MSU to Plant Red Clover Cover Crop in Support of Plum River Native Prairie Project

By Michael Linnell

Weather permitting, Minot State University will plant red clover as a cover crop on Tuesday, May 13, as part of the ongoing development of the Plum River Native Prairie at the former site of Erik Ramstad Middle School.

This initiative brings together environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and student-led research.

The red clover was recommended by Ruth De La Cruz of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, who has been mentoring Patrick Baker, an environmental chemistry major at Minot State, through the CIRCLES Alliance. Red clover holds traditional cultural and medicinal value and offers agricultural benefits such as soil improvement and nitrogen fixation — making it a fitting choice at this stage of the project.

“We’re excited to plant a crop that not only supports the soil but also holds cultural meaning and educational potential,” said Dan Conn, Minot State associate professor and chair of Education and Inclusive Services Department, and CIRCLES Alliance ND Primary Investigator. “The team plans to harvest the red clover and develop a lesson plan for STEM educators, providing teachers with tools to incorporate local environmental science into their classrooms.”

This phase of the project is made possible through support from the following partners:

• Souris Basin Planning Council: Supporting Patrick Baker’s daily work on the project
• Ward County Soil Conservation District: Providing ongoing technical and educational guidance
• Andrea (AJ) Limberger, USDA: Technical support and expertise
• Chandler Gruener and Emily How, NDSU Extension Office: Assisting with soil testing and educational resources
• Shon Naslund (Viterra) and Shane Naslund (Nufarm): Contributing planting equipment, agronomic expertise, and planting operations
• Audubon Great Plains and Minot Public Schools: Continuing collaboration in the development of the Plum River Native Prairie

The native prairie planting is scheduled for fall 2025, before the ground freezes.