September 2011 Archives

Stephanie Heim, Extension farm to school coordinator, finds success improving children's nutrition by connecting schools with local growers. During Minnesota Farm to School Month, Heim sat down for an interview to discuss how farm to school programming fits with Extension, how it's making an impact in the and what she loves most about her work.

Late summer and fall is apple harvest time. With this enjoyment of eating apples comes a new online resource about growing apples. eXtension.org, the online component of national Cooperative Extension, has added a new resource area about apple production, cultivars and rootstocks for commercial apple producers, home gardeners, nursery professionals, and anyone interested in growing and eating apples.

Pork producers, commercial pumpers and others need to watch for a layer of foam on the surface when pumping barn manure pits. This foam contains numerous gases hazardous to people and animals, but methane in particular can cause barn explosions and/or flash fires.

As a shy child scared of cows grazing in my own yard, no one would have guessed the path I would take in life. That is because the friends, family time and lessons I learned in 4-H shaped me into the person I am today.

Late planting, immature corn and the cost of drying wet corn have many producers considering harvesting some type of high-moisture corn this year. Which method you choose is a factor of what harvesting equipment you have available or personal preference.

Much of Minnesota's corn crop was damaged by frost on the morning of Sept. 15, according to University of Minnesota Extension corn agronomist Jeff Coulter.

Get your yard and garden ready before frigid temps arrive

Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do before the first snow flies? Searching for an excuse to enjoy the last few days outside without a parka?

The severity of early frost on Minnesota's crops may not be known for two or three days; however, yield and quality in immature plants will be affected, according to Seth Naeve, a soybean agronomist with University of Minnesota Extension.

The dry soil conditions experienced recently over much of Minnesota may limit soybean yields, according to Dave Nicolai, crops educator with University of Minnesota Extension.

Do you occasionally volunteer to help plan, prepare or serve food at a large group event? To help you provide safe food, University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Health are offering "Cooking Safely for a Crowd," a video conference broadcast in 15 sites across Minnesota on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, 1-4 p.m.

Radio Transcript from Minnesota Farm Network, On the Farm radio show with Tom Rothman

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Too many people read the top line of the US Census data showing rural Minnesota losing population and make judgments about the vitality of rural communities. Fortunately, Dick Senese, Associate Dean of the University of Minnesota Extension's Center for Community Vitality, dug deeper into the numbers and found three points worth remembering...

Radio Transcript from Minnesota Farm Network, On the Farm radio show with Tom Rothman

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This is Bev Durgan on the Farm. Governor Mark Dayton declared September as Farm to School Month in Minnesota. The phrase "farm to school" refers to programs that encourage schools to use more local foods in their cafeterias and encourage teachers to include food and agriculture in their lesson plans.

This fall, farmers will be diligently harvesting their crops: corn, soybeans, sugarbeets and...tourists.

Tourists? Yes. Families, motor coach tour groups, couples out for a weekend drive, and grandparents with grandchildren will be discovering a variety of new experiences on the farm.

The tragedy of an agricultural death or injury can cause the personal loss of a friend or family member. It also causes an economic and social burden when a productive member of a community is incapacitated or dies.

"Safety Counts--Your Community Depends on It" is the theme for this year's National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 18-24.

Gov. Mark Dayton has declared September as Farm to School Month in Minnesota, recognizing the hundreds of dedicated farmers, schools and community members active in farm to school efforts around the state.