Carlton County Extension Connection

Presented by: Dr. Jon Trappe, Turfgrass Extension Educator

This class will focus on all matters of lawn care. Topics include best management practices related to mowing, fertilizing, weed and insect management, thatch management, aerification, establishment and renovation. We will also have time for hands-on turfgrass id and the lawn care calendar.

Dr. Jon Trappe is the Turfgrass Extension Educator for the University of Minnesota. He has over 20 years of experience working in the turfgrass industry. Jon is passionate about helping homeowners and professionals manage their turfgrass areas using fewer resources.

Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 6-7:30 pm

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

$10 payable at the door. Admission includes: handouts and refreshments.

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

Save the date for the next Community Connect Class on Thursday, March 27th. Barb Ronnigan from the "Northstar Lily Society" will present information on all things Lilies! More information in the March newsletter.

February 3rd, 2025, 5:30 pm

Mora Grand Event Center, 2025 Rowland Rd., Mora, MN

Topics

• Beef Checkoff Facts & Fiction - Kelly Schmidt, MN Beef Council
• Price Protection for Cattle Markets - Cali Flower, Hurley & Associates
• First Defense for Calf Scours - Michelle Philibeck, Immucell, Inc.
• Beef Research Update - Eric Mousel, U of M Beef Team

$10.00 per person at the door, includes meal and material

Brought to you by the U of M Beef Team

218.513.0781

emmousel@umn.edu

Advanced Grazing Techniques for Building Soil Health
(201 Level Workshop)

Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching is coming back for the Crow Wing River Basin Forage Councils' winter meeting. The Alberta grazer who drew great reviews when he was here over a decade ago is returning. Kenyon will be discussing advanced grazing techniques that he has learned over the years ranching in the Alberta landscape.

Topics

• Paddock design and management
• Outwintering research on carbon and water cycle
• Small ruminants and livestock guardian animals
• Grazing Pasture Calculator
• Farmer Panel of regional leaders in managed grazing

After the workshop, join us for fellowship and conversation around good food and drink. You’ll have a chance to ask Steve your most pressing questions from the day. Location: Beck’s Burgers, 119 3rd St NE Staples, Minn. Time: 4:30 social hour, food and drinks on your own.

Advance registration requested, walkups welcome. $30 admission for SFA members, $40 for nonmembers. Members must log in to see member pricing. Learn more about joining SFA here.

Refunds for cancellations can be requested up to 48 hours prior to the event.

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.

Regenerative agriculture, resilient cropping systems, and soil health are just a few of the buzzwords that are busied a lot these days. One of the simplest and fastest ways to reach the goals that these concepts set out to accomplish is extending your crop rotation beyond the corn-soybean rotation that dominates much of Minnesota. Can spring or winter wheat, hybrid winter rye, or oats be more than just cover and actually be that third crop? An outbreak of Fusarium head blight and challenges with pre-harvest sprouting this past season give pause on whether these risks are worth the rewards of an extended crop rotation.

Thursday, February 13 - Grand Rapids: North Central Research & Outreach Center, 1861 E. US Hwy 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm with lunch starting at noon. (Contact Troy Salzer at 218-591-0478, please register by February 10 for meal count)

Photo by Mark Paulson

Escape the cold, drab winter at the Arboretum's annual Spring Flower Show, starting Feb. 1, where you’ll find bright, fragrant displays representing enchanted spring gardens. The show runs daily from Feb. 1-March 16 and is included with general daily admission.

Arboretum Hours

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN
Buildings are open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Grounds are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets | Membership | Donate

The Farm to School Roadshow is on the move again for 2025 and coming to Cloquet February 13th! The Roadshow is an opportunity to make new connections and learn how to build successful Farm to School relationships. These in-person events will bring together Minnesota school nutrition professionals, early care providers, producers and farmers for networking and training opportunities. For 2025, the Roadshow is a full day event with options to attend for the full day or half day.

Growing for Schools - Vegetable Production and Planning (9:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)Vegetable Farmer Focused

The morning session will take an in-depth look at vegetable crop planning and management for production to the wholesale market, specifically schools. We will deep dive into topics such as crop planning for wholesale markets, pest management, and safe harvest and storage with UMN Extension Educators. Growers will leave the morning with customizable crop plans for common crops schools are buying and the most up to date research related to growing healthy, abundant crops.

Business of Farm to School and Farmer/Buyer Networking (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

All Farmers/ Producers and Schools/ Early Care Providers Welcome

The afternoon session is open to all local sellers (farmers, producers, makers) and buyers (schools, early care centers and providers) who are interested in expanding their local purchasing power and connecting directly with farmers to purchase products. This session will include a training on “The Business of Farm to School- From Planning in the Fields to Serving on the Tray, and Everything in Between” and a Buyer/ Seller networking activity to directly connect farmers and buyers. Bring your business cards!

At registration, participants may sign-up for only the morning session or afternoon session, or may choose to attend the full day event.

When: February 13th from 9-4 with options for full or half day

Where: Cloquet Public Library

Cost: Free

Agenda

9:00am – 12:00pm

Growing for Schools- Vegetable Production and Planning

Presented by UMN Extension Educators

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch

Available to participants who attend the full day event; provided through funding from the MN Farmers Union and NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR SARE).

1:00pm – 2:45pm

“The Business of Farm to School- From Planning in the Fields to Serving on the Tray and Everything in Between”

Presented by UMN Extension Educators and Jayme Anderson, MDE

2:45pm – 4:00pm

Producer + Buyer Speed Networking Activity

Facilitated by Jayme Anderson, MDE

Registration: Register here. At registration, participants may sign-up for only the morning session or afternoon session, or can choose to attend the full day event.

Minnesota is a winter haven for outdoor activities, theater, food and drink, seasonal festivals and more.

"Explore Minnesota" has gathered information on all things Minnesota during our cold winter months! Check out their website for more information.

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.

The Extension office will be closed February 17 in observance of President's Day.

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.

Keri Cavitt, Regional Director cavit005@umn.edu

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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