Pine Community Connector
July 2022
Welcome to Pine Community Connector!
Pine County Farm Family of the Year - Abraham's Table Farm
“Grocery stores are full of confusing and impersonal options. But it's still impossible to be sure the food you buy is actually what it claims to be or even healthy at all. You shouldn't have to feel uncertain about the food you put in your body.” These words from Abraham’s Table Farm ring true for many people. If you ever wonder where your food comes from and how it was raised, then perhaps you should look into getting your food from Pine County’s Farm Family of the Year.
Abraham’s Table Farm was started from the ground up by Joel and Megan Barr. After graduating from college, the couple decided to work on an organic farm and discovered their passion for healthy eating and nutrition. They moved to Minnesota and settled into their current operation a few years ago, impressively without loans. Meanwhile, they found a place within their community actively educating all ages about farming, especially organic and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farming.
Joel and Megan’s farm comprises roughly 20 acres, that of which is mostly for organic vegetable farming. The rest is used for producing free-range, soy-free, organic eggs and chicken as well as grass-fed beef. They wanted their four daughters to grow up with a background in agriculture, but more importantly, with healthy food and nutrition. They also focus on getting feed from local producers so that they can ensure what goes into making the feed and to support other producers in the community. Lastly, a major area of focus for the farm is soil health. They regularly add compost and macronutrients to increase fertility and sustainability.
Abraham’s Table Farm also plays a huge role in their community, whether it’s teaching, coaching, being a part of a band, or inviting others to their home. They make it a priority to teach students about sustainability, nutrition, organics, and farming. That includes the science and business aspects of farming too. Teaching others about the advantages as well as the disadvantages of running an operation like their own will instill a passion for agriculture in a new generation. Joel works with Osprey Wilds (an environmental learning center) on a new parcel of donated land to help them start farming and producing healthy food for their campers and guests.
If you’d like to learn more or order food from Abraham’s Table Farm you can go to abrahamstablefarm.com or follow them on Facebook.
Welcome Sarah Odendahl, Pine County 4-H Extension Educator
Sarah Odendahl has accepted the Pine County 4-H Extension Educator position and started on Monday, May 9.
Sarah grew up in Pine County and graduated with the class of 2009 from Pine City High School. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead and has professional background in theater, hospitality, environmental education, and youth development. Sarah has been a 4-H Extension educator in Scott County since 2018 and is excited to return home and join Pine County 4-H this spring.
Sarah can be reached via email at sodendah@umn.edu or by phone: office 320-591-1654 | cell 320-591-0692.
Welcome Kristin Riley, Pine County SNAP-Ed Educator
Kristin Riley is a registered dietitian (RD) with over eight years of professional experience in the nutrition field. Most of that time was spent working as a nutrition specialist for several different Head Start organizations. She earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with an emphasis in public health nutrition from the University of Minnesota and has an undergraduate degree in communication from the College of St. Benedict. Kristin is passionate about nutrition education. She believes that anyone’s quality of life can be significantly improved by consistently making healthy lifestyle choices that nourish the mind, body and spirit. Kristin enjoys being in nature and likes taking walks, bicycling or kayaking in the summer.
Kristin can be reached by email at riley205@umn.edu or by phone at 763-218-7743.
Welcome Allan Chute, Pine County 4-H Summer Intern
Pine County 4-H summer intern, Allan Chute, started on Monday, May 23. We are thrilled to have him joining us! You can reach Allan at chute025@umn.edu or 320-591-1652.
Hi. I’m Allan Chute and I am the 4-H Youth Development intern in Pine County this summer. I am a junior at South Dakota State University where I am studying Agricultural Education. I was very active in 4-H as a youth. I have shown almost every livestock species and I am particularly experienced with beef cattle and dairy goats. I am excited to work with 4-H and look forward to getting to know Pine County’s 4-H families.
Welcome Paige VanderWerff, Interim Ag Educator, Pine and Isanti County Extension
Hello! My name is Paige VanderWerff, and I will be the Interim Extension Educator in Pine and Isanti Counties this summer. This will be my third summer with the University of Minnesota Extension. I was previously an Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Intern in Murray and Pipestone Counties in 2020 and 2021. I am so excited to join UMN Extension for another summer.
A little bit about me and my background. I'm originally from southern Wisconsin. I grew up working on a dairy farm and I moved to Marshall, MN for college. Recently, I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a degree in Agriculture Education with a minor in Agriculture Business Management. This fall I will be an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Lac Qui Parle Valley School district. Personally, I raise a few Black Angus cow calf pairs, Cornish Cross chickens, and a large garden. I process all of my chickens and vegetables. I enjoy raising and preserving my own food. In addition, I enjoy camping, cooking, and traveling.
I will be working on outreach and education for Pine and Isanti Counties this summer and will be working mostly remote. I will also be providing technical assistance on the Farm Information Line and will be teaming up with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on drought relief paperwork. I will also do a variety of in-person events and will visit Pine and Isanti a couple of times this summer. I will be touching base with the Isanti County Master Gardeners and Lower St. Croix Watershed to discuss current needs and activities. I am looking forward to all the opportunities this summer!
Please feel free to contact me at vand1797@umn.edu or 608-228-4314.
Coming Soon: 4-H at the Pine County Fair
Are you ready for rides and ribbons? The Pine County Fair is on its way! 4-H members look forward to one of the biggest events of the year where they can display their hard work while making memories with friends.
There are many opportunities to support 4-H youth at the fair. Say hello! We can’t wait to connect with our community during five days of fun.
Make a stop at the 4-H Food Stand to grab pancakes for breakfast, a cheeseburger for lunch, or pie for a mid-day snack. All proceeds from the Food Stand go directly to supporting youth learning and leadership opportunities.
Come down to the 4-H Exhibit Hall to view projects our members have worked hard on all year. Learn about how projects are judged, see our purple ribbon exhibits, and discover all the topics you can explore in 4-H.
- Say hello to our animals in the barn. 4-H members and volunteers will be available to answer your questions about 4-H Animal Science projects. Then join us for animal shows and live judging throughout the week.
4-H schedule at the Pine County Fair
Wednesday, August 3
8am Dog Agility show at the Grandstand
4pm Cat & Pet show at the Harry Haug Arena
Thursday, August 4
9am Horse show at the Horse Arena
3pm Sheep, Beef, and Meat Goat show at the Harry Haug Arena and Swine show in the Swine Barn
Friday, August 5
9am Poultry show at the Small Animal Barn
10am Rabbit show at the Small Animal Barn
10am Dairy and Dairy Goat show at the Harry Haug Arena
2:30pm Animal Costume Contest at the Harry Haug Arena
4pm Horse Fun Show at the Horse Arena
Sunday, August 7
Round Robin Showmanship competition at the Harry Haug Arena
1:30pm Music in Motion show at the Horse Arena
1:30pm 4-H Livestock Auction.
- Support our livestock project members. Blue ribbon market animals and ribbons will be on the auction block, with all proceeds supporting 4-H youth. For more information about becoming a bidder, please contact Sarah at 320-591-1654 or sodendah@umn.edu.
Pine County Welcomes New 4-H Staff
Community members made a warm welcome for new 4-H Extension educator Sarah Odendahl and 4-H summer intern Allan Chute at an Open House on June 27. Staff had the opportunity to talk with 4-H members and families, answer questions from potential 4-H members, and connect with community leaders.
Allan began working for Pine County 4-H in late May and will be with the program until mid-August, when he will return to his studies at South Dakota State University. Sarah began her role on May 9. She grew up in Pine City and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead. Sarah returns to Pine County after 3.5 years providing leadership to the Scott County 4-H program. She can be reached at sodendah@umn.edu or 320-591-1654.
Pine County 4-H fair registration deadline soon approaching
Registration
4-H project registration deadline for the Pine County Fair is soon approaching. Register your 4-H projects now in FairEntry. This step in preparing for the fair is where you tell us what type and how many projects (entries) you will be bringing to the fair for judging.
Visit http://pine-mn.fairentry.com to start your fair registration. You will sign in using the same email and password you use for enrollment in 4-H Online. Follow the steps in this user guide to register your projects. If you do not have good internet access, contact Roxanne at rlorvis@umn.edu or 320-591-1651 for a paper entry registration form.
Premium Book
The Pine County 4-H premium book is available at z.umn.edu/PinePremium. It contains descriptions, requirements, examples, and other important information for each of the classes (project areas) that you can enter a project. If you would like a printed copy of this book, please contact Roxanne. Please note that Minnesota 4-H made many changes to general project areas this year, so be sure to read through the project areas you are interested in.
There are limits to the number of projects you can register. The maximum number of entries in each general project area (class) is three. Animal Science projects are limited to one entry per class (an entry is defined as 1 animal or 1 pen as allowed in rabbits and poultry).
Registration Deadline
The deadline to register your projects is Thursday, July 7. Your registration must be submitted through FairEntry by 11:59pm, or a paper version must be either postmarked or dropped off at the office by 4:30pm on July 7. Entries that are not submitted by the deadline will still be welcome at the fair, but will not be eligible for champion ribbons, State Fair/state show trips, or the livestock auction.
If you have any questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 320-591-1651 or email Sarah at sodendah@umn.edu. We are happy to help you.
Visit the Pine County Master Gardeners at the Farmers Market, Art Fest and County Fair
Bring your gardening questions and learn about the Discovery Garden project at the Pine County Master Gardener’s booth at the Pine City Farmers Market each Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The market is located at the Pine County Fairgrounds in Pine City.
The master gardeners will also have a booth at the Pine City Art Fest on Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can also visit with them at their booth at the Pine County Fair at the east end of the older Commercial Building August 4-7.
At their “Ask a Master Gardener” booth you will be able to learn about Jumping Worms, Spotted Winged Drosophila Flies, and other gardening topics. Also, learn about the new and exciting Discovery Garden (formerly the Rotary Garden) that they are renovating and redesigning with the City of Pine City on the north end of Main Street. They are doing this project in honor of the late Pine City Flower Box flower shop owner and Pine County Master Gardener Cindy Novy, to add beauty to the city and as an educational garden for the community.
The master gardeners are currently raising funds to complete the Discovery Garden project. If you would be willing to donate, you can do so at the Master Gardener booth or contact Pine County Master Gardener Program Coordinator Terry Salmela at salme002@umn.edu
Drought Relief Application Assisance - Deadline July 6
You may qualify if answer YES to any of the following questions, you may be eligible.
- Did you have to repair a well or dig a new well last year?
- Did you have to pay for labor for watering because if the drought?
- Did you have to haul water from off the farm to keep plants alive because of the drought?
- Did you have to buy more hay because of the drought?
- Did you have to get your livestock pen dredged due to the drought?
- Did you have to acquire more material in order to protect plants from drought?
The application can be completed online, email, or mailed. This application is due on Wednesday, July 6. If you have any questions about the Drought Relief Program or questions about completing the paperwork, please call Paige at (608)228-4314 or emailing at vand1797@umn.edu.
Join Pine Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) for a Conservation Cookout
Breakout Sessions Include:
- Direct marketing meat
- Transitioning from cow/calf pairs to feeder cattle
- Rotational winter bale grazing
Dinner includes: Burgers (from beef and lamb raised on site), chips, potato salad, and more!
Stay for live music by Heartbreak Affair following the event. This event will be held rain or shine, bring your own chair or picnic blanket.
RSVP to Grace at 320-216-4247 or grace.guyette@co.pine.mn.us.
Midseason vegetable update: How are our gardens growing?
We are approaching halfway through the growing season. You may be done harvesting some of your early spring veggies like peas, radishes, and lettuce and finding yourself with some newly available space.
There are plenty of things you can still plant at this point in your garden, as you make space after harvesting your spring vegetables. Some great options for late summer and early fall harvest include:
- Herbs
- Peas
- Broccoli, cabbage, and other Brassicas
- Carrots and beets (make sure to use short-season varieties)
- Garlic, onions, radish, spinach
Garden and hardware stores put many warm-season annuals like summer squash and cucumber transplants on sale. While it’s a bit late to start these vegetables from seed, you can still likely plant transplants and get vegetables before the first frost.
Consider planting a cover crop
Many of us get busy late in the summer. So, if you’re feeling like you’re ready to spend a bit less time in your garden, or if you just want to improve your soil health, a cover crop is a great way to go.
Check out our cover crops in vegetables guide to help you choose the right cover crop for your space and goals.
Water wisely
If we experience a drought this summer like last, here are some watering reminders. For vegetable crops that produce fruit (tomatoes, peppers, etc.), as well as those that produce edible bulbs and roots (onions, potatoes, carrots), these next few weeks are the critical period for irrigation.
During this period of fruit, root and bulb formation, plants need very consistent moisture to avoid physiological issues like blossom end rot and hollow heart.
Make sure you continue to water wisely: water in the mornings, water at the base of the plants and use mulches to keep your soil moist.
Keep notes
This time of year, you really start to notice problems, as well as the things you did right. By keeping good notes, you can avoid repeating your mistakes next year. Here are some examples of notes to take to inform next year’s management decisions:
- My squash is taking over the whole garden! Plant fewer squash next year or build a better trellis.
- My carrots have aster yellows — look for resistant varieties next year.
- I really like this tomato variety — it’s compact and a good fit for the space available in my garden.
- The bees seem to love the cosmos I planted. Make sure to plant more next year.
Look out for late-season insects
You’ve probably noticed that insects have been very abundant this year. Continue to monitor for and manage the insects you’ve been seeing all along like caterpillars in your Brassicas and cucumber beetles.
At this point in the season, we also start to see some of the later season insects like squash bug and squash vine borer in cucurbits, bean beetles, and the occasional hornworm in tomatoes.
For most home gardeners, one of the best options is to simply scout for eggs on a regular basis and squish them, and to knock adult insects into soapy water.
If you need help identifying an insect or another issue, you can use the tools What insect is this? and What’s wrong with my plant? Or you can Ask Extension for assistance.
Author: Natalie Hoidal, Extension educator, local foods, and vegetable production
5 tips for managing biting insects on horse farms
Biting insects found on horse farms can spread disease; cause hives, skin sores, and hoof damage from stomping; and create an unpleasant environment for horses and owners. Here are five tips to help you manage flies and mosquitoes on your farm.
- Keep it clean. Routinely remove organic matter including manure, soiled bedding, and spilled feed or waste hay from horse areas. Spreading or composting these materials will prevent fly development. Managing organic matter on horse farms is the best way to help control flies.
- Manage water sources. Overturn or discard objects that collect and hold rainwater such as buckets and old tires. Clean water tanks often and drain rainwater pooled in paddocks, alleyways, or arenas. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water sources.
- Provide a physical barrier between bugs and your horse. Fly sheets, masks, and boots can help shield your horse from biting flies. Fly boots can also reduce stomping and head movement to avert flies. Additionally, screening barn doors and windows can help keep bugs out. Lastly, turning horses indoors overnight can limit mosquito pressure on horses.
- Use fly repellants for temporary relief. Citronella products including sprays and leg bands can reduce fly avoidance behaviors in horses. Always carefully read and follow label instructions when using fly repellants on your horse. Dirt, sweat, and water can reduce the effectiveness of fly repellants and may make reapplication necessary.
- Target sites where flies perch as a fallback. After managing organic matter around your farm, you can apply residual insecticides where flies perch (e.g., barn walls or ceilings)––these sites are speckled brown with fly waste. Residual insecticides last longer when applied to clean surfaces. Always carefully read and follow label instructions when using insecticides.
Visit our website for more information on identifying and managing flies and other biting insects on horse farms.
How to build a compost pile
For a successful compost pile that will heat up and decompose materials within a few months, make sure it is at least 3-feet by 3-feet by 3-feet in size. Here’s how to build it:
1. Start the pile with a base of small twigs or chopped brush set on top of the soil. This will allow air to circulate beneath the compost pile.
2. Next, add a 3-4 inch layer of damp green materials, such as spent plants or kitchen waste. On top of that add a 4-6-inch layer of dry brown materials, such as dried leaves.
3. Cover the brown layer with a 1-inch layer of garden soil or finished compost. This will introduce the microbes needed to help the materials break down.
4. Repeat this layering process until the compost pile is finished. You may be working on your pile all through the season, then let it rest and decompose over winter.
5. Your compost is finished when the pile cools off and has shrunk by about half in size. The compost will be brown, crumbly and have and earthy fragrance.
What Not to Compost
- Plants with disease or insect infestations
- Plants treated with pesticides, including grass clippings
- Invasive weeds
- Weeds that have gone to seed
- Dog or cat feces
- Meat or fish leftovers
- Whole bones
- Dairy products
- Grease, fat or oils
- Sawdust from treated wood
- Whole eggs (shells are OK)
This information from Terry Yockey originally appeared in the June 2004 issue of Northern Gardener.
Pine County Ag Producers, we want to hear from you!
Agriculture is a big part of our communities and the University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension would like to hear your opinion on what topic areas or agricultural issues you have in your area. What kind of educational opportunities are important to you and what programs do you want to see continue? Help us better serve the agricultural needs in Pine and Isanti Counties!
Complete the Pine-Isanti County Ag survey or, scan the QR code for the survey link.
Two for You video series
Looking for positive psychology tips and tools to fuel your leadership?Two for You is a series of two-minute videos. Watch the full series on YouTube.
Contact
Katie Hagen, Ag Educator, 320-591-1662
Kristin Riley, SNAP-Ed Educator, 320-591-1656
Terry Salmela, Master Gardener Coordinator, 320-591-1653
Roxanne Orvis, Administrative Assistant, 320-591-1651
Susanne Hinrichs, NE Regional Director, 218-828-2286
Email: mnext-pine@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/local/pine
Location: 635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Pine City, MN, USA
Phone: 800-657-3813