Breaking News

Ag and Extension

Staying healthy in the time of COVID-19

U of M Extension Farmers and those working throughout the agricultural supply chain will soon be in the midst of the 2020 planting season. Staying healthy during this time is particularly critical as the optimal planting window is only so wide and it can be extremely weather dependent. It may be very difficult to find trained replacement labor if one were to fall ill during this time. Many farmers are also at an age that puts them at higher risk from a COVID-19 infection. For personal safety and to maintain a COVID-19 free labor force, farmers and all who are in the agricultural ...

Gearing up for gardening

The sunnier days and warmer temperatures are getting the gardener inside all of us ready to go and pumped up for another summer of gardening in Minnesota. We made it through probably the worst winter has to offer and I am finding that there are many gardeners who have been starting their seeds indoors. This is truly exciting news. Remember, that there are many avenues to get your gardening questions answered this growing season. The first route to go is contact your local Master Gardener. A list of gardeners is usually kept at your local U of M Extension office. Master Gardeners go ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

Food regulations class has been canceled The free training on local food regulations scheduled for April 7 at the Marshall Area YMCA has been canceled because of COVID-19 concerns, said Kim Guenther, Marshall Farmers’ Market coordinator. All unnecessary travel, including for such trainings, is postponed. The Farmers’ Market was coordinating the training with the Minnesota Institure for Sustainable Agriculture, Renewing the Countryside, and the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association. Environmental review required before project implementation The National Environmental Policy ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

Cottage Food Producer Food Safety training is March 30 in Marshall University of Minnesota Extension Food Safety Educator Kathy Brandt is offering a “Keep it Legal! Keep it Safe Cottage Food Producer” class in Marshall from 1-5 p.m. Monday, March 30, at SWWC Service Cooperative. The class meets the Minnesota Department of Agriculture food safety training requirements to register as a Minnesota Cottage Food Producer to sell homemade baked goods, candy, home-canned peaches, pickles, salsa, jam and jellies and more. The course focuses on food safety practices for all processes ...

Composting

Living on a farm, it is easy for me to do. If anyone who owns their own home or maybe if you are renting a home or if you live out in the country and don’t farm, you can do this too. Composting. The No. 1 way methane gets into the environment is from people throwing away food or organic materials into their trash. We are also losing a great opportunity to use these materials to help out our soils in our gardens whether they are vegetable or perennial gardens. You really don’t need any fancy equipment but it is out there if you want to build it or purchase it. You really only need ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

PQA and TQA certification sessions scheduled University of Minnesota Extension, in partnership with Minnesota Pork Board, will offer Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions Wednesday, March 4, in Marshall. The quality assurance sessions will be at the AmericInn (1406 E. Lyon St., Marshall). The PQA Plus certification session is scheduled from 9 a.m.–noon. The TQA certification session is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. All certification sessions are free. Registration is requested by contacting Minnesota Pork Board at 1-800-537-7675 ...