By Mari Hardel Minnesota Department of Agriculture A shocking number of weed seedlings popped up the first spring of my new garden. If you’re planning a garden or landscaping project, consider how the materials you use could bring in invasive species – weeds, seeds, and unwanted pests. Compost can be a huge help to your garden, but the material can also introduce weeds. … [Read more...]
U of M Extension to host Beef Calving Essentials Webinar Series
The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to host a six part webinar series titled: Beef Calving Essentials Webinar Series. Upcoming Zoom meetings will be held on February 15, 18, 22, and 25 from 8-9 p.m. CST. The series will focus on different considerations to prepare for calving on beef cattle operations. Farmers, 4-H’ers, ag business professionals who work with … [Read more...]
Minnesota Ag in the classroom creates resources for in-person, hybrid and online learners
ST. PAUL, MN – As teachers and students adjust to new ways of learning in 2021, Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is responding to changing needs for K-12 education with the launch of Minnesota AgMag’s new stand-alone website. Long available to kindergarten through sixth grade students as a print publication, Minnesota AgMag now shares the story of agriculture … [Read more...]
Thank you for celebrating 100 years of Houston County 4-H!
Although COVID has taken up much of the last year, it didn’t stop Houston County 4-H from celebrating our 100-year anniversary! We began the new 4-H year (October 1, 2019) with a new event: a Fall Festival at the Fairgrounds! It was a lot of fun and very well attended! Then we had a survey contest and the top three winning clubs (Wilmington Gophers, Sheldon Spartans and the … [Read more...]
Online beef quality assurance and secure beef supply training scheduled
SLAYTON, MN., January 21, 2021 — University of Minnesota Extension, along with Minnesota Beef Council, will host several online Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) training sessions starting in February through April. Producers only need to attend one of these free workshops to receive a three-year BQA certification, and they will also learn the steps … [Read more...]
Soil health case studies share farmer experiences
GOODHUE, MN., JANUARY 11, 2021 – Farmers and landowners can learn about the soil health journeys of 10 Minnesota farmers in a new report, “Soil Health Case Studies Vol 3.” Jared Luhman, Soil Health Lead for the Sustainable Farming Association, visited 10 farms across southeast Minnesota and interviewed the farmers. He then used those conversations to develop case studies … [Read more...]
Sno Pac – organic before organic was cool
Fourth generation owner, Pete Gengler has been saying this now familiar motto for over 15 years about his family’s organic business, Sno Pac, located in Caledonia, Minn. Believing that organic farming with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers was better for the health of the consumers and was better stewardship of the land, Pete’s great-grandfather, J.P. (John Peter) Gengler … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Solar Farm applies for CUP
At the January 14 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, a public hearing was held to discuss the conditional use permit application for a large solar farm in Beaver Township. Due to COVID, many residents participated via Webex or phone. Some chose to participate in person. As this was the first meeting of the year, officer elections were the first order of … [Read more...]
Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council seeks farmers for input survey
Growers who complete survey eligible for $500 gift card MANKATO, MN – As farmers make their preparations for the 2021 growing season, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is encouraging the state’s nearly 28,000 soybean growers to participate in a survey to help farmer-leaders and researchers better address the diverse production challenges facing growers … [Read more...]
Tax break available for beginning farmers
Tax credit available for land, equipment expenses to start farming ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority is now accepting applications for a tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery, and livestock in Minnesota by beginning farmers. To qualify, the applicant must be a Minnesota resident with the desire to … [Read more...]