Extension Connection
July 2023
Announcing the Carlton County 2023 Farm Family of the Year
Each year the University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. Every county from across the state selects a local farm to celebrate. This year Carlton County is proud to recognize Happy Critters Farm, run by Joe and Amanda Lambert’s family.
Joe and Amanda established Happy Critters ten years ago, but both have been farming for much longer, growing up farming just down the road from each other. Amanda grew up on a beef cattle operation, while Joe started milking cows for the neighbors in elementary school and fell in love with the lifestyle. Joe started raising his own cattle when he was just 12 years old. After graduation, Joe pursued knowledge in agronomy down in Southern Minnesota to learn how large-scale farms operate. After returning home, Joe knew that he wanted to pursue a farming operation here, but do it his own way. He didn't want to use chemicals, and he wanted to be able to run a sustainable operation with our landscape.
Joe and Amanda purchased Amanda’s grandparent’s home and have brought the house and the operation to life. Happy Critters is operated using regenerative farming practices by caring for the animals and the land at the same time. All animals are raised on pasture to allow for a diverse diet, with plenty of space for expression of natural behaviors. They follow a rotational grazing pattern to both ensure continuation of grasses to feed the animals while restoring the soil health to leave the land better than they found it for the next generation.
Operating a farm takes a lot of hands. Joe focuses on the more hands-on portion with the livestock and Amanda takes on the responsibilities of the marketing side. Their three kids show their passion for farming and help participate in the farming activities, along with other family members who also help make their operation possible. Amanda enjoys working on the advertising for Happy Critters. She started spreading the word through a flier and then began to use social media as a tool. From here they built their website where people can make direct sales from them. They also have a newsletter that allows people to learn more about the operation and to stay up-to-date on farm happenings.
Happy Critters' entire business model of direct marketing sales is driven by Joe's passion in believing that food that is grown locally should be consumed locally. This is his best attempt at keeping food and profits within Carlton County. This doesn’t just apply to their sales; Happy Critters always supports other local farmers by using locally produced grains, when needed, and uses local processors in the area just to help keep the local economy local. They make sure consumers are eating the best possible pasture-raised pork, chicken, and grass-finished beef in the area.
When not farming, Joe and Amanda enjoy sharing their knowledge with the community. Amanda homeschools the children and opens the farm to numerous school tours and homeschool groups. They also hosted the Cloquet Library for story time on the farm to help expose youth to farming and agriculture. Joe and Amanda’s unique regenerative practices have inspired other farmers across our area to follow their lead, and Joe is often asked to speak on their practices. Joe has also served as a past SWCD board member.
Carlton County is proud to celebrate the Lambert Family and we are honored to recognize them for all their hard work and dedication.
Carlton County Garden Tour 2023
The Carlton County Master Gardeners have once again scheduled an amazing line-up for this year's tour! We will be showcasing 6 gardens in the Esko area. Highlights of the tour will be water features, a community garden with pollinator displays, heirloom gardens, a garden that was featured on PBS, a soil-less garden, fairy and gnome gardens, lot of fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and more.
This free self-guided tour will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm and will continue rain or shine. Flyers are available at the Extension Office or the Carlton County Master Gardener Facebook page. Maps will be available after July 7th at the same locations.
Arbor Week with area 4th grade students
Winter Storm Damage on Woodlands
With heavy snowfall across northeastern Minnesota this past winter, people who own and steward woodlands are seeing the impacts of this winter on our forests.
Join us for a free online webinar, July 14 from 12-1pm. Extension educators and local foresters will talk about the role of disturbance in Minnesota forests, the effects of winter storm damage on forest health, and strategies to manage woodlands damaged by heavy snowfall.
Please register here to receive the zoom link.
Research based Extension resources during a severe drought
Carlton County's most unwanted plants (Invasives Information)
“Invasive” is a relative term but the definition is very simple and pragmatic: Any non-native plant species that can escape into any non-cultivated growing site and expand its population by its own volition-fast or slow-and persists, is Invasive! Some are more aggressive than others, but any non-native plant that establishes itself is taking space that should belong to a native species.
Why should I care about invasive plants? Invasive species destroy habitat and food sources for native insects, birds and other wildlife and cost billions of dollars each year in damage and control. Residents should be on the lookout for these plants and learn ways to either eradicate or control them.
Particularly troublesome plants that have had ID and management requests at the Extension Office are: Japanese Knotweed, Buck thorn, Tansy, Spotted Knapweed, Garlic Mustard and Wild Parsnip.
The Minnesota DNR website has an “Invasive terrestrial plants” section that has a list of invasive plants and how to identify and manage them. The U of M Extension website also has information on this topic.
Some of these plants are listed as noxious weeds. This means that by Minnesota law either be eradicated, controlled or sold by permit only.
Article adapted from the Minnesota Wildflowers website.
Extension's Little Free Library needs help!
Carlton County Extension office holiday schedule
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). Youth 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.
Read this months 4-H newsletter to explore the opportunities waiting for you!
Carlton County Extension Staff
Tracey Hartung, Administrative Specialist thartung@umn.edu
Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffe029@umn.edu
Ann Rust, Vol Coord & Horticulture Assist rustx048@umn.edu
Katie Siltanen, 4-H Educator silta006@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/UMNExtensionCarltonAg/