Pine & Isanti County Ext. Update
Agriculture, Horticulture, & Natural Resources
Deer season is upon us! If you enjoy the sport and want to help researchers understand more about food webs of Minnesota landscapes, then consider participating in the Offal Wildlife Watching Project. It's fairly simple and easy to participate. Just harvest a deer during the season, leave the gut pile (offal), set up a trail camera to see what wildlife come to it, and report your findings. As you continue reading, you'll also find more participatory science programs you can help with! Or, read about the veterans who participate in this project.
On the other hand, you might only be interested in how to keep deer away from your tree seedlings and plants this winter. That's okay! Deer can cause problems for gardeners and farmers when they feed on gardens, landscape plants, and agricultural crops. Living with wildlife like white-tailed deer requires patience and taking action early to prevent damage. There's still time to take preventative action this fall!
~Katie Hagen
High Tunnel Research
UMN Extension has a new research study to support safe integration of livestock and vegetable operations. The purpose of the research is to gather data to support evidence-based recommendations around safe integration of livestock and vegetables. If you are a vegetable farmer who integrates livestock into the operation with a high tunnel, please fill out this short and anonymous form. If you are interested in participating in the research, you can include your contact information and the research team will be in touch with more details. Data sampling will occur this fall and winter. You will be eligible for a $300 stipend and results of soil sampling analysis if interested and eligible for participation.
Invasive Species Surveillance
Citizens often are the first detectors when out enjoying Minnesota’s great outdoors. Extension works with volunteers, family woodland owners, natural resource professionals and community members to monitor and prevent the spread of invasive species in Minnesota. A University of Minnesota Extension volunteer discovered invasive spiny water fleas in Daniels Lake, a part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). If you are interested in surveillance near you, Minnesota residents can now request a kit for a one-week loan at no cost via an online form: z.umn.edu/SpinyKits. Help with other invasive species programs with participatory science programs like TIPS.
Sign Up for the Hinckley Community Garden Board
The U of M Extension in Pine County is looking for volunteers to be a part of a board to create a community garden in Hinckley! The goal of creating a garden board is to create an inclusive space for gardening of all people, ages, and abilities that provides access to healthy and fresh food, fosters community relationships, and encourages physical activity. As a member of the garden board you will help write grant proposals/applications and contracts, help with the design/layout of the garden, and/or provide labor for construction and maintenance. If you are interested in this new adventure, please fill out this form: z.umn.edu/HinckleyCGBoard.
Agritourism Blooming Across the State
On a sunny, breezy October Saturday, a steady stream of visitors wander the grounds at the Fresh Acres farm in Monticello for its annual Fall Festival. Children and their parents disappear at the first turn of the corn maze. Other kids partially "disappear" in a massive corn pit. The festival grounds are ringed with food and coffee trucks, a face-painting stand, arts and crafts vendors and decorated bales of hay. There are also bouncy houses, a pumpkin patch and a petting zoo featuring a half dozen-plus goats and two pigs. All over the state agritourism is booming this fall!
Contact Me
Katie Hagen
Ag Production, Hort & Natural Resources Extension Educator
Email: hagen@umn.edu
Phone (Isanti Co./Pine Co.): 763-689-8254/320-591-1662
Address (Isanti Co./Pine Co.): 555 18th Ave. SW, Cambridge, MN 55008/635 Northridge Dr NW Ste 280, Pine City, MN 55063