Carlton County Extension Connection
March 2025
Carrying on a legacy.
The Century Farm and Sesquicentennial Farm programs honor the legacy of family farms in the state of Minnesota. Since its inception, over 11,000 family farms have received the Century Farm honor, while over 450 were honored with Sesquicentennial Farm recognition.
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation and the Minnesota State Fair work in conjunction to honor Minnesota families that have owned their farms for at least 100 years, are at least 50 acres in size and are currently involved in farming.
Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the president of the State Fair, president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the governor of Minnesota. For more information, email centuryfarms@mnstatefair.org or call 651-288-4400.
Please join us Thursday, March 6th from 1-3pm to learn about the fundamentals of pruning dormant apple trees in this hands-on workshop. We'll cover pruning techniques, decision-making, and best practices for tool care.
Bring your own tools, such as pruning shears, loppers, and hand saws, if you have them, and dress for the weather. Be prepared for a session of active learning.
We will meet at a private orchard in Barnum. You will receive the address after registering.
Audience: Commercial and hobby apple growers and enthusiasts
Cost: $10
Registration: You must register to receive the location for this event.
This is a three part class which includes a hands-on workbook: March 12, 19, and 26
Are you new to marketing directly to customers or looking to refresh your approach?
Whether you are a farmer selling quarters of beef or a vegetable vendor at a Saturday farmers market, this course is for you. Learn the basics of how to assess your market, pricing, and promotions for maximum effect and apply your knowledge independently in a hands-on workbook.
This free course will meet weekly for one-hour via zoom from 6-7 PM. All are welcome to join.
Free register online: https://z.umn.edu/direct-to-customer
Presented by: Barbara Ronningen of the NorthStar Lily Society
This presentation will explore various aspects of lilies, including the different divisions of Lilium, best practices for growing them and their requirements, common pests and diseases that affect them, and ways to incorporate lilies into landscape designs.
Barbara Ronningen has grown lilies in her Afton garden for about 40 years. Starting with an
Asiatic collection, then expanding to martagons, Orientals, interdivisional hybrids and trumpets.
She has started both martagons and trumpet hybrids from seed.
Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 6-7:30 pm
Carlton County Transportation Bldg., 1630 County Rd. 61, Carlton
$10 payable at the door. Admission includes: hand-outs and refreshments and a take home lily bulb.
Please call 218-384-8684 or email rustx048@umnedu to register.
The April 17th class will feature a rescheduled presentation on "Environmentally responsible lawn care." More details will be posted in the next newsletter.
Author: Gary Wyatt, Extension agroforestry educator
Some maple syrup producers might be concerned about winter warm-ups and sap flowing early. Most large producers in northern Minnesota base their schedules on the calendar— tap in February to be ready by March 1. Producers in the Twin Cities or farther south can be 10 days to two weeks ahead of that schedule.
It is possible that the trees will drip with an early warm-up, but the first thaw is almost always a teaser. History says our sap runs happen between March 15 and April 15. Plenty of time for us to still get some real snow and cold.
The large commercial maple syrup operations will likely wait to tap the majority of their trees. The hobbyist with less than 10 trees to tap may consider tapping during a warm-up, but it may be a short sap run.
Sap begins running when the temperature is mild or above freezing during the day and freezing at night, but it’s a small window. If temperatures drop below freezing during the day, the sap will stop running. If it’s too warm during the day (above 55 F) and temperatures remain above freezing at night, the sap dries up.
We recommend making only one tap per tree. If you decide to tap now during this likely short sap run, try tapping a different tree later in the season.
Learn more about making maple syrup.
The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to bring back the online Wildlife Webinar Series this spring! This year’s series will explore how forestry management impacts wildlife habitats, economic decisions, and climate resilience.
Forests play a critical role in supporting Minnesota’s diverse wildlife, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds at every stage of succession—early, mid, or late.
Managing your forest involves balancing wildlife habitat needs, long-term economic goals, and strategies for adapting to a changing climate. With approximately 18 million acres of forest covering one-third of Minnesota’s land area, these decisions are vital for the health of our ecosystems and the species they support.
Join us to learn how to identify the stage of your forest, discover which wildlife thrive in each stage, and explore management strategies that create resilient habitats while meeting economic and environmental goals.
Please join us for sessions from 12-1pm, Wednesdays in April (2, 9, and 16). This event is free, but preregistration is required. To register, please follow the link to each corresponding stage. You can register for all or pick and choose what is applicable to you!
z.umn.edu/EarlyForests4Wildlife
z.umn.edu/LateForests4Wildlife
"When we promote the health and diversity of trees in a forest, we also foster the health and diversity of wildlife. By being active stewards of our forests, we are supporting the many species of wildlife that call these forests home. Implementing stewardship practices that improve forest health and resilience is essential for wildlife management." - Anna Stockstad, Extension Educator, Forest Ecosystem Health
Central Minnesota Cattlemen's in partnership with Carlton SWCD, Big Sandy Area Lakes Watershed Management Program, and Extension are hosting a special meeting on Thursday, March 13th at 6 p.m.
This event is open to whomever is interested, you don't need to be a member of Central Cattlemen's to attend.
Location: Fireside Inn 415 Meadow Dr, McGregor, MN 55760
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Gib Mouser speaks on Anaplasmosis in beef cattle
Anaplasmosis has become more prevalent in the past decade in northern MN due to increased tick populations and constant movement of cattle throughout the country. Asymptomatic carriers and varying symptoms make the disease difficult to identify and control. Understanding the disease transmission and prevention of infection are key to reducing risk in beef herds.
Dr. Mouser has had 25 years of exclusively large animal practice in Wisconsin dairies, a west-central Minnesota horse practice, and is currently providing beef cow/calf and horse services throughout northern Minnesota. In addition to veterinary work, he is farming 250 acres in Beltrami County and has a registered Hereford cattle operation.
Other speakers include:
Ryan Clark, MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program, NE Area Certification Specialist: Learn how the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Program can help implement best practices to bolster pasture productivity, livestock health, and water quality.
Dr. Melissa Minkkinen is a large animal veterinarian in NE Minnesota.
No registration is necessary, we hope to see you there!
A rain garden is a small basin of colorful native plants that add beauty to your yard while collecting stormwater runoff from your roof, lawn and driveway. They also benefit our bees, birds, and butterflies!
This FREE workshop will cover step-by-step instructions to help you successfully install a raingarden, from selecting a site to learning about raingarden specific plants and how they benefit our pollinators and water quality!
Funds are available to help offset the cost of plants, compost, mulch, edging and other materials.
Tuesday February 25th, 2025
6:00-7:00 pm
Carlton County Transportation Department Building
1630 County Road 61
Carlton, MN 55718
Cost: FREE, registration requested.
Call the Carlton SWCD office at:
Phone: 218.384.3891 ext. 7
Online at: carltonswcd.org/events
Ready to grow? Dig into the MSHS archives of pre-recorded presentations. Available for viewing immediately after your purchase of just $8 per viewing. Topics range from basic gardening to habitat restoration. These classes are presented by certified experts in their field and are a great way to expand your horticulture knowledge. Enjoy! 🌻