Extension Connection
November 2022
A note from your Educator
Also, please feel free to stop in the office and visit with us!
Best,
Mercedes
Birding in Northern Minnesota is the topic for the November Community Connect Class
Join Margie Menzies of the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth for a presentation on basic birding. She will cover equipment needed, birding etiquette, bird ID, and how to prepare your yard for bird visitors in the winter.
The event will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 1:00-2:30 pm at the Carlton County Transportation Building, 1630 County Rd. 61, Carlton. The cost is $5 at the door. 18 and under are free. Admission includes: hand-outs. Please call 218-384-8684 or email rustx048@umn.edu to register.
Biochar Soil Amendment Demonstration
In partnership with the City of Cloquet and Carlton SWCD, the public is invited to a Biochar Demonstration on Thursday, November 3 from 9:00 am to noon at the Cloquet Public Works Gravel Yard, 410 Armory Rd. Cloquet.
We will be using our Oregon Kilns to make biochar from the buckthorn collected at the Pine Valley Park event, scheduled for October 29th (contact Carlton SWCD to register) Landowners and gardeners are welcome to come see how biochar is made and used to improve our soils. Participants are encouraged to bring a bucket to collect some biochar to use at their properties. If you are interested in learning more about biochar and how it can improve your soils, come check out this demonstration. No registration is required. For more information, contact Mercedes at 218-384-3511 or Carlton SWCD at (218) 384-3891.
Latest Rules for Fall Tax Planning
Join us November 22, 2022 from 6:30-8:30pm for an online webinar to discuss latest rules and changes to be expecting for the upcoming tax year for your Ag operation. Extension Ag Business Specialist Rob Holcomb will discuss a variety of topics including: charitable gifting, borrowing and lending tax issues, newly acquired farm assets, farm rental property, and more.
Registration is required.
Register online: https://z.umn.edu/2022AgFallTax
A Changing Way of Life Ambiguous Loss and Farming
Farming affects everyone's life. From the farms to suppliers, markets to our tables, farmers care for us even when we may not even know them.
Even without the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers and farm workers experience high levels of anxiety, depression, substance use and death by suicide. Most farmers face factors that are completely out of their control, and that can’t be fixed by just working harder. Farm families may feel like they don’t know where to go. A shift in gears and a new way of seeing the situation might be the key to farming success for years to come.
Extension is offering training for those that work with or know farm families experiencing stress, loss or tough decisions for their family or business.
“A Changing Way of Life: Ambiguous loss and farming” helps farm families understand and name ambiguous loss, and to provide strategies for moving forward. In the changing farm and rural landscape, loss of land, livestock, changing markets, and even relationships can be ambiguous losses that lead many to feel “stuck.” Ambiguous loss is an unclear loss without closure.
Join us at the Cloquet Forestry Center on November 11 from 9-3. Registration is required https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdXJtXhrhcNAnrw
U of M Extension to host webinar series for Cattle Owners with a Day Job
The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to host a three-part webinar series
entitled: “Essentials for the Cattle Owner with a Day Job” Zoom meetings will be held on Thursday, November 3, 10, and 17 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST. The webinar series will focus on topics designed to help cattle owners that have obligations other than cattle such as an off the farm job or crop farming. Farmers, 4-H members, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and those interested in beef cows are invited to attend. These presentations will include,
Thursday, November 3: Grazing strategies to reduce annual costs
Topics to be discussed: Grazing strategies and pasture set up to keep annual cost down with the overall goal of keeping things simple to maximize efficiency and save time.
Thursday, November 10: How to choose your calving season
Topics to be discussed: What should influence when you calve and how will that influence your marketing strategy? Considerations include scours, labor, time, and space.
Thursday, November 17: Winter housing – space requirements, feeding strategies, and spring scours
Topics to be discussed: The different options for housing cows in the winter and the
considerations you should make when setting up your system.
Pre-registration is required. Please register by visiting z.umn.edu/BeefOwner. You will receive a Zoom link following registration. You only have to register once, and you will be registered for all subsequent webinars. If you are unable to attend the live sessions, you will receive the recordings for all the sessions via email at the end of the series. Any questions please contact Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu.
As temperatures fall, home-invading insects come knocking
Click on the link for the complete article. https://z.umn.edu/85p8
Author: Marissa Schuh
State Master Gardener Volunteer Seed Trials
Carlton County Master Gardeners have been involved with this project for several years and are excited to share their findings. Click on the link to view the winners from 1982 to 2020. https://z.umn.edu/85vw
Spotted around the County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has spent nearly a century working on repairing swan numbers. In the 1930's the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established as a sanctuary for swans. The first breeding pairs were introduced in the 60's to help repopulate numbers.
As of 2020 it was estimated that there over 30,000 swans across the state of Minnesota. With such progress being seen to swan numbers, keep an eye out for migrating swans this fall!
-Information provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Carlton County 4H Federation to have Butter Braid Fundraiser
Soil Test Data Update
Carlton County offices will be closed on November 11, 24, and 25
Interested in learning more about Carlton County 4-H news and events?
Carlton County Extension Staff
Tracey Hartung, Administrative Specialist thartung@umn.edu
Katie Siltanen, 4-H Educator silta006@umn.edu
Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffe029@umn.edu
Ann Rust, Vol Coord & Horticulture Assist rustx048@umn.edu
Email: mnext-Carlton@umn.edu
Website: https://local.extension.umn.edu/local/carlton
Location: 317 Chestnut Avenue, Carlton, MN, USA
Phone: 218-384-3511
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UofMNExt