Carlton County Extension Connection
September 2024
In the spring of 2023 and 2024 the University of Minnesota Extension in partnership with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provided an educational opportunity for residents and landowners in Northeastern Minnesota to learn about creating wildlife habitat on their property and the impacts of climate change on wildlife species.
In these two years the wildlife series program has reached over 184 Minnesota residents and landowners, consequently impacting over 107,300 acres across the state. The series also provided participants with the skills, knowledge, and support to change their perspective on environmental sustainability and resiliency. According to one participant there was a“wide variety of info presented with reasonable depth for non professionals like myself.” Like this participant, many others became well informed on a variety of topics and will therefore be better stewards of the land to beneficially impact wildlife populations and their habitat.
The wildlife series participants are currently managing land for a changing climate with at least one of the following management techniques: providing nesting/breeding habitat, reducing emissions for water/air quality, introducing native plant species/drought resistant species, adding pollinator habitat, and/or providing cover. They are creating habitat for pollinators such as bees, bats, and song birds, along with other wildlife like game birds, raptors, deer, black bears, elk, moose, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
Because the wildlife series has been so well received, Extension will be offering a follow up Wildlife Tour to previous participants and newcomers on September 19, 2024 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Harth Heritage Farm (39982 Black Willow Road) in Hinckley, MN. Pre-registration is requested, so please register at z.umn.edu/WildlifeTour.
The tour will include a hayride that will highlight a variety of ecosystems and forest complexes related to wildlife habitat, especially cover and space. Participants will learn about the variety of programs that help landowners with habitat restoration and resiliency, while protecting water quality. They will also develop skills to manage, scout, and control invasive species. In addition, each participant will have the chance to create an insect hibernaculum to take home!
Climate-Ready Woodlands: Tree Steward Journal
Climate scientists with the USDA Forest Service have identified a number of species with the potential for migration into new regions as the climate continues to shift. However, many people may already be experimenting with planting these species outside of their normal range.
If you have planted any of the species indicated on the migration potential list for your area, we would like to learn from you! There is a great deal that is unknown about these species in Minnesota, and your information could help researchers fill in vital knowledge gaps.
Volunteers who join the project will be asked to fill out a "tree journal" — an open-ended survey with questions about your site location and conditions, tree species and management, and observations about tree and ecosystem health.
Follow the link to join the project and help gather critical data for researchers to assess the survival, health and ecological interactions of these trees in Minnesota.
Back by popular demand come learn about how to properly divide peonies from local grower Ed Kavanaugh.
Where: 1926 East Chub Lake Rd Carlton, MN 55718
When: September 13th from 5-7pm
Details: $20 cash or check at the door, participants will leave with a Sarah Bernhardt peony root. More varieties of rootstock will be available to purchase after the class by cash or check. Roots begin at $20 depending on variety.
Preregistration is required. Please call Mandi at 218-384-8680 to register. Space is limited to 25 participants.
The Carlton County Master Gardener group has built and is stocking a "Little Free Food Pantry" in Moose Lake. The idea came from one of the group members that had seen one working in Iowa. The concept is the same as a free book library, only you take a vegetable, share a vegetable!
Stop in and check it out. Who doesn't have a zucchini to share. 😃 It is located on Earl Ellen's Drive in front of the hockey shelter in Moose Lake.
Thanks to Master Gardener Terry Koren for building the stand!
Follow the Facebook page here for updates.
Growing microgreens for the beginner
Growing microgreens is a fun way to add fresh flavors and a tender crunch to your dishes! Microgreens are young, immature densely grown seedlings of selected vegetables and herbs. Join local gardener, Andrew from "Growing Duluth" for this class geared toward the beginner. He will go over supplies, seed selection, care and harvesting.
Carlton County Transportation Building, 1630 County Rd. 61, Carlton
Thursday, September 12th, 2:00 - 3:30 pm, $5 at the door, 18 and under are free
Contact Ann at 218-384-8684 or rustx048@umn.edu to pre-register.
The Carlton County Master Gardener group is now accepting applications for membership
Learn and grow with the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program! Applications for the Carlton County Master Gardeners are now open. Apply by October 1.
https://extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/become-master-gardener
Earlier this year the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced new regulations to improve traceability for cattle and bison. The update is designed to enhance the U.S. response to foreign animal disease outbreaks, helping to quickly identify and contain diseases, and limiting their impact on U.S. herds.
Rapid traceability will minimize farm quarantines, reduce disease spread, and speed up market resumption. By enabling the identification of disease-free regions, the U.S. can prevent widespread trade restrictions and protect its agricultural trade relationships.
Tags applied on or after November 5, 2024 must be visually and electronically readable to be considered official when required for intrastate or interstate movements of cattle and bison.
Look for more details from the Board in the next few months as we get closer to the official requirement date. Veterinarians who do a lot of tagging can order free official RFID tags from the USDA via the Board's website. The Board is also working on a system for producers to order smaller quantities of tags for their herds.
-Article from Minnesota Board of Animal Health
The Minnesota Women's Woodland Network is offering a course for women on chainsaw safety. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on workshop is designed to empower women in safely and confidently using a chainsaw. Learn from expert instructors in a supportive environment. Locations are being held around the state, but we are having one in our backyard! This is a two day event being held on October 2-3 at the Cloquet Forestry Center. The workshops run from 8:30am to 4:00pm. The cost to attend is $175. To learn more, visit
mnwwn.org/events and open the October calendar. Email for questions info@mnwwn.org.
Canning season is here so take advantage of getting your pressure canner gauge tested at the Extension Office.
Today's pressure canner may have a dial gauge or weighted gauge for indicating and regulating the pressure.
Weighted gauges will either keep rocking gently or make a frequent jiggling noise to indicate if the correct pressure is being maintained. Read the manufacturer's instructions to know how a particular weighted gauge should rock or jiggle. A dial gauge has movable parts and must be checked for accuracy. Weighted gauges are one solid piece and do not require testing.
Check dial gauges for accuracy before use each year. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings cause over-processing. Pressure adjustments can be made if the gauge reads up to 2 pounds high or low. Replace gauges that differ by more than 2 pounds.
This free service is offered during regular office hours. Please call in advance to make an appointment. This test only takes about 5 minutes. Stop in and see us!
Plat Books for sale!
Did you know? The Carlton County 4-H Federation has an ongoing fundraiser selling Carlton County plat books?! Currently we have plat books for the 2021 year which can be purchased at the Extension office at a reduced price of $25 instead of the regular price of $40. (cash or checks only, please). 2025 plat books will be available this fall.
In 4-H all youth are welcome!
4-H is an out- of-school, hands-on learning program for anyone in Kindergarten through one year past high school (grade 13). You choose a project that's interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.
What can I do in 4-H?
The sky's the limit! 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. We have one-day events, year-long projects and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.