How does RIM-CE open up new markets for farmers?
University of Minnesota research has shown that many native perennial species can be successfully grown on marginal agricultural land, opening up new markets for our farmers. Farmers are eager to respond to this new market, but are limited by agricultural policies and economics that currently favor corn, soybean and other commodity crop production over perennial grasses. RIM-CE targets non-prime farmlands with non-food bioenergy crops. Helping farmers begin producing perennial grasses requires some financial investment to mitigate their risk as they make the transition and try out new farming systems.
