Refine protocol for a scale-up requiring up to 10,000 acres per year. Expand public meetings to encourage increased landowner interest and opportunities for future expansion. Demonstrate viable alternatives for land in the soon to be expired Conservation Reserve Program. The MN Extension Service, the Cooperative Development Service, the Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute are providing invaluable technical and planning assistance. The formation of a growers association is very likely.
Project sponsors continue to work toward commercialization of hybrid poplar plantings.
Planning is now in progress to invite private industry to take an active role in the planting of hybrid poplar plantations to help meet their resource demands. Several companies have indicated an interest to becoming partners to plant hybrid poplar. A consortium of people directly involved with hybrid poplar commercialization and research was recently formed to improve communications and maintain continuity in Minnesota. WesMin is directly involved in research efforts focused on herbicide trials, plastic mulch, and genetic trials. Additional research activities led by the University of Minnesota and the Natural Resources Research Institute relate to small mammal and soil resource studies.