Extension Connection

Seems as if our typical Minnesota cold is going to start catching up with us. As we all make a point to hunker down and endure the elements, don't forget about the critters. Cattle and other livestock will need more food to help maintain their body temperature. Provide wind breaks and adequate shelters, as well as bedding. Don't forget to check that water is accessible. Pets should not be left outdoors for extended periods of time, as they are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia just as people are. Stay warm.

Best,

Mercedes

Food animal producers need to be aware that antibiotics may start disappearing off the shelves over the next few months. In 2021, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) released Guidance# 263 to be implemented by June 11, 2023 stating that all food-animal antibiotics will need to be obtained via a prescription from a veterinarian. This is being done to help diminish antibiotic resistance to make sure that antibiotics continue to have the desired efficacy. Read the full article on the Carlton County Extension website.

It's not too late to join the final two sessions of this webinar series to help guide you in your pollinator plan! Join us each afternoon on January 31, February 1 & 2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. for this free webinar. You must pre-register for this series at http://z.umn.edu/BeeSeries to receive the webinar links.

Carlton, Pine, & Isanti Counties Extension are pleased to host the East Central Farm Transfer Workshop. Come and learn from the University of Minnesota Ag Business Team about how to navigate farm retirement, transferring farms from one generation to the next, and other pertinent topics. The event will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Pine County Historical Society & The Little Mermaid Cafe' in Askov, MN.

For more information, contact Nathan Hulinsky, hulioo13@umn.edu. Event is free, but pre-registration is required. Register Now!

Beef producers are invited to attend the Federated Coop and Munson Lake Nutrition's Winter Cow/Calf meeting. This event is being held on Thursday, February 16 at 6 p.m. at Route 61 Lounge and Bowling (formerly Gamper's). This is a free event, but pre-registration is required. To make your reservation, please call 218-485-4111.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Melissa Minkkinen- Moose Lake Veterinary Service- Update on antibiotic regulations and veterinary practices
• Dr. Chad Zehnder- Purina Animal Nutrition- “Optimizing Cow/Calf Herd Performance”
• Dwight Kickhafer- Zinpro- “Trace Minerals; Important, Different, Profitable”
• Betty Sorensen-FSA- Update on new programs and opportunities available for producers

Saturday, February 4, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Grand Lake Town Hall, 5297 US-53, Saginaw MN 55779

10-11:30 a.m. - Annual Membership Meeting – all are welcome

• 12 noon - Lunch (provided by Board members)
• 1-3pm- Presentations:
• 1 p.m. – Sarah Foltz-Jordan, Xerces Society: On-farm pollinator habitat
• 1:30 p.m.– John Beaton, Fairhaven Farm: Duluth Armory Food Hub Opportunity
• 2 p.m.– Lucinda Winter, SFA: Update from SFA-MN
• 2:30 p.m. – Tyler Carlson, SFA: Silvopasture as a Tool

To register click here: https://z.umn.edu/registrationsfa

Attend the Small Grains Workshop on Monday February 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the

North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids. Featured topics include growing small grains in northeastern Minnesota, using small grains for forage productions and how we can manage for high quality feedstuffs, and more!

To register for this free event, call 218-749-7120.

University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of apple tree pruning workshops across the state. These free workshops will take place throughout the winter months, the time of year when apple trees are dormant and pruning is recommended.

Whether you have two trees or 20, you can get guidance on proper pruning methods and hands-on practice pruning trees at apple orchards.

Pruning apple trees properly is important to optimize fruit growth and make harvesting easier. Homeowners, gardeners, Master Gardener volunteers, and orchardists of all experience levels throughout Minnesota may find these workshops useful. Participants will be outdoors using pruning shears and loppers, so attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and activities involved.

Local Educator Mercedes and other Extension educators will lead participants through the considerations and techniques for proper pruning. All workshops will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

Learn more and register.

On January 26th, local resident Shawn Bernhardt taught a Community Connect class on how to grow shiitake mushrooms. Class members will be invited to his farm in June for a hands on demonstration.

The Extension Office has been fielding questions about how and when to clean up tree damage after our recent storms. This photo taken in Blackhoof township shows in the forefront a large lilac bush and in front of the pines are prized apple trees. The Minnesota DNR website has a checklist to help you asses your situation. The University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Gary Wyatt's article on Tree Care after the storm outlines proper techniques for treating storm-damaged trees.

The Extension sewing volunteers hosted a project day on January 30th. They sewed book bags for reading programs at the Carlton, Cloquet and Moose Lake libraries. The bags are given to kids as an incentive to reach reading milestones. Over 70 bags will be donated when the project is complete. A big thanks to Pauline Ikola who prepped all of the kits for the sewers!

Pictured left to right are: Sue Jensen, Pauline Ikola, Ann Rust, Linda Huhta, Karen Johnson, Marjie Klint, and Mary Sanders.

The Carlton County Extension Office will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observation of President's Day. Messages for staff can be left via email or voicemail. We will get back to you as soon as we are able.

Watch our featured calendar of events for other upcoming programs. We hope to go well beyond traditional webinar formats to build in more robust discussion and engagement including live or recorded site tours, breakout discussions and other ways to make online learning worth your time.

Read our latest email newsletter to learn about 4-H and how participants and families can get involved.

Keri Cavitt, Regional Director cavit005@umn.edu

Tracey Hartung, Administrative Specialist thartung@umn.edu

Katie Siltanen, 4-H Educator silta006@umn.edu

Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffe029@umn.edu

Ann Rust, Vol Coord & Horticulture Assist rustx048@umn.edu

Email: mnext-Carlton@umn.edu
Website: https://local.extension.umn.edu/local/carlton
Location: 317 Chestnut Avenue, Carlton, MN, USA
Phone: 218-384-3511
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMNExtensionCarltonAg/

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