The Supply Chain Objective team worked hard to develop “cradle-to-grave” supply chains and attract investments that would enable the commercial launch of pennycress as an oilseed crop. Intellectual property protection and licensing agreements are essential to attracting investments in supply chain elements and related businesses IPREFER researchers from UMN, ISU, and CoverCress, Inc. have obtained patents related to the pennycress traits of low erucic acid seed oil, high oleic acid seed oil, low glucosinolates, low seed meal fiber, reduced seedpod shatter, and early maturation. Licensing deals have been negotiated to permit CoverCress to commercialize elite pennycress varieties with these traits in the lower Midwest region. The University of Minnesota holds rights in the upper Midwest and is working to find commercial partners.

As IPREFER was funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant program (Grant No. 2019-69012-29851), any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Evaluate the capacity to supply pennycress seed oil and seed meal to industries in the upper and lower Midwest regions
• Optimize post-harvest pennycress seed processing and oil storage to ensure the sustained availability of quality seed across multiple end-use platforms
• Post-harvest pennycress seed handling and processing technology, pennycress oil processing and quality
• Pennycress oil stability and shelf life
• Conversion into biofuels
• Pennycress seed meal quality
• Develop tools that help farmers and industry adopt effective seed drying/storage protocols

Leadership

• Matt Luetje, M2L Ag Consulting

Collaborators and Graduate Students

• Alexandra Diemer, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Alan Doerning, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Riley Gordon, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Mitch Hunter, University of Minnesota, Forever Green Initiative
• Gregg Johnson, University of Minnesota
• Matthew Leiphon, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Michaela McGinn, Genetic & Regulatory Consultant
• Bill Perry, Illinois State University
• Kathryn Phillips, University of Minnesota (Graduate Student)
• Rob Rhykerd, Illinois State University
• John C. Sedbrook, Illinois State University
• Tim Smith, University of Minnesota
• Michael Sparby, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Harold Stanislawski, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Michael Stutelberg, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Jennifer Wagner-Lehr, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
• Samantha S. Wells, University of Minnesota
• Luca Zullo, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

2021 & 2023 Integrated Plant Systems – Undergraduate Research Experience

• Issac Goldman (2021) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• Caleb Mesick (2021) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• Riley Retzer (2023) Augustana University

Alumni

• Constance (Connie) Carlson, University of Minnesota (Market Development)
• Colin Cureton, University of Minnesota
• Chris Handel, CoverCress, Inc.
• Rod Larkins, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute