Latest news

A drought threat posed across southern and western Minnesota is the most serious in over a decade, according to University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark Seeley.

Climate outlooks currently favor more rain than normal this spring across much of the state, but it might not be enough, Seeley said: "Many areas are so deficient in stored soil moisture they will need 150 to 200 percent of normal rainfall during March and April to make up the difference."

The effect of a good year for Minnesota agriculture is evident in the University of Minnesota Extension Farmer-Lender Mediation Program's annual report. The number of lenders sending notices requesting mediation of troubled Minnesota farm debts dropped by 24 percent during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2011.

This is the first time in four years the activity in the program decreased, according to Dick Senese, Extension senior associate dean.

This year's unseasonably warm winter weather and little snow cover makes woody plant control easier in home and agricultural landscapes. Removing invasive plants like buckthorn is more successful in the winter months, when the plant is dormant.

When the course wraps up in mid-February, the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener class of 2012 will be the 35th in the volunteer program's history. This year's cohort includes 178 people from 42 counties plus the Fond du Lac tribal nation.

The agricultural economy in Minnesota is strong, and some of that strength is coming from the growth of small farms. Increased interest in local foods and products is driving that growth.

A majority of the state's residents spend their leisure time in Minnesota, and 78 percent said they plan to spend as much or more money on leisure travel in 2012 compared to 2011, a new survey by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center reveals.

How many people does it take to run your small town? How many people are available to fill that need?

Starting with these simple questions, University of Minnesota Extension conducted a study in 2010 that revealed two significant trends in rural Minnesota leadership: 1.) The number of community organizations, and thus the number of leadership positions, is increasing, and 2.) The number of people who are able and prepared to serve as leaders is declining.