Carlton County Extension Connection

Save the dates! This year our NEFGC bus tour will be headed to SE MN on October 20th and 21st. Keep your eyes out for more info!

Who are Master Gardener volunteers?

• Master Gardeners have diverse experiences and are in most Minnesota communities.
• They share gardening best practices that promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives.
• They receive extensive online training and have opportunities to engage with University of Minnesota Extension educators and faculty.

Steps to become an Extension Master Gardener volunteer

• Apply for a Master Gardener internship
• Complete the online Extension Master Gardener
• Share your knowledge
• Stay involved

Call Ann Rust at the Extension Office for more information on what the Carlton County group is involved with. 218-384-8684 or rustx048@umn.edu.

Visit the State Master Gardener website for more information on becoming a member.

Please call ahead to schedule an appointment with either Ann (218-384-8684) or Mandi (218-384-8680).

Watch for future class announcements!

Join us on Thursday, September 19, at the North Central Research and Outreach Center for a Field Day focused on the latest research and management strategies for cover crops and perennial pastures.

• Check-in: 8:30 a.m.

• Program: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Lunch provided following the program

• Cost: Free to attend

• Event will be held rain or shine

Program Highlights

• Cover Crop Research – Explore current research at NCROC and across Minnesota on cover crop establishment and management, and their impacts on long-term crop rotations. Learn how cover crops influence water infiltration and runoff, and gain insights into what’s happening below the soil surface.

• Perennial Pasture Research – Hear the latest findings on best management practices for perennial pastures and how forage quality affects animal fertility.

• Practical Tools and Resources – Practice using a grazing stick to estimate yield and compare results with scissor-cut data. Discover tools and resources to help you successfully establish cover crops on your operation.

Featured Speakers

• Dr. Axel Garcia y Garcia – Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist

• Dr. Eric Mousel – Beef Systems Management Specialist

• Liz Stahl – Extension Educator, Crops

• Angie Peltier – Extension Educator, Crops

• Gabi Bolwerk – Extension Educator, Water Resources and Soil Health

The second annual Tri-County Winter Webinar Series will be held on Tuesday afternoons from September to December, allowing gardeners to learn from experts during the day. This informative series will feature expert speakers covering a range of gardening and landscape topics, perfect for the beginner gardener or homeowner.

The webinars will take place in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on pre-selected Tuesdays, offering valuable insights into seasonal gardening practices and planning for the 2026 growing season. Below is the schedule of topics and speakers:

September 30: Dormant seeding your home lawn with Dr. Jon Trappe, UMN Turfgrass Extension Educator

October 7: Plant propagation for indoor and outdoor plants with UMN Extension Master Gardener, Bill Cook

October 21: A beginner's guide to houseplants with Emily Lindenfelser, Tri-County Extension Educator, Horticulture

November 4: Growing, storing, and enjoying dahlias with UMN Extension Master Gardener, Jackie Burkey

November 18: An introduction to rain gardens with Tarah Young, Hubbard County Extension Educator, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resources

December 2: Growing kiwiberries in MN with Laura Irish-Hanson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, and Dr. Seth Wannemuehler, assistant professor of woody landscape plant breeding

December 16: Climate ready IPM with Marissa Schuh, Extension Educator, Integrated Pest Management

Each session is free to attend, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. All sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the Meeker County Extension YouTube channel. To register, please visit z.umn.edu/WinterWebinarSeries

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your gardening skills with advice from local and regional experts!

For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/WinterWebinarSeries or contact Emily Lindenfelser at hans6005@umn.edu.

The Extension office will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observation of Labor Day. Please also note that staffing will be limited during the week of September 15-19 due to a conference. We encourage you to call ahead to ensure staff availability before visiting the office.

For assistance with registration or printing of information please contact the Extension Office at

218-384-3511. A computer is also available for public use.

Mandi Haglund, Principal Office & Admin. Specialist, haglu119@umn.edu

Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffett029@umn.edu

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

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

317 Chestnut Ave

P.O. Box 307 Carlton, MN 55718

218-384-3511

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