza® yields over time and provide a second income source for farmers. I am conducting this work with Drs. Craig Sheaffer and Jacob Jungers of the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab at the University of Minnesota, in collaboration with researchers at The Land Institute and beyond. Our work is part of the broader Forever Green Initiative at UMN.
I completed my PhD in Agronomy at Penn State with a minor in Ecology in May of 2018, working with Dr. David Mortensen (now at UNH) in the Weed and Applied Plant Ecology Lab. As an NSF Graduate Fellow, I led an analysis showing that food demand is not likely to double by 2050, and that urgent action is needed to meet environmental targets. I also used field experimentation and modeling to assess the potential for cover crops and soil improvement to mitigate drought stress in maize.
I believe in the power of collaborative learning and public engagement to inspire the next generation, build actionable knowledge, and contribute to improving agriculture and the environment. The best learning opportunities both clarify our values and give us the knowledge and skills to act on them. I enjoy learning with students, farmers, and fellow researchers in the classroom, the lab, and the field.
I draw inspiration for my research from time spent working on Hunter family farms in Minnesota and Illinois and on ranches in California and Nevada. Prior to coming to Penn State I was the Federal Policy Manager with American Farmland Trust in Washington, DC, where I worked to promote on-farm conservation in the federal Farm Bill. I received a B.A. in Government from Harvard University following two years of liberal arts study, self-governance, and student labor at Deep Springs College. I previously served on both the Board of Directors and the Science Policy Committee of the American Society of Agronomy.
Contact
Mitch Hunter, PhD
Post-Doctoral Associate
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
University of Minnesota
Email: mhunter@umn.edu
Twitter: @ecoagronomist
Post-Doctoral Associate
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
University of Minnesota
Email: mhunter@umn.edu
Twitter: @ecoagronomist
Additional photo credits:
Homepage aerial - Randy Kilmer
B/w panorama - Lou Saporito
© 2017 Mitchell C. Hunter
Homepage aerial - Randy Kilmer
B/w panorama - Lou Saporito
© 2017 Mitchell C. Hunter
