By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Spring is officially here! With springtime here our farmers are busy getting their crops in the ground. This means we will be seeing more farm equipment on the road. Tractors and large field equipment are often involved in farm accidents, injuries, and deaths and everyone on the road needs to do our part to avoid this. … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates for 2022 have been posted. Looking at this data is an opportunity to assess yield trends in the counties to better understand yield potential. Today’s article will focus on corn and soybeans, but NASS also has estimated yields for a variety of other crops across … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension The official start of Spring will be here before we know it! While we wait you may consider starting a few seeds indoors. Starting garden flower and vegetable plants in the home can provide the home gardener with enjoyment as well as some definite advantages. One of the greatest of these advantages is that it allows the … [Read more...]

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The program provides funding to help processors add value to Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added … [Read more...]

University of Minnesota Extension By mid-February perhaps you are looking to spend a little more time outdoors. There are a few tasks you can focus on to help get you ready for spring, including pruning your trees. An old rule of thumb was to prune in winter while the plant was dormant. For best results, we need to be a bit more specific than that, but it’s a start. When to … [Read more...]

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The SCBGP funds projects that will increase the competitiveness of Minnesota grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets by: •Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; •Assisting producers with research … [Read more...]

Minnesota families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are invited to apply for the 2023 Century Farm Program. Produced by the Minnesota State Fair in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the Century Farm Program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state. More than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been honored … [Read more...]

January 31, 2023 – Free soil-health workshops once again are being planned in February along Interstate 90 and U.S. Hwy. 14, including a workshop in Stewartville co-hosted by Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. Partnering organizations are offering the 2023 I-90 & Hwy. 14 tour for CLASIC (Crop, Livestock and Soil Innovation Conferences) throughout the month of … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension January can be a hard month for many people with the dark mornings, cold weather and persistent cloud cover. Houseplants are a great way to liven up your home or office, especially in the winter. In order to keep your houseplants healthy and long lasting it is important to know how to properly care for them and the … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Pull up a chair and join in or bring the conversation with you as you go about your day. Whatever works best for you, join us this winter to discuss some of the key issues and questions around commodity crop production facing Minnesota farmers today through the “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops” webinar series. This … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. According to our survey results, 2022 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged $218.16/acre with a range of $57-$425/acre. The weighted average was $226.42/acre and the mode (most commonly reported) was $200/acre. In Houston County the rent … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension As we gathered with family and friends last week to give thanks for our many blessings, some of our minds likely wandered to decorating for Christmas. While I personally wait to put up any Christmas decorations until December, I want to provide you with information for finding the perfect Christmas tree before you embark on … [Read more...]