The Bernard Eden family farm is the only farm in Houston County to be recognized as a Century Farm in 2022. The family’s homestead is located across the road from the first tee at the La Crescent Pine Creek Golf Course in scenic Pine Creek valley. The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau sponsor the Minnesota Century Farm Program. Each year the two organizations … [Read more...]
DriftWatch-CropCheck for Minnesota crop producers
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties The DriftWatch-CropCheck programs provide a means for crop producers to communicate information about their crop locations and herbicide sensitivity to pesticide applicators. This is done by posting their locations on DriftWatch/FieldWatch, an online map. The field … [Read more...]
Properly planting trees
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Trees provide many things for our communities; beauty, energy conservation, reduction of soil erosion, filtering air pollutants, raising of property values, a home for wildlife and so much more. Trees are an integral part of our home landscapes, neighborhoods and … [Read more...]
Houston County 4-H Junior Horse Quiz Bowl team places third
The Houston County 4-H Junior Horse quiz bowl team participated at the state quiz bowl competition on Saturday April 9, 2022, in Sauk Rapids, Minn. The team members were: Elliot Plzak, Paislee Linn, Elese Plzak, Alyson Kruckow and Owen Ranzenberger. They worked very hard this season and placed third out of eight teams in the state competition. Photo by Owen … [Read more...]
NASS 2021 yield estimates for Fillmore and Houston Counties
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties As I return to Southeast Minnesota, I wanted to dig into the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates. 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 … [Read more...]
Investigating whether soil health systems improve field workability and quality of life
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Timing is everything for farmers working in Minnesota’s short growing season. Getting into the field during a window of good weather to plant, spray, or harvest can make the difference between profitability and loss. It can also mean the difference between a frantic, … [Read more...]
New Extension educator – Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore & Houston counties
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Caledonia, MN, March 8, 2022 — Hello! My name is Katie Drewitz, and I am your new local Extension educator for Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore and Houston counties. My first day was March 7, 2022. I will be splitting my time equally between the two counties and can be reached by calling Extension in either … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% with … [Read more...]
Funds available to update livestock operations Apply by April 5 for the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their livestock operation are encouraged to apply for an additional round of the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $443,000 using a competitive review process in this round. … [Read more...]
Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! focused on weed management
ST. PAUL, MN, February 2, 2022 — Controlling weeds in crop production is challenging as herbicide resistance increases and effective herbicides become more limited. “Weed management is all about fundamentals,” explained Dr. Tom Peters, Extension sugarbeet agronomist and weed scientist at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University. Those fundamentals … [Read more...]