Contribute to our mission by donating to the Sand Plain Research Farm (SPRF). Your tax-deductible contribution will support our ongoing research initiatives. An easy online process allows you to make a new gift or pledge:
Support the Sand Plain Research Farm
SPRF Development Funding Opportunities
Key Funding Opportunities
Adopt-an-Irrigator
With more than 750,000 acres of irrigated cropland in MN, the irrigation infrastructure at the SPRF is instrumental in the relevant research that directly impacts the represented crops and producers farming on sandy soils. By adopting an irrigator you will provide the much needed financial support for maintenance, replacement and technology upgrades.
Community Education Opportunities
With SPRF's proximity to urban areas, it is situated to be a resource for field trips, community based research activities, and outreach events. By providing funding to support education opportunities, you will provide the financial resources to connect kids and adults to see firsthand where their food comes from an how it connects to their daily lives.
Precision Irrigation Infrastructure
Protecting our water resources if one of SPRF's top priorities. Investing in real-time soil moisture monitoring sensors that allows for water to be applied at the right time and amount, as well as fertigation infrastructure that allows precise timing and placement of nutrients and crop protection products, is highly impactful. Bringing that capability into the research portfolio will aid in resource conservation and stewardship.
SPRF: At a Glance
- 22 researchers with projects onsite
- 49 Research trials in 2025
- 345 Total acres for research and production
- 8 Irrigation systems (three lateral systems and five center pivot systems)
- 63.7 Million gallows on water pumped in 2024
- 24 Different crops grown
Invest in the SPRF to strengthen research outreach and local impact
The Sand Plains Research Farm is located on 416 acres in the hear of Minnesota on the Anoka Sand Plain. With the sandy soils and precision irrigation infrastructure, it is the primary location of potato, irrigation/water management, and agronomic research for low fertility or drought prone soils. Research focuses on many different agronomic and horticultural crops, mirroring the local cropping landscape grown by producers in the region.
Planned Giving
You can decide now to support SPRF in the future. Planned gifts may take the form of a simple bequest from a will or living trust, the designation of retirement plan assets, land, or life insurance.
We appreciate all of you who generously contribute to our projects and programs. If you have any questions about giving to SPRF or would like to set up a new fund or planned giving, please contact:
Ron Faber, Director of Operations
[email protected] | 612-626-8854
Echo Martin, Annual Giving and Development Operations Manager
[email protected] | 612-626-3045
If you prefer to mail in your gift, download and print the gift form for mailing.