A new perspective is coming to the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council (MWRPC) Board of Directors.  

Glenn Hjelle, a wheat, corn and soybean farmer from Barrett, Minn., joined the board in July, replacing retiring Director Scott Swenson. 

The longtime farmer arrives with industry experience and a passion for conservation.  

“I have farmed with my family for many years,” Hjelle said. “We farm about one-third of our land for each crop. We have slowly been transitioning to 100 percent no-till with cover crops over the last 10 years.” 

Hjelle also has pollinator habitats spread across 150 acres called “prairie strips” along ditches and roads. It is a conservation practice that protects soil and water and provides a habitat for wildlife.  

Before joining the MWRPC board, Hjelle volunteered for several organizations, including Farm Bureau, his local cooperative oil board, church council, the Sustainable Farming Association, Land Stewardship Project and Minnesota Soil Health Coalition. 

Hjelle’s journey to becoming MWPRC’s Area 2 director started 12 years ago when he took on his first farm research project.  

“A statewide study of profitability of minimum till or no-till cover crops versus conventional tillage is what my projects have been about,” Hjelle said. “We also take part in disease and weed management.” 

Hjelle, who is very passionate about the agriculture industry, especially wheat, says he is excited about being on the board.  

“I want my voice to be heard from my past experiences,” Hjelle said. “It is also important to promote the On-Farm Research projects.” 

Funded by the Minnesota Wheat checkoff and crop research grants for more than a decade, the On-Farm Research Network conducts producer-funded, producer-driven research that investigates research topics in a large plot environment.  

“It is very valuable to do research projects,” Hjelle said. “I am proud to do research on my own fields because it is really rewarding. The colleges do research, but it is also important to do local research.”  

Hjelle said he was one of many Minnesota producers who endured a rough, soggy planting season. By summertime, his prospects for a bountifulharvest were brightening.  

“Our crops are straightening out here,” Hjelle said. “We had a really tough start because we were wet and then we got another rain so that did not help. 30% of our corn crop is not in the ground.” 

The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG) and MWRPC are actively planning a strategy to address the evolving needs of wheat producers in the state.  

“There has been a decline in [acreage] the last few years,” Hjelle said. “A lot more people are planting wheat this year because of how wet it has been. I do not think people realize how good it is for rotation. We need support from the government and the checkoff to keep improving. If you are a grower, it is important to support the Farm Bill. It is hard to convince people to rotate in wheat because it does not pencil up for everyone.” 

Although Hjelle has not been to a meeting as a board member yet, he recently sat in on one and is eager about what’s on the horizon.  

“I am looking forward to having input on situations,” Hjelle said. “I am in the middle of the state compared to most of the farmers that are farther north. The growing conditions up north are different than other parts of the state. We need to work towards making wheat profitable because it is a great source of protein per acre.” 

Hjelle has previously enjoyed attending MWPRC and MAWG events, such as the Prairie Grains Conference and Small Grains Update. 

“They are great conferences to attend,” Hjelle said. “I have been attending them even before I joined the board. I usually go in and read all the research papers a day early to see how projects went. It is also very important to network with people at the event.”  

Hjelle shared his excitement about the new role and shared a motto that he lives by: “We are passing on our land and knowledge to the next generation and we need to take care of it, while also having a voice in the industry.” 

Members of the MWRPC board of directors say they are looking forward to having Glenn join the team and direct wheat checkoff funds 

“He attended a meeting already that he did not have to be at and is highly recommended,” MWRPC director Tim Dufault said. “He has a very high interest level and will be a great addition.”