Recently in the Learning Opportunities Category

Wayne Martin, Extension Educator, Alternative Livestock Systems

Sheep are a great animal to raise on farms both large and small, and many people will agree that large numbers aren't necessary to make it worthwhile. According to the USDA Statistical Service (NASS) numbers released for 2011, of all sheep operations in the USA, 94% of those were comprised of flocks in the range of 1-99 head. For the 2007 USDA Census, of the 2,522 Minnesota farms reporting sheep inventory, 2,238 farms had fewer than 99 sheep.

Sheep numbers continue to decline throughout the USA, while demand remains strong. In response to increased interest, the Small Farms U Program at the University of Minnesota is offering a workshop on basic lambing management practices that will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 9:30-12:30 p.m., on the St Paul Campus, at the Beef Cattle Barn, located on the corner of Buford and Gortner Avenues.

This workshop is designed for the person who has little experience raising sheep, but is thinking about starting a flock, or who already has a few sheep but feels that more management skills would be a worthy investment. It will be taught by Kyle Rozeboom, Livestock Specialist in the Animal Science Department, and Wayne Martin, Alternative Livestock Systems Specialist with Extension. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to the following:

Ewe Care
Housing/facilities
Lamb Management Practices

Registration begins at 9:00 with coffee and snacks. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Cost of the workshop is $20/adult, $30/couple or business partners, and $10/student. Please contact Wayne Martin at marti067@umn.edu, or (612) 625-6224.

Betsy Wieland
Extension Educator, Hennepin County &
USDA SARE Minnesota Co-Coordinator

A full brochure for this program can be viewed at: http://z.umn.edu/2013urbanagexpo.

The 2013 Urban Agriculture Expo will be held on April 20th, 2013 at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis, MN. The Expo will be from 9:00am - 1:30pm, with educational seminars beginning at 9:30am. This event is for those who currently have an urban farming enterprise, are considering starting one, are supporters of urban farming, or are just curious to learn more. No preregistration is required for the event. There is suggested donation of $5 to attend.

The 2013 Expo will include three different topic categories; growing topics, business topics, and people topics. The growing topics will include water management, unique growing systems, and soils management. The business topics will include record keeping skills and tips, understanding your cost of production, and assessing which market option is right for you. Lastly, people topics will include updates in local food policies, the Urban Agriculture Alliance, and engaging communities around you.

For an informational brochure about the Expo with a schedule please visit http://z.umn.edu/2013urbanagexpo
There will be vendors to visit with as well. Vendors will include governmental agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations that support urban agriculture in a variety of ways. Those interested in reserving a vendor booth may do so online for $40 at http://www.regonline.com/UrbanAg. Credit card or check accepted.

Sabathani Community Center is located at 310 East 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409. Directions are located on their website at www.sabathani.org/contact_us.aspx.

The 2013 Urban Agriculture Expo is possible thanks to generous sponsorship by NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and the University of Minnesota Extension in Hennepin County.

Questions or comments may be directed to Betsy Wieland, Agriculture Extension Educator, at 612-596-1175 or eliza003@umn.edu.

Mike Donnelly, Extension Educator, Rice & Steele Counties

A full brochure for this program can be viewed at: http://z.umn.edu/2013smallfarmspoultry.

The University of Minnesota Extension's Small Farms Team is inviting those interested backyard and small-scale poultry to attend their new educational program packed with production and marketing information. The 3-hour workshop will be held on March 7 in Slayton, March 11 in Hutchinson and March 26 in Northfield. The program will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. at each location. The cost is $20.00 for adults (spouses and business partners $10.00) and $10.00 for students. A light meal will be provided and attendees will receive a copy of the workshop's proceedings.

The program's agenda is filled with multiple topics geared towards the needs of the beginning farmer, hobbyist or backyard producer and those who would like to raise birds on a small commercial enterprise. Presenters will discuss specifics related to local laws and ordinances, breed and species selection and management techniques. Additionally, marketing direct to consumers or supplying local coops, grocery stores, and restaurants will be covered. Whether for fun, profit or both, this workshop is for you! A complete agenda is outlined here:

• Best Breeds to Fit Your Needs, and Where to Purchase
• Proper Housing, Nutrition, and Predator Control
• Processing Regulations/Food Safety and Handling
• Economics and Marketing
• Zoning ordinances for Urban and Rural Settings

The small-scale and backyard poultry is emerging throughout all parts of Minnesota. To accommodate this growing sector of agriculture, the University of Minnesota Extension is offering this workshop at three locations throughout Southern Minnesota. Location specifics include the following:

Slayton - Thursday, March 7 - 6:00 p.m.
Courts Building Meeting Room
2848 Broadway Ave
Slayton, MN 56172
Contact: Mike Boersma, Extension Educator - boers010@umn.edu or 507-825-6715

Hutchinson - Monday, March 11 - 6:00 p.m.
Commercial Building Meeting Room
McLeod County Fairgrounds
840 Century Ave SW
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Contact: Nathan Winter, Extension Educator - wint0146@umn.edu or 320-484-4334

Northfield - Tuesday, March 26 - 6:00 p.m.
Community Resource Center
1651 Jefferson Parkway
Northfield, MN 55057
Contact: Mike Donnelly, Extension Educator - donne099@umn.edu or 507-332-6165

Those who are interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register to assist with meal count and handouts; however walk-ins will be welcomed. To pre-register, please contact the Rice County Extension office at 507-332-6109 or email Mike Donnelly at donne099@umn.edu. For more information and to view the full view the full brochure, please visit http://z.umn.edu/2013smallfarmspoultry.

By: Julie Sievert, Extension Educator, Sibley County
Christian Lilienthal, Extension Educator, Nicollet County
Mike Donnelly, Extension Educator, Rice & Steele Counties

Do you have the dream of owning acreage in the country? Do you have an existing acreage that is in need of a plan and strategies for the best possible results? The Living on the Land Workshop Series, offered by University of Minnesota Extension, will equip you with the education and resources to be successful.

The eight-week course is designed to arm landowners with agricultural information to enable them to be good stewards of their land. The course will begin with goal-setting and individual property inventory, then address soil, plant, water and animal basics.

The Living on the Land curriculum addresses a growing need for information regarding small acreages. The series incorporates knowledge and experience from a team of instructors to address topics including: what do you have and what do you want, what you can do with your land, protecting water quality, what to do about weeds, lawn and pasture maintenance, getting down and dirty with soils, and caring for and managing your animals. The series also includes a farm tour.

The series will be taught by Extension educators and natural resource professionals at two locations. One of the locations is in Gaylord at the Sibley County Service Center. In Gaylord, the series will be held on Monday evenings from February 4th to March 25th. The second location is in Northfield at the Northfield Community Resource Center. In Northfield, the series will be held on Thursday evenings from March 7th to April 25th. Both workshops will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with light meals provided at each session.

Early registration is $175 until Monday, January 28 for the Gaylord location and Thursday, February 28 for the Northfield location. All registrations received after those dates will be $200. Each registration is valid for up to two people representing a single farm who will share materials. For example, a husband and wife team or two siblings may attend together. Benefits include useful educational publications, an educational farm tour, soil tests, a site visit/consultation from a University of Minnesota Extension educator in your area, as well as the tools to help you succeed with your goals and dreams on your country acreage.

For more information about the series in Gaylord, please contact Julie Sievert at 507-237-4100 or schu0944@umn.edu or Christian Lilienthal at 507-934-0360 or lili0004@umn.edu. For questions regarding the Northfield location, please contact Mike Donnelly at 507-332-6109 or donne099@umn.edu.

Register now--space is limited at each location. Additional information and the Living on the Land workshop series brochure can be found at http://z.umn.edu/lotl2013.

By Jake Overgaard
Extension Educator, Winona County

Jake Overgaard of University of Minnesota Extension Winona County will be giving a free on-farm workshop July 14th, from 1-2 pm on raspberry renovation at Hoch Orchard and Gardens near La Crescent, Minnesota. Participants will learn how raspberry plants develop, the importance of renovation, and how to renovate. High tunnel production will be discussed as well as variety selection. There will be an opportunity for hands-on learning (bring a pair of work gloves if interested!). The workshop will be held at Hoch Orchard and Gardens near La Crescent, Minnesota. Weather permitting, this workshop will be held entirely outdoors, dress appropriately and bring your sunscreen.

Hoch Orchard and Gardens will also be holding an open house the same day with farm tours from 11 am to 5 pm. Feel free to attend either or both events! Please see the attached flyer for directions and contact information for the open house.

Directions to Hoch Orchard and Gardens: Take Houston County Road 6 West of of La Crescent 8 miles and turn right on Forster Road. Send questions on the workshop to over0128@umn.edu or call 507-457-6440.

By Nathan Winter
Extension Educator, McLeod and Meeker Counties

Do you have the dream of owning acreage in the country? Do you have an existing acreage that is need of a plan and strategies for the best possible results? The Living on the Land Workshop Series, offered by University of Minnesota Extension, will equip you with the education and resources to be successful.

The eight-week course is designed to arm landowners with agricultural information to enable them to be good stewards of their land. The course will begin with goal-setting and individual property inventory, then address soil, plant and water basics.

The Living on the Land curriculum addresses a growing need for information regarding small acreages. The series incorporates knowledge and experience from a team of instructors to address topics including: what do you have and what do you want, what you can do with your land, water quality, protecting household drinking water, how plants grow, what to do about weeds, lawn and pasture maintenance, getting down and dirty with soils. The series also includes a farm tour.

The series will be taught by Extension educators and natural resource professionals at two locations. Both workshop series will be held on Thursday evenings from March 8 - April 26 from 6-9 p.m. One location will be in Hutchinson at the McLeod County Fairgrounds 4-H Café and the other location will be in Mankato at the Historic Courthouse in the Conference Room.

Early registration is $175 until Friday, March 2 and all registrations received afterwards will be $200. The registration fee includes participation of two people, for example a husband and wife team or two siblings, who may attend together and share materials. Benefits include useful educational publications, an educational farm tour and dinner, a site visit/consultation from a University of Minnesota Extension educator in your area, as well as the tools to help you succeed with your goals and dreams on your country acreage.

Register now because space is limited at each location. Contact Nathan Winter for a hard copy of the brochure and other questions regarding the Hutchinson Location at 320-484-4303 or by e-mail at wint0146@umn.edu. Contact Diane DeWitte at 507-304-4325 or by e-mail at stouf002@umn.edu for more information on the Mankato location and registration questions.

View the 2012 Living on the Land Workshop Series Brochure at the following link: http://z.umn.edu/6b4.

Any use of this article must include the byline or following credit line:
Nathan Winter is an agricultural production systems educator with University of Minnesota Extension.