Small Farms News

Who survived the polar vortex? It has been a tough winter. While driving, taking care of livestock, pruning trees, trying to keep the house warm, or just trying to get out the door, we've been challenged.  Your fruit trees and vines may have been challenged too, according to a  recent article  from our Fruit and Vegetable Production Educator, Annie Klodd. I won't predict when, but spring is coming. In order to get ready, here are some workshops and webinars. Also, a few survey for you to fill out; help us get ready too. -Jake Overgaard  Extension Educator Poultry and Sheep Workshops There will be a series of  backyard and small scale poultry workshops  around the state focused on disease management, improving egg-laying, minimizing predator issues, among other topics for small scale and backyard poultry producers. Locations include St. Charles, St. Cloud, Gaylord, Elko New Market, and Alexandria. More info and registration is  here .   On March

A group of us in Extension have been running the webinar series, Local Foods College, since 2012. The presentations are focused on local foods and issues related to production, processing, post-harvest, business/marketing, natural resources, and more.  We're doing some planning for our next series. In the meantime, here are three things you can do. 1. Help us decide what to cover next. Access this two question survey  here . I swear this is super short. 2. There is a TROVE of fantastic presentations available for viewing on Y ouTube which you can access via the  Local Foods College Website . 3. Check out the Local Foods College Greatest hits of each year. 2018:  Fruits and Nuts 2017:  Disease Management in a High Tunnel 2016:  Soil Health 2015:  Farm to Bottle 2014:  Post Harvest Handling 2013:  Efficient Irrigation for Garden, Farm and High Tunnels 2012:  Apple Orchard Management

By Wayne Martin, Extension Educator We will be teaching our Annual Spring Sheep & Lamb Management Workshop on Saturday March 16, 2019. Registration begins at 9:30, the workshop begins at 10:00 and ends at 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is needed in order to plan for food and handouts. The following topics will be discussed: Sheep Industry Overview Breed Selection Facilities Lambing challenges Vaccinations and worming Disease identification and response Economics/Marketing In the afternoon participants will gain hands-on experience with giving shots, trimming hooves, inspecting ewes for health status. If there are lambs of appropriate age, participants will practice tail docking. Location: St Paul Campus Beef Barn, Corner of Buford and Gortner.  To Register: Contact Wayne Martin at 612-625-6224, or at marti067@umn.edu . $10/adult, $20/couple or business partner, $5/students.

Sick chickens? Do you have issues with predators attacking your flock? No eggs being laid? These are all common issues with small scale and backyard poultry flocks. UMN Extension will be holding workshops in MN to help you deal with these and other issues related to raising poultry. The program will feature University of MN specialists in small scale poultry production with expertise in feeding, health, and general management. All workshops run from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Locations include Gaylord, Elko New Market, and Alexandria. Location and registration information is below.  Cost of the program is $10 per person, or $20 per household (max of 3 people) and includes lunch. Payment by check is preferred.  Please pre-register.  Hope to see you there! The St. Charles program has been cancelled. March 16 St. Charles City Hall 830 Whitewater Avenue St Charles, MN 55972 Registration:  https://z.umn.edu/poultry19  or (507) 457-6440 March 30 Sibley Room Sible

By Annie Klodd, UMN Extension The Southern Minnesota Wine Grower Alliance and University of Minnesota Extension are hosting a grape grower and wine maker workshop at Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery (near Kasota) on March 23 from 9:00am-1:00pm. Grape growers, wine makers and hobbyists of all levels are welcome to attend. This hands-on workshop will include: 1) A walk in the vineyard to learn how to manage winter injury when pruning, and how to re-train vines between VSP and high cordon systems.  2) An interactive activity on designing a vineyard pest management program 3) A tour of Chankaska's wine cellar Registration is $30 for SMWGA members ($35 for non-members). Learn more  about the workshop here , and  register here .