Women in Ag Network conferences: February 7, 8:30pm-3:00pm Willmar Conference Center $75, early bird until January 16, $100 after that, $25 for students, register at z.umn.edu/WAGNconf please. The theme is ‘Building Farm and Family Resilience’ and includes keynote speaker Monica McConkie and her three breakout tracks, closing panel her discussion.
Cow/calf day: February 7, 9:30 am, Clear Springs Cattle Co., 30819 T-53, Starbuck. His 50th Annual Cow/Calf by the University of Minnesota Extension His Days Tour and Trade Show will take place in several locations. The event will feature information on the outlook and future direction of the cattle market, the simple things that add value, the integration of grazing and soil health, and vitamin and mineral nutrition. Open to the public for cattle/calf producers, representatives of related industries. The registration fee is $10 and includes meals, minutes, and program materials. For more information, visit extension.umn.edu/news/50-years-umn-extension-cow-calf-days or contact Eric Mousel (218-513-0781) or emmousel@umn.edu.
Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops webinar series. This free, live online program provides the latest research-based information to help you optimize your crop management strategy for 2023. It begins with a brief presentation by the discussion leader for the day, followed by a discussion centered around farmer/participant questions on this topic. For the full program series, register at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming Please give me. The session will be recorded and posted for later viewing. The next three sessions are:
- February 1: Breeding efforts for semi-dwarf maize and soybean cyst nematodes. Rex Bernardo, professor and endowed chair in corn breeding and genetics at the University of Minnesota, and his M University associate professor in charge of soybean breeding and genetics, Aaron Lorentz.
- February 8th: Are corn and soybean biologics logical? Seth Naeve, Extension Soybean Agronomist, Dan Kaiser, Extension Nutrition Specialist.
- February 15th: Weed management in an age of increasing herbicide resistance. Debalin Sarangi, Extended Weed Management Specialist.
Farm Relocation Planning Workshop: March 11, 8am-3pm, Minwest Technology Campus Auditorium, Wilmar, 25+, $150 per farm owner. Instructors are Samantha Nelson, David Nelson and Mark Santelmann. Register at Willmar Community Education (tce.me/icqFqM). Designed for owners who are serious about starting a farm transition and want to include their family members and heirs in the process. By exploring individual and team strengths, we focus on family dynamics to build personal resilience and manage stress during the transfer process. The second part will focus on case studies and logistical issues guided by the wisdom of local experts and experts experienced in farm relocation. The final part will focus on developing a practical farm transfer action plan for participants to use as a catalyst for the transfer effort. Our facilitation model centers around your family (or farm owner and heirs) first. Once the legacy is articulated, local resources can follow up to equip and empower them to realize their vision.
Pesticide sprayer test: March 6 and April 7, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District Office in Olivia. For testing requirements, check his website for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, call Ethan Dahl at 320-523-1550, ext. 101, or contact him at ethan.dahl@mn.nacdnet with any questions. Send an email to .net. The website is www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/pesticide-applicator-licensing.
Gardening from scratch: February 20-24, 1-2:30 pm, free, online. Educators at the University of Minnesota Extension host their fourth annual webinar series. His free virtual workshop focuses on trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Webinars will cover topics for curious novice gardeners and garden owners, from tree establishment to proper pruning techniques to pest management. A recording of the webinar will be sent at the end of the series.
Build Planty Things: Thursday, February 23, 5:45-6:45 PM, Jefferson Learning Center, 16+, Instructor Pam Vruwink, $20 per session, Register for Willmar Community Education. Do you enjoy do-it-yourself adventures? Create a variety of fun plant-related projects in this hands-on class. The course fee includes all necessary equipment. The February 23rd class is a forsypot for rooting cuttings. In the March 23rd class, plants are potted with moss balls and decorated on plates or hung in the air.The April 20th class is a ceramic planter that can be decorated.
Propagate your plants: Register for The Jefferson Learning Center, 16+, Instructor Pam Vruwink, $10, Willmar Community Education, Thursday, April 24, 5:45-6:45 PM. Want to grow your houseplant collection? Do you want to create new plants from existing plants? In this hands-on class, you will take fresh cuttings from syngonium plants (also known as arrowhead vines) and propagate the plants (seedless). Course fee includes cuttings, media and containers.
“Prairie Yard and Garden”: The 36th season of “Prairie Yards and Gardens” begins January 19 on Pioneer PBS. All shows will be available online at www.pioneer.org after the first show.
- February 2: Repeats on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, February 4th at 4:00 PM and Monday, February 6th at 1:00 PM. Host Mary Holm presents her “Udderly Beautiful” at Jackie Her Rickeman’s Flora Lawn Farm near Hutchinson. See her cows, flowerbeds and flower vases and experience her love for life on her farm.
- February 9th: Repeat on Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, February 11 at 4:00 PM, and Monday, February 13 at 1:00 PM. Minnesota-based Bailey His Nursery Debbie Ronnie discusses the best varieties and growing tips for these elegant plants with old-world charm.
Continue reading for more information on this week’s calendar items under Related Content.
Sibley Provincial Park: Vehicle permits are required to enter the park and are available online. Sibley Provincial Park is located just off Route 71 west of New London. For more information, visit the State Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Cross-country ski and snowmobile trail states available at dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.
- Number of wonderful backyard birds: February 18th from 11am to noon. Meet at the Interpretive Center and work with the Pondview Trail staff to identify and count as many birds as possible. If you have binoculars, please bring them. If you don’t have binoculars, contact Savannah at the Sibley Interpretive Center (320-354-2055) to borrow one from the park. The number is limited. If you can’t make the trail, stop by the Interpretive Center to check out your birding kit and turn in your count at the end of the day.
- Snowshoe hike: February 25, 11am-12:30pm Meet at the Interpretive Center for a snowshoe hike on the Pondview Trail. If you don’t have enough snow, do a winter hike instead. Please contact the Sibley Interpretive Center for updates one week in advance. Pre-registration is required as equipment is limited. To reserve a place, please contact the Sibley Interpretive Center at Savannah, 320-354-2055.
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center: The trails at the rural Spicer Center are free during the day. Check the www.prariewoodselc.org website for trail conditions. Adjacent to the pavilion is a bathroom with a composting toilet. Please keep pets on a leash. Pre-registration required for all classes. All equipment rentals (fat tire bikes, cross country skis, snowshoes, kick sleds) are processed based on bookings made at least 24 hours in advance. To reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon on Friday. Two-hour equipment rentals are $20 for adults, $10 for members, and $5 for all youth. Call 320-354-5894.
- climbing wall: February 7, 4:00-5:30 PM, $10 per session, grades K-12, pre-registration required. Challenge yourself physically and mentally at your own pace. Even beginners can learn about sports, exercise and have fun. Experienced climbers can train and hone their skills. An instructor will assist you and equipment will be provided. Additional dates are February 23rd, March 7th and March 23rd.
- Fun days in winter: February 12, 1-4pm, $5 per person, $20 max per family. Celebrate winter with outdoor activities for the whole family, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Scandinavian kick sledding, and fat tire biking. Indoors, you can warm up by the fire, learn about winter hobbies, or try a climbing wall. Dress up for an outdoor experience.
- Snowshoes: February 16, 4-5:30 PM, Grades 4-12, $10. Snowshoes allow you to explore beyond the “off the beaten path” and trails. Enjoy this magical adventure through tranquil forests and hills, and keep an eye out for the tracks and signs of your neighbors. Instructions and all equipment provided. Dress up for an outdoor experience.
- Pioneer Winter Survival: March 2, 4-6pm, Grades 3-6, $10. Do you have pioneer style to get you through the Minnesota winter? Come to the 1888 Cabin, dress like a pioneer, help saw wood, make candles, learn how to make a fire with flint and steel, snowshoe. or Scandinavian kick sledding and warm up with hot apple cider by the fire. Dress up for an outdoor experience.
Talking Lake State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park, and is available in the park by self-registration that evening. Lak Ki Pearl State Park is west of Watson. For more information, visit the State Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.
- Ice Talking Lake Luminary Hike: February 4, 6:30-8:00 PM The hike to the historic Works Progress Administration Warming Shelter is less than a mile on flat, snow-packed trails and is suitable for beginner-level hikers of all ages. Suitable for The trail is lined with ice lights that use real candles to illuminate the trail. Start at the Park Shop on the southwest side of the lake near the group camp. Hot chocolate and s’mores available at the historic shelter. For more information, email terri.dinesen@state.mn.us or call 320-734-4450, extension 229.
Fort Ridgely State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park south of Fairfax. For more information, visit the State Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Snowmobile trail conditions available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.
- Candlelight snowshoeing or walking: February 4th, 5-8pm Stop by anytime to snowshoe or hike as the stars twinkle overhead and candles flicker in the snow. The 1-mile trail that starts at the chalet is suitable for beginner-level snowshoeers and hikers of all ages. End the night with a cup of hot cocoa by the crackling bonfire. Roast sticks are available for visitors.
“Prairie Sportsman”: The 14th season of “Prairie Sportsman” begins January 22 on Pioneer PBS. All shows will be available online at www.pioneer.org after the first show.
- January 29th: Continues Sunday, January 29 at 7:30 PM, Monday, January 30 at 12:30 PM, and Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 PM. Host Brett Amundson presents the rainbow trout and ice-fishing “Coldwater His Trout” at the southeastern Minnesota Trout Hatchery.
- February 5th: Repeats on Sunday, February 5 at 7:30 PM, Monday, February 6 at 12:30 PM, and Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 PM. Go pheasant hunting at Worthington Wellhead and Yard for the Bees.