Northwest
Regional Sustainable
Development Partnership
The Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership facilitates the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of the region by encouraging citizen-driven ideas through coordinating, funding, and leveraging the resources of the University of Minnesota and other partners. If you have questions completing the form, please contact NW RSDP
Executive Director, Linda Kingery, kinge002@umn.edu
, 218-281-8697.
Applicant Information:
Date: Nov 12, 2012
Name: Jeff Beckman
Organization: Farm Bureau Foundation
Mailing
Address:
Telephone:
3090 Eagandale Place, Eagan, MN 55121 – http://www.fbmn.org
507.298.0191
Email: jtfarm@frontiernet
Project Information:
Sustainable Focus Area(s) - mark all that apply:
Food & Agriculture x Energy Natural Resources Communities
What is the main need, concern or opportunity you would like to address?
Tourism
Engaging consumers in farming through the Ag Cab Lab Experience, where children of all ages climb into a full-scale Case tractor to “drive it” via a simulation provides a perspective on farming practices is a part of the outreach efforts of the MN Farm Bureau.
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Although the Ag Cab Lab simulation software has been tested by over 400,000 people in the past few years at places such as the Miracle of Birth Center at the MN State Fair, the Minnesota Zoo, and the
Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, our concern and aim is to initiate more focus on healthy foods and nutrition which is commensurate with the RSDP and the UMN Extension programs.
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Ag Cab Lab Brochure: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18661547/ag%20cab%20lab%20brochure%202012.pdf
What do you wish to accomplish? How will you measure success?
During the summer months of 2012, MN Farm Bureau contracted Dr. David DeMuth and his students in a pilot project ($10,000) to further the development of the Ag Cab Lab software systems which proved worth-while. Further development is desired to add specific features to the two-minute driving experience that will include an understanding of plowing, seeding, and harvesting corn and potential soybean. We hope to be successful at implementing these improvements alongside a new focus on healthy foods through additional investments by the MN Farm Bureau and RSDP support. Our goal is to develop and implement resources into our systems which are similar to: http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/myplate_halfplateposter.pdf
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How will this proposed project help sustain the community, environment, and economy in Northwest
Minnesota? Clearly articulate the public purpose or public benefit of this idea.

Northwest
Regional Sustainable
Development Partnership
Too many children suffer from obesity, which is in part due to eating the wrong foods. Because of the large number of youngsters that we reach with the Ag Cab Labs, and that we have proven this as an effective ice-breaker at getting them involved, we can be effective at influencing a positive attitude towards healthy foods by imbedding education materials within our project.
As it is typical for long lines to form in front of our Ag Cab Lab, providing a touch-screen computer with additional education materials and games focused on nutrition is a secondary part of the project; a sophisticated kiosk system was developed by Dr. DeMuth’s students and can be readily adapted to our project without large monetary investments.
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Who will be affected by this project and how will you engage them?
Recently an Ag Cab Lab was deployed at the Headwaters Science Museum in Bemidji, whose proximity to the Crookston campus allows a more readily available testing location. So it is those visitors, the majority of which are youngsters, who will first be affected. However several upcoming meetings are scheduled for MN Farm Bureau partners where these systems will be demonstrated. In March 2013, we will deliver an installation at the Children’s Museum in Rochester, MN (a branch of the St. Paul
Museum). During 2013 a busy state-wide schedule is in place for three Ag Cab Labs, with a fourth being located in Crookston, and would be made available at county fairs next summer.
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Who are your potential partners in implementing this idea, and what might their roles be?
Dr. DeMuth, Jarrod Lanctot, Lucan Sorenson would be the principles behind the software development,
John Boucha assisting with kiosk work, and Kelly Nelson and Amanda Fickes with education games. A curriculum developer at Valley City State University will also be utilized for education materials and we hope that MN Extension personnel can be identified to assist.
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How might the Northwest Partnership and University of Minnesota help? (examples: applied research, data analysis, education, training, group facilitation through student intern(s), faculty members,
Extension staff, etc.)
One of the key needs in the near term is connecting information about healthy food and healthy eating choices to the experience in the simulator. Linda Kingery has been influential with ensuring synergies among this project’s stakeholders.
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What financial resources are needed? How will they be used?
The UMN has vast resources and experience with education and outreach, believing that materials previously developed could be adapted for the Ag Cab Lab project. Our request for $5000 would provide funding for simulation software, education materials, and kiosk development, complementing our own investments of $20,000.
All projects approved by NW RSDP must acknowledge the support in printed or electronic communication/promotional materials by stating, “Made possible with support from University of Minnesota Extension Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.”
University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.