Pine Community Connector
January 2022
Welcome to Pine Community Connector!
4-H Cheese Fundraiser a Success
This fall, Pine County 4-H held its annual cheese fundraiser in partnership with Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. 4-H families sold over $13,000 in cheese. 4-H fundraisers support low-cost and free programs and scholarships for youth of Pine County. Thank you to all that sold and bought cheese to support the 4-H program and its youth!
4-H Family Cheese Sale Results:
1st Place Family Cheese Sales - Colsrud Family
2nd Place Family Cheese Sales - Oquist/Johnsen Family
3rd Place Family Cheese Sales - Gudilias Family
4-H Club Cheese Sale Results:
1st Place Club Cheese Sales - Sunnyside 4-H Club
2nd Place Club Cheese Sales - Ambitious Pines 4-H Club
3rd Place Club Cheese Sales - Kettle River Explorers
Lyme Disease Keynote Topic for Annual Pine County Horticulture Day - Saturday, March 19
Pine County Master Gardeners welcome everyone to attend their 18th Annual Horticulture Day on Saturday, March 19. The day begins with registration, coffee and exhibits at 8 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. at the Pine City High School.
"What Everyone Should Know About Lyme Disease" will be the keynote presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Maloney.
Breakout sessions include:
- “Cool-Weather Crops from the Kitchen Garden” by JoAnn Weaver, Crow Wing County Master Gardener
- “Planting Trees and Shrubs for a Changing Climate” by Paul Swanson, District Forester, Pine County SWCD
- “Flowers for Pollinators – Be Pollinator Friendly” by Kathy Rahkola, Carlton Count Master Gardener
- “Fall Planting of Spring Blooming Bulbs” by Sonya Burke, Hennepin County Master Gardener
Cost is $25 by March 14, $29 thereafter. Registration fee includes classes, handouts, lunch, exhibitors and door prizes.
To make it a COVID safe event, masks will be required, and we will socially distance. Registrants will be notified in case the event needs to be canceled due to COVID and fees will be refunded.
Registration forms will be available after January 31. After January 31, contact the Pine County Extension Office at 800-657-3813 Ext. #1 or download a brochure online from: extension.umn.edu/local/pine and click onto the “Gardening tab” and then “Events”.
Now hiring: Extension Educators, 4-H Youth Development
Full-time 4-H Youth Development position is available in Pine County with an anticipated start date of May 9, 2022.
Extension is an outreach arm of the University of Minnesota, making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources. Minnesota 4-H fosters vibrant, sustainable and resilient communities by building a force of engaged young people who are ready to learn and lead. We do this by creating experiences to develop youth as skilled communicators, innovators, and problem-solvers.
We seek passionate and dynamic leaders whose vision is to see all Minnesota youth thrive! We are looking for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and experience leading, teaching or managing youth programs. Experience may include a combination of employment, volunteer leadership and experience in youth development programs. Two years of experience is preferred.
The application deadline is February 1, 2022. The online application process and job description are available at z.umn.edu/4Heducators. Contact Nancy Hegland to learn more or ask questions nhegland@umn.edu. Learn more about 4-H at extension.umn.edu/4-H.
Growing and caring for poinsettias
Native to Mexico, poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family and are a popular holiday plant because of their colorful bracts (leaves). There is also a species that is used as a cut flower. They are most commonly used for decorating during the winter holidays, but are also attractive as green plants throughout the year.
The holidays are over and a common question is, "How can I make my poinsettia rebloom?"
Poinsettias can be grown as attractive green plants, but most people are interested in making their green poinsettia colorful again and ready for the holidays.
It is not an easy task, as it requires excluding light from the plant for a period of time while keeping the plant healthy. The reduction in light prevents the plant from producing chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plant parts green. This changes the bracts to red, pink or white, depending on the poinsettia variety.
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension professor emeritus at the University of Vermont and author of Caring for Your Poinsettia Year-Round, developed an easy-to-follow poinsettia care calendar based on the holidays of the year.
Visit the University of Minnesota Extension website for more information on Growing and Caring for Poinsettias.
Recognizing our Outstanding 4-H'ers and Volunteers
On November 22, youth and adults were recognized at Pine County 4-H’s Annual Recognition Night in Hinckley. Recognition Night celebrates the accomplishments of 4-H’ers and volunteers from the previous year.
Congratulations to all of our award winners!
1st Year Members
Jacob A; Christian A; Gauge C; Gage C; Jase C; Paige C; Joe C; Leif C; Benjamin C; Luke C; Lucy D; Lillian F; Anna H; Genevieve J; Bella J; Kaitlynn J; Hailey K; Katelynn M; Josephine M; Brooklyn M; Brynlee O; Kaylie P; Ryer P; Sofia R; Aubreigh R; Kiera R; Nolan S; Dejay S; Alice S; Lindy T; Jayden V; George W; Emily W; Mary W
5 Year Members
Natalie A; Major B; Joseph B; Jacob C; Justin C; Hunter C; Christopher K; Levi K; Lydia K; Maxzavere L; Gemini L; Kennedy R; Karleigh R; Alicia S; Lanaya V; Emma W
10 Year Members
Ian D; Adam N; Annie R; Hallie R; Shayla S; Daisy K
5 Year Volunteers
Dave C; Lorrie C; Timarie J; Barbara K; Julie S; Wendy T
10 Year Volunteers
Tricia R; Sherry R; Amanda W
15 Year Volunteer
Lorelei F
Cloverbud Graduates
Alex A; Christian A; Rachel B; Summer B; Donny C; Adeline F; Genevieve J; Milo K; Kynleigh R; Alayna S; Nolan S
High School Graduates
William C; Jana Leger; Nathanael M; Jada O; Hallie R
Extra Mile Award
Megan D
Outstanding Youth Leader
Austin S
Outstanding Adult Leader
Jessica O
Volunteer to be an iNaturalist verifier
Learn more about transitioning your land and estate planning
State Forest Nursery looking for jack pine, red pine, and black spruce cones
To help meet the state’s reforestation goals for 2022, the Minnesota DNR is seeking cone collectors. “Gathering cones is a great outdoor activity that helps us plant future forests,” says Forestry Silviculture Program Coordinator Mike Reinikainen, “plus it’s a good way to make some extra money”. Cone collectors can earn $20 to $150 per bushel, depending on species. The Nursery will be purchasing black spruce through February 2022. Gather cones on your own property or on State Forest land. Before heading out, contact one of the DNR seed drop off locations for more information.
Moving In, Moving Out, and Moving Over webinar - January 27
Leading Economic Transformation
University of Minnesota Extension calendar of events
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
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