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Ag and Extension

Johnson named top Republican on House Agriculture subpanel

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson has been named the top Republican on a House Agriculture Committee subpanel. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Michael Conaway said in a Thursday statement that Johnson will be the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations. Johnson says the farm bill implementation will be overseen by the subcommittee. He says the subcommittee also oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Johnson says the decision is unexpected, but that he really worked to get the ...

Tending to orchids

We are in the depths of winter with around 50 days or so left to “grin and bear it.” We are all hardy individuals but it is also nice to see some color in our house-something green and growing. If your amaryllis plants are done flowering, you can depend on orchids to fill their place. In fact, since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, this is a good time to think about giving or receiving these lovely plants. There are two things that I like the most about any of the various varieties of orchids that are available for purchase. The first is when they do flower, they ...

Ag Briefs

SMSU Farm Outlook & Education seminar scheduled for Feb. 13 The 35th annual Farm Outlook & Education Seminar will be from 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Conference Center Ballroom at Southwest Minnesota State University. The Farm Outlook & Education Seminar is a scholarship fundraiser for students in SMSU’s agriculture programs. Three speakers with broad agriculture backgrounds will highlight the event. They will share their expertise on a number of ag topics, including agronomics and economics, cash flow planning in tough economic times, and analysis of current ...

Outstanding trees

It’s January. It’s cold and the last thing on most of our minds is gardening. For the hardy Minnesota gardeners who are out there, you have probably already started to seed things like onions and leeks for this coming summer’s garden space. You may not be gardening outside but you are inside gardening under lights. It is a good time of the year for reading about gardening, studying about gardening, thinking about what you want in your garden for next year. I am always on the outlook for something interesting to read about. In this case, instead of going over to the U of M Extension ...

University of Minnesota ROC Research Update Feb. 13 at SWROC

The Southwest Research & Outreach Center (SWROC) near Lamberton is hosting an ROC Research Update on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The ROC Research Update will highlight current University of Minnesota agricultural research that is conducted at the Southwest, Southern and West Central Research & Outreach Centers (ROCs). The ROCs are collaborating to share regionally focused research results and recommendations with area crop and livestock producers. Similar programs will be Feb. 12 at the WCROC in Morris and the SROC in Waseca on Feb. 14. Presentations and speakers include: Farm Income ...

Training opportunities

Gardening is an ever changing activity. I believe that each year that I have been a master gardener, there has been something new for us to try and that is not just related to new plant material. This is the start of my 27th year of being a master gardener. I think that because it changes all of the time and the certain amount of challenge that comes with working in the confines of Mother Nature’s realm, it is what keeps me coming back. I am very humble to say that this year, the U of M Extension, is finding its roots. No pun intended! I think it is because the U of M is providing all ...