Episode
New Crops for a New World with Matt Leavitt
- Podcast
- Minnesota CropCast
- Published
- Mar 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2204
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/7ba9b5a6
Actions
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Summary
This week, we are thrilled to feature Agronomist Matt Leavitt. Matt’s work focuses on integrating new crops that provide broad ecosystem services to our landscapes while helping to diversify and de-risk the economic portfolios of Minnesota crop producers. Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Matt completed his graduate work right here in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics with Craig Sheaffer and Don Wyse. Currently, Matt serves as the Perennial Grains and Winter Annuals Agronomy Specialist for the Department and the Forever Green Initiative (FGI). In this episode, Matt dives into the most established crops in the FGI portfolio, including Kernza, Camelina, Winter barley, and Hybrid Winter Rye. He shares his experience working one-on-one with farmers to identify alternative crop species that fit their unique operations, maximizing ecological and economic benefits while reducing overall risk. Beyond the field, Matt also writes extension publications for producers and lectures at winter meetings and summer field days. Please join David and Seth for another fun and fascinating episode of the Minnesota CropCast! For more information on the Forever Green Initiative and new value-added crops, visit: https://forevergreen.umn.edu