Carlton County Extension Connection

Happy New Year! As we step into a fresh year, it’s the perfect time to embrace change and explore new opportunities. Perhaps this is the year to take your garden or farm to the next level, make the most of your resources, and branch out in new directions. Consider joining a local cattlemen’s group to connect with others in the industry, or lend your support to the next generation by becoming a 4-H volunteer. Whatever path you choose, may this year bring an abundance of opportunities, growth, and good things for each of you. And regardless of where your journey takes you, we’re here and happy to help however we can!

-Mercedes Moffett, ANR Educator

Growing blueberries can be a rewarding and productive endeavor in northern Minnesota. Your success will depend on several factors covered in this presentation.

This session will include principles of site selection, preparation, soil testing, and pH modification, as well as blueberry varieties, planting, harvesting, pruning, disease and animal control. Emphasis will be on the University of Minnesota half-high cultivars developed and trialed in Grand Rapids. Information will include applied research on winter hardiness and cultural techniques for northeast Minnesota.

Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 6-7:30 pm

Carlton County Transportation Bldg., 1630 County Rd. 61, Carlton

$10 payable at the door. Admission includes: Hand-outs, refreshments and door prizes.

Please call 218-384-8684 or email rustx048@umn.edu to register

UMN Extension Cow Calf Days Seminar and Trade Show is back! This year we'll be tackling a resurgence of long-lost problems, exploring mineral nutrition for cows and calves, emphasizing critical cow nutrition, and sharing the latest beef research update. Sessions will be held across Minnesota:

• Jan 27 – Staples, 9:30 AM at Central Lakes CC
• Jan 27 – Fosston, 5:30 PM at Ventures Bar & Grill
• Jan 28 – Warroad, 5:30 PM at Warroad Riverplace
• Jan 29 – Iron, 5:30 PM at Clinton Town Hall
• Feb 9 – Mora, 5:30 PM at Grand Event Center
• Feb 10 – Starbuck, 9:30 AM at Clear Springs Cattle Co
• Feb 11 – Pipestone, 9:30 AM at MN West CC
• Feb 12 – Oronoco, 5:30 PM at Rossman Farms
• Feb 13 – Le Sueur, 9:30 AM at Ag Partners HQ
• 
  

Admission is just $10 per person at the door, which includes meals and materials. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join University of Minnesota Extension for a three-part webinar series on pollinator health and habitat, January 26-28 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. CST. Learn practical, science based steps to help pollinators thrive in any space.

• Jan 26: Heather Holm on keystone plants & "Soft Landings" designs for native bees
• Jan 27: Dr. Elaine Evans with the latest UMN Bee Lab research on bee health & conservation
• Jan 28: UMN Extension Master Gardeners share inspiring pollinator habitat projects across Minnesota

Pre-registration is required: z.umn.edu/BeeSeries

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 20th as the Midwest Forage Association (MFA) and the Northeast Forage & Grassland Council (NEFGC) host the annual Tour de Forage meeting in Floodwood, Minnesota.

Location: The Event Center, 201 W 7th Ave, Floodwood, MN 55736

Program Highlights

This year’s agenda features an outstanding lineup of speakers and topics:

• Keynote Speaker: Jo Heuschel, USDA-ARS Research Agronomist (Biochemistry)
• Re-evaluating the “how & why” of cover crops
• Goats in brush control: integration strategies and economic benefits
• Karl Hoppe, NDSU – Practical approaches to utilizing poor-quality forages
• PFAS in Minnesota – Understanding regulations with experts from MPCA & WLSSD
• NEFGC Updates – Annual business meeting and council highlights
• Networking – Dedicated time to connect with event sponsors and peers

Registration Details

• Cost: $25 with preregistration, or $30 at the door
• Includes meal and meeting materials
• Open to all — NEFGC membership is not required

Schedule:

• Registration & tabling begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Meeting starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Why Attend?

The Tour de Forage is your opportunity to gain practical insights, explore innovative forage strategies, and strengthen connections within the agricultural community. Whether you’re a producer, researcher, or industry partner, this event offers valuable takeaways for everyone.

The University of Minnesota Extension Horticulture team is to host weekly noontime Wednesday webinars that will cover all aspects of fruit and vegetable production. UMN Extension educators, industry experts, and experienced farmers will present each topic during the webinar series on aspects of fruit and vegetable production, from variety selection to pest management to postharvest handling. If you are a small to medium sized or aspiring farmer make plans to attend this series. Registration is available at z.umn.edu/fvwinterwebinar.

“Running a fruit and vegetable farm is complex – there’s Marketing, crop specific planning and practices, and lots of pests, growers can get a refresher on all these topics and more during this webinar series” says Marissa Schuh, an IPM extension educator.

Meetings will be held on Zoom from 12-1:15 on Wednesdays from January 7 to April 22. The event is free, but registration is required to get meeting access. All sessions will be recorded, but you must register to receive access to the recordings. You will register once and choose which sessions you want to attend or receive recordings.

The schedule for the series is as follows:

• January 7: Finding and selling to new Markets: restaurants, wholesale, and farm to school in 2026

• January 14: Crop planning to meet production goals

• January 21: Adding fruit to your farm

• January 28: Is a high tunnel right for your farm?

• February 11: Pumpkin IPM throughout the season

• February 18: Diagnosing and dealing with tomato problems

Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive only 15.9* cents of every food dollar that consumers spend? According to the USDA, off farm costs including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing account for more than 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States.

Understanding a seed catalog involves decoding symbols and terms for plant needs (sun, water, zone), growth habits (determinate/indeterminate), maturity (days to harvest), and seed types (hybrid/OP/heirloom) using the catalog's legend, which is crucial for choosing plants that thrive in your garden's conditions and planning your planting schedule. Key information includes Days to Maturity, Disease Resistance codes, sunlight/water icons, and explanations for Hybrid (F1) vs. Open-Pollinated (OP) seeds, helping you select varieties suited to your specific climate and growing goals.

Key Sections & Terms to Understand

• Legend/Key: Find this at the beginning; it decodes symbols for sun, water, resistance, etc..
• Days to Maturity: Days from planting to harvest (after transplanting); vital for short seasons.
• Planting Zones: Know your USDA Hardiness Zone to find appropriate plants.
• Seed Types:
  • Hybrid (F1): Crossbred for specific traits (yield, disease resistance); seeds don't breed true.
  • Open-Pollinated (OP): Pollinated naturally; seeds can be saved.
  • Heirloom: Old, OP varieties prized for flavor/history; seeds are savable.
• Plant Habit (Tomatoes/Peppers):
  • Determinate: Bushy, fruits all at once.
  • Indeterminate: Viney, fruits all season.
• Disease Resistance: Codes (V, F, TSWV) indicate resistance to specific wilts or viruses; look for "tolerance" vs. "resistance".
• Starting Seeds:
  • Direct Sow: Plant seeds straight into the garden.
  • Indoor Sow/Start: Start indoors before the last frost.

How to Use Your Catalog

1. Check the Legend: Understand symbols for sun, water, and resistance.
2. Know Your Zone: Select plants suited to your climate.
3. Note Maturity: Match days to maturity with your frost dates.
4. Look for Codes: Decipher disease resistance abbreviations (V, F, TSWV).
5. Compare Types: Decide if you want hybrids (F1) or heirlooms (OP) for seed saving.
6. Review Growing Tips: Pay attention to specific advice on soil, warmth, or germination.

Check out Extension's website for more in depth information on all gardening topics!

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on January 1. With $4 million available on a first-come, first-served basis, landlords and sellers who rent or sell farmland, equipment, or livestock to beginning farmers may qualify for credits of up to $7,000 for cash rentals, $10,000 for share rentals, and $50,000 for sales (12% if sold to a Limited Land Access Farmer). Beginning farmers may also receive up to $1,500 annually for three years to reimburse Farm Business Management tuition. Application deadlines are July 17, 2026, for rentals and November 1, 2026, for sales and tuition reimbursement. Check out MDA's website for more information.

Did you know? The 2024 Carlton County plat books are still available. The on going plat book fund raiser for the Carlton County 4-H federation benefits the local 4-H kids. These include not only land descriptions but aerial photos as well. Please stop in the office to pick one up today. Cost is $40 cash or check.

You can donate gently used children's books during office hours or put them directly in the "Little Library" in front of the office.

The office will be closed on January 1, 2 and 19 in observance of the new year and Martin Luther King Day. We encourage you to call ahead before visiting to ensure staff are available to assist you.

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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