Small Farms News

By Eric Koehlmoos, University of Minnesota Extension The University of Minnesota Extension is pleased to announce that there will be a Small Farm Tour in Todd County this summer. The Small Farm Tour is an opportunity for small farm producers to interact and learn from University of Minnesota Extension Educators and from their fellow producers. This year’s Small Farm Tour will take place on Wednesday, July 18th from 2-5 PM at Kleinschmidt Farms. Kleinschmidt Farms is owned and operated by Russell and Jess Kleinschmidt, located at 44910 County 21, Staples, MN. A detailed tour and program with extension educators will take place from 2-4 PM, with an open question and answer session from 4-5 pm. About the farm Kleinschmidt Farms features over 60 varieties of vegetables in their outdoor gardens and in their high tunnel. In addition to vegetables, they also have a grass-fed beef herd and a pasture broiler and egg-laying operation. They market their goods through a variety of channel

This month's episodes of "What's Killing My Kale?" focus on Spotted Wing Drosophila. This invasive vinegar fly, now widespread in Minnesota, is a major concern for small fruit growers as it lays its eggs directly in the flesh of many high value fruits.  This podcast episode provides growers with top recommendations on managing SWD from Jim Riddle, long-time organic fruit grower and owner of Blue Fruit Farm. Additional information on SWD can be found at  www.fruitedge.umn.edu . You can listen to the podcast here , on iTunes , or Stitcher .

This month's episodes of "What's Killing My Kale?" focus on Spotted Wing Drosophila. This invasive vinegar fly, now widespread in Minnesota, is a major concern for small fruit growers as it lays its eggs directly in the flesh of many high value fruits.  This episode of the podcast provides growers with top recommendations on managing SWD from Mary Rogers, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the University of MN. Additional information on SWD can be found at  www.fruitedge.umn.edu . You can listen to the podcast here , on iTunes , or Stitcher .

Annie Klodd UMN Extension Educator Fruit and Vegetable Production  These workshops have been postponed due to low registration. UMN Extension’s Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Team is hosting three Vegetable IPM evening field days throughout MN in June, from  5:00-8:00 pm.   Locations and dates include: June 12 : St. Paul @ UMN Student Organic Farm ( This location has been cancelled ) June 14 : Waseca @ UMN Southern Research and Outreach Center June 19 : Alexandria @ Berry Ridge Farm Integrated Pest Management emphases combining diverse techniques for more sustainable and effective pest management. Join us for an evening of IPM strategies for vegetable crops. In Alexandria, the field day will include additional information on high tunnel pest management and fruit as well. Hone your skills, or learn new ones, to better tackle our most challenging diseases, insects, and weeds. Activities include: Insect and disease management strategies Weeds: Innovative

by Wayne Martin UMN Extension Educator The University of Minnesota Extension Small Farms Program will host a workshop on Organic Pig Production at the West Central Research and Outreach Center  (WCROC), University of Minnesota in Morris, MN. Date/Location- It will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018, from 9:30-3:00 p.m. in the Ag Country Auditorium of the WCROC. A map of the area can be viewed here . David Stender, Extension Educator at Iowa State University, Lee Johnston, Professor of Swine  Nutrition and Management at the University of Minnesota, Jim VanDerPol, an innovative hog  farmer from Kerkhoven, MN will be the speakers. Tentative Agenda: 9:15 – 9:30 am Coffee 9:30 – 10:30 am Feeding organic pigs – traditional (corn/SBM) vs. alternative feed –  Lee Johnston 10:30 – 11:30 am Benchmark and financial management of organic pig production –  David Stender 11:30 – 12:30 pm Lunch 12:30 – 1:00 pm Breeds and genotypes for organic pig production – David Stender 1:00 – 1:3