Sustainability Opportunities in Agricultural Research (SOAR)

Sustainability Opportunities in Agricultural Research (SOAR)
Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)

Conduct Research on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Minnesota in summer 2025!

The University of Minnesota is proud to support a USDA-REEU summer research program emphasizing sustainable agriculture and food systems on our campus that started the summer of 2022. This 10-week paid program includes mentored food systems, soil, and horticultural research, professional development activities, career exploration, extracurricular events, and field trips to food justice and sustainability organizations. The program is open to undergraduate students either majoring in a STEM or agricultural science field, or those with a passion for plant science, food, and farming with significant science coursework in their program. Underrepresented and multicultural students are strongly encouraged to apply for this diversity-enhancement program. 

Application dates: November 15, 2024 - February 15, 2025
Program dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025

Visit the SOAR-REEU website and student blog for more information and application.

​MAKE YOUR SUMMER MEANINGFUL

• Become a member of an active research lab to conduct cutting-edge food systems, plant, and soil science research
• Visit farms, food-justice organizations, and research projects in the vibrant Twin Cities region
• Engage with top-notch researchers, innovative farmers, and industry representatives
• Craft your future career through weekly seminars focusing on your professional development
• 10-week paid research opportunity
  • • Stipend: $5,000
    • On campus housing and food provided
    • Allowance for travel

​RESEARCH PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE

• Plant and entomology production challenges in horticultural crops
• Soil health in organic vegetable systems
• Soil health in cropping systems
• Potato genetics, genomics, and breeding
• Wild rice breeding, genetics, and conservation
• Cold climate grape breeding
• Fruit breeding
• Ecology and epidemiology of soil fungi
• Specialty perennial horticultural crops in Minnesota

WHO SHOULD APPLY

• All students are welcome to apply! 
  
• Students who have faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education and other educational opportunities, or are under-represented in the sciences are encouraged to apply.
  
• Undergraduates with a background in science and a passion for food systems research
  
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency required