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Ag and Extension

A positive change

One of the biggest positive changes, in my opinion, since COVID started is that we have turned back to some of the simpler things in life one of which is gardening. There are so many of us now making our backyards our own little oasis or our private garden of Eden. It is like an extension of our living rooms complete, at times, with televisions and even some special furniture. As we plant flowers in our gardens, we are doing more for just our own well-being and mental health but it also helps pollinators. Through each and everyone’s differences on what they like for flowers, shrubs ...

Raising herbs

Herbs can be a fun way to connect gardening with cooking particularly with children. My daughter recently became very interested in herb gardening from seed after her science teacher introduced to her class how to raise herbs from seed. I think at this point it is more a matter of how does this grow rather than what do I do with it once it does grow. Herbs can be a bit tricky to raise from seed. A few are very easy to raise such as dill or parsley. These two herbs in particular are fun to raise even if you are not interested in the herb as much as the interest they raise in the garden ...

Jumping worms

There has been many questions about jumping worms. If you have seen any videos showing these little devils, well, they are somewhat creepy. These are an invasive species to Minnesota. We do not have them here at this time. For those gardeners who live around the Twin Cities metro area, it is most unfortunate that they are dealing with these little critters. Unlike our native worms who live within the top 6 feet, jumping worms live within the top few inches of soil. They also reproduce at a much faster rate, which is one of the basic problems that we have with these worms. Because so ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

U of M Extension to host Summer Beef Essentials webinar series The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a webinar series titled: Summer Beef Essentials Webinar Series. Zoom meetings will be on May 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27 from 8-9 p.m. CST. This webinar series will focus on different considerations to prepare for parasite and fly control, summer stressors on the cow herd, pasture and weed management, and practices to help producers extend the grazing season. Farmers, 4-H members, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and those interested in beef cows are invited to ...

Ash trees

As spring continues its slow march on, this is a good time to talk about ash trees. Each spring, as a Master Gardener, there is one particular question that I get quite often. “My ash trees are losing their leaves and so could it be Emerald ash borer?” Generally speaking, no. Emerald Ash borer is now active and in fact, is active between May 1-Sept. 30. The winter months, there is lower activity but even though there may not be activity, you can still potentially spread the pest by our own actions. Let’s first tackle what happens with our ash trees at this time of the year that ...

USDA reopens signup for Food Assistance Program 2

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that signup has reopened for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. The initial CFAP 2 signup ended on Dec. 11, 2020, but USDA has reopened sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning April 5, for producers to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications. CFAP 2 program provides direct financial relief to producers due to market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Most of the crops and livestock ...