Pine & Isanti County Ag. Update
Agriculture, Horticulture, & Natural Resources
Your Ag, Hort, & Natural Resource Extension Educator - Katie Hagen
My dad really loves his farm. If he could stay home every day of the week and never leave, other than his morning coffee at the local café, he would be happy. This doesn't mean he hasn't had his share of challenges and frustrations in nearly 60 years of farming. The work seems to just keep coming and chores are an everyday thing.
This article, called Life Lessons from the Farm from AgDaily, had me thinking about our family farm and the lessons I have learned over the years. I try to practice this with my own family on our little hobby farm. Frankly, I think everyone should learn these lessons from the farm, whether you farm or not. The article has 24 different lessons, but here are a few that struck me as especially important at this time of year.
- There is always something to do. Always. Never will we ever be caught up.
- Get away once a year at least. Leave the farm. Get perspective. Learn and grow. Rest.
- In a committed relationship, there must be time for each other regardless of the fact the work will never be done.
- Food will fix bad moods almost instantly.
As we approach the holiday season, remember that sometimes the work that needs to be done, NEEDS to be put aside for a day. The equipment that needs fixing, the cattle that need to be sorted, and hay that needs to be stacked can be put on hold. Take some time to have a fun day with your kids and/or grandchildren. Take your spouse to a movie and dinner. Go on vacation to somewhere tropical. Lastly, eat the delicious foods of the holiday season, enjoy the time spent with the people you love, and rest up for the spring.
University Resources Made For You
Farm Finances
- General balances sheets & income statements
- Cash flows and equities and ratios and measurements
- Dairy farm finance including margins, productions costs, robotics, and other opportunities
- Crop farm finance including budgets, yields, crop insurance, and cover crop considerations
Learn more on farm finances using the extension website.
Why Should We Test Our Soil?
Upcoming Events
Get ready for more opportunities and events. Here is what you can look forward to in Pine and Isanti Counties this fall.
Nitrogen Smart Online
Where & When: Online training at your own pace; self-guided
- Free of cost thanks to MN Corn Growers
- Learn about sources of nitrogen (N) for crops, how nitrogen is lost from soil and reducing losses, and other management practices for nitrogen
- Register Online
November 3, 2022 (Thursday) - Biochar Soil Amendment Demonstration
Where & When: Cloquet Public Works Gravel Yard (410 Armory Road, Cloquet, MN 55720) @ 9 AM-12 PM
- In partnership with the City of Cloquet and Carlton SWCD
- Open to the public
- No registration required
- Oregon kilns to make biochar from buckthorn
November 3, 10, & 17, 2022 (Thursday) - Beef Cattle Webinar Series
Where & When: Webinar @ 8 PM-9 PM
- Three series include: Cattle grazing strategies to reduce annual costs, How to choose your calving season, and Winter housing for cattle
- You only need to register once to be registered for the entire series.
- Farmers, 4-H members, ag business professionals, and those interested in beef cows are invited to attend.
- Free of cost
- Register Online
2023 Pine & Isanti Counties' Annual Corn & Soybean Conference
When: March 2, 2023 @ 8 AM - 2 PM
Where: Braham Event Center - Braham, MN
Cost: $10 registration fee at the door
Registration: Sign Up Here!
Description:
This conference is for those farming or working in East Central Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension specialists will give updates on the latest research done for corn and soybeans, discuss finances pertaining to crop production, relay how to increase corn production while also considering our natural resources, and discuss soybean production, physiology research focused yield, and seed quality enhancement.
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Other agricultural organizations, such as NRCS, FSA, and FBM will have display tables.
Audience:
Are you a crop or livestock producer that grows corn and/or soybeans? Do you work with individuals that grow these crops? This conference is intended for ag professionals, crop producers, and livestock producers who grow corn and/or soybeans.
November 13, 2022 (Monday) - Worker Protection Standard
Where & When: Webinar @ 12:30 PM-1:30 PM
- Webinar covers aspects of who it applies to, how to comply, training and record-keeping requirements, where to find resources, and so much more!
- Register online
- Free of cost
November 22, 2022 (Tuesday) - Latest Rules for Fall Tax Planning
Where & When: Webinar @ 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
- Extension Ag Business Specialist Rob Holcomb will discuss charitable gifting, borrowing and lending tax issues, newly acquired farm assets, farm rental property, and more.
- Register Online
- Free of Cost
November 10, 2022 (Thursday) - Isanti County Master Gardener Monthly Educational Meeting
- Learn more about indoor gardening with Julie Annis
- All you need to know for gardening during the winter months
Ag. Topic of the Month
Depression in Rural Places
What is mental health?
What are the stressors?
One of the biggest challenges or stressors facing today's farmers is losing the family farm. This is the ultimate loss that brings on the feeling of shame and deep sadness that you were the generation that let down the family who worked the land before you, as well as the generation that would have inherited the farm after you. I have heard countless stories about someone taking their life due to this situation.
Another stress is the loss of family and friends that have been in your rural town for many years, whether they moved away, sold their farm, or passed away, it can make you feel stressed and isolated. These people shared morning coffee at the café or helped harvest when an extra hand was needed. Connections to others in agricultural positions, like your own, is important for people's mental health.
Additionally, being a parent is stressful enough, but stress is added when rural places don't have many options for daycare or healthcare providers. Here is my personal story.
We found out our daycare provider was leaving the business. Having two kids under the age of two, it was nearly impossible to find daycare in rural Pine County where they could be together. We found one place with openings for them both, but cost $22,000 a year! Then we found a daycare that could take our 19 month old, but not our 3 month old. We had a spot held anyway. I continued searching for options, but without luck. Then I get a call from the daycare where we had a spot held. They had someone drop out in the infant room therefore having an opening. I quickly said we would take it, but I have no idea where we would be today if I didn't. I called over five daycares in the area, all of which had no room!
Since our kids are very young, they are getting sick all the time. Most the time it's a cold or something they just need to let pass through their system, but sometimes it's more threatening and help is needed right away. We live a half hour away from the hospital and one night my son had croup. He was taking deep, raspy, seal-like breaths and having coughing fits because he couldn't get enough air. I tried to keep him calm on the way because the more upset he was, the worse the breathing. He didn't understand what was happening to him, he just knew he really didn't feel good and was scared. We arrived, he got his medication, but it took a mental toll on my husband and me.
What are the signs and symptoms?
These stressors listed above can increase risks from obesity, depression and opioid addiction to suicide and interpersonal violence.
How to cope with rural/farm stress?
- Promote social connections
- Share your farming knowledge, mentor someone
- Learn more about farming practices through educational opportunities
- Get off the farm, visit local businesses
- Take pride in caring for livestock, crops, natural resources, etc.
- Be creative with the resources available
Who to contact if you are struggling with depression?
Need immediate help?
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Throughout Minnesota: call **CRISIS (**274747)
- Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” to 741741
- NAMI-MN Crisis Resources
- Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is free, confidential and available 24/7. This call center is located in Minnesota. Calls are answered by trained staff and volunteers. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts — call. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't know. 1-833-600-2670 x 1
Looking for more resources?
Check out the Extension Webpage - Coping with Rural Stress
Connect With Us
Contact Me
Katie Hagen
Extension Educator, Agriculture Production, Horticulture & Natural Resources
Email: hagen@umn.edu
UM Ext Isanti County
555 18th Ave. SW
Cambridge, MN 55008
763-689-8254
UM Ext Pine County, County Courthouse
635 Northridge Dr NW #280
Pine City, MN 55063
320-591-1650
Farm Family of the Year Nominations!
If you have a candidate in mind, please fill out the Google Form. We are looking for candidates that have a strong and positive presence in the agricultural community, use sustainable agricultural practices, and have a high level of community involvement!
Listen live on the radio Friday of every other week @ 100.9 WCMP & Nice 95.5 KBEK