Thursday, July 28, 2011

Highway 75 improvements from Climax to Crookston begin Aug. 1

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists will experience a detour on Highway 75 from Climax to Crookston beginning Aug. 1, as crews replace culverts, resurface the road and add turn lanes.

The project was tentatively scheduled to begin July 1 but was delayed due to the three-week government shutdown.

From Climax, traffic will be detoured north on Highway 220 for approximately 13 miles, east on Polk County Road 9 for approximately 13 miles and then back to Highway 75. Southbound traffic from Crookston will follow the same route in reverse.

The detour is expected to be removed by Aug. 19 pending culvert replacement completion. Once the detour is removed, flagging operations and a pilot car will direct traffic through the work zone until all work on Highway 75 is complete.

The estimated project completion is Sept. 16.

For updated road condition information, call 5-1-1 or visit www.511mn.org.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Highway 34 construction from Park Rapids to Akeley resumes

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Construction on Highway 34 from Park Rapids to Akeley resumed July 21 after a three-week government shutdown.

Central Specialties Contracting was ready to start up operations as soon as word was received from MnDOT to proceed.

The Phase 2 detour from the junction of Highway 34 and Highway 226 to Akeley was scheduled to start July 6, but began July 21. Motorists traveling east on Highway 34 will be detoured south on County Road 11 for approximately six miles, then east on Highway 87 for approximately 13 miles, then north on Highway 64 for approximately 11 miles to Akeley. Motorists traveling east to Nevis will have access via County Road 17 and County Road 13.

The end date for the detour was scheduled for Sept. 2, but will be revised.

For information on state road conditions and construction, visit www.511mn.org or call 5-1-1.

Highway 9 construction south of U.S. Highway 2 resumes July 26

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists traveling on Highway 9 will encounter a detour between U.S. Highway 2 and the Polk/Norman county line when construction resumes Tuesday, July 26, to repair several culverts and resurface the highway. The project was temporarily suspended during a three-week state government shutdown.

To prepare for the work, a detour will begin Monday, July 25. Northbound traffic from Ada will be detoured east on Norman County Road 19 for approximately 11 miles to Highway 32, then north on Highway 32 to Highway 102 north of Fertile, and northwest on Highway 102 to Highway 9 . Southbound traffic will follow the same detour route in reverse.

The project was scheduled to be completed in early August, but will be revised due to the delay.

For state highway road information, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.511mn.org.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

NDSU Offers Master Gardener Classes

The Master Gardener Program for 2011 will be kicking off on Aug. 19, according to Ron Smith, North Dakota State University Extension Service horticulturist.

The classes will originate from NDSU and be broadcast across the state to 11 sites through the Interactive Video Network (IVN) system.

The locations are Bismarck, Bowman, Cavalier, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Napoleon, Wahpeton, Watford City and the Williston Research Extension Center. The classes will start on Friday, Aug. 19, and finish on Oct. 7. Classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central Time) for eight weeks. The classes will be archived for any student who may not be able to attend every class.

The cost is $100 for volunteers and $200 for nonvolunteers. Once the classwork is completed, the volunteers need to complete 48 hours of approved work through their county NDSU Extension Service agent. The volunteer work should be completed within 12 months after finishing the formal classes.

For more information, contact your local NDSU Extension Service office or visit http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/mg for a registration form. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug 1.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Updated Canola Production Field Guide Now Available

Producers, agricultural consultants and others interested in agriculture can use an updated canola production (spiral bound) pocket field guide to obtain the latest information about canola production, according to Hans Kandel, North Dakota State University Extension Service agronomist.

"The previous field guide was published in 2005 and was in need of major updates, especially on the canola diseases of blackleg and sclerotinia, canola insects, weed management, desiccation at harvest and other management issues," Kandel says.

NDSU Extension staff and other canola specialists wrote the revised and reviewed guide. The field guide also has a photo section at the back of the publication with pictures of weeds, insects and diseases.

The publication is a comprehensive guide for those considering or are growing canola. Some of the topics include canola varieties; growth stages; field selection; planting dates; soil fertility requirements; weed, insect and disease management and control; frost tolerance and damage; swathing and harvest management; resource contacts and publications; and useful websites.

North Dakota growers can order a free copy of the pocket guide from the Northern Canola Growers Association at (877) 585-1671 or email info@northerncanola.com.

A free copy also can be obtained from the Research and Extension Centers in Carrington, Dickinson, Hettinger, Langdon, Minot and Williston and at local county NDSU extension offices.

A Web version of the guide can be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/crops/a1280.pdf or the publication can be obtained from the NDSU Distribution Center for $6 per copy, which includes shipping and handling. Call (701) 231-7882 or email NDSU.DistributionCenter@ndsu.edu for information or order online at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs.

The "Canola Production Field Guide" (A-1280) was partially funded by the Northern Canola Growers Association and produced by the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

4-H Sets Fiber Arts Retreat

Do you enjoy having fun with others, working with your hands and learning about fiber arts?

The North Dakota State University Extension Service is sponsoring "String Things," a 4-H fiber arts retreat, Aug. 26-28 at the Comfort Inn in Bismarck.

The retreat will offer workshops on embroidery, crocheting, knitting, macrame, kumihimo and felting. Participants will learn about these skills and how to share them with others.

"This will be a great opportunity for improving your skills or learning new skills," says Sharon Query, a 4-H youth development specialist who helped
organize the event.

This retreat is for Extension agents, 4-H volunteers and youth 14 or older. Attendees will receive instructions and resources to enable them to be a resource person for their county/area.

The cost is $100 for a double room ($175 for a single room) and $25 with no lodging. Register before Aug. 19 to secure a room.

Registration information is available at http://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/4h/Training/FiberArtsRetreatStringThings.pdf.

For more information, contact Query at (701) 231-5923 or sharon.query@ndsu.edu.

Monday, July 11, 2011

CREC Field Day July 19th

The North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) annual field day will be held Tuesday, July 19.

Two crop tours will be conducted during the event for participants to view research trials and receive current production information. Highlighted will be crop variety performance, production and pest management, tillage systems and plant nutrition.

The morning tour will begin at 9:30 a.m. The tour will include a review of spring and durum wheat, barley and dry bean cultivars by NDSU plant breeders Mohamed Mergoum, Elias Elias, Richard Horsley and Juan Osorno. Corn and soybean production highlights will be presented by NDSU Extension Service agronomists Joel Ransom and Greg Endres. Also, an update on energy beets will be provided by Maynard Helgaas, area commercial vegetable producer, and Blaine Schatz, CREC director and research agronomist.

Following a noon lunch, tour participants are encouraged to attend a second crop tour starting at 1 p.m.

The tour will focus on four areas:

* Tile drainage - Tim Becker, Eddy County Extension agent; Hans Kandel, Extension agronomist; and Ron Wiederholt, CREC nutrient management specialist, will provide an introduction to the benefits and challenges of land management strategy.

* Managing prevented plant cropland - Dwight Aakre, Extension economist, and Kandel will review regulatory and agronomic options for unplanted cropland.

* Crop pest update - Sam Markell, Marcia McMullen and Michael Wunsch, NDSU plant pathologists, will provide an update on the threat and management of this season's small-grain and row-crop diseases. Janet Knodel, Extension entomologist, will highlight management strategies for late-season insects, including wheat and soybean aphids, and sunflower head-infesting insects. Kirk Howatt, NDSU weed scientist, and Endres will review this season's weed management challenges and highlight CREC weed management trials.

* Tillage systems and plant nutrition - John Nowatzki, Extension agricultural machine systems specialist, will review current research on the impact of crop residue on soil moisture and temperature. Also, Paul Hendrickson, CREC research agronomist, and Endres will highlight CREC research on row-crop response to tillage systems and placement of starter fertilizer.

In addition to the crop tours, field day visitors will have the opportunity to attend livestock and fruit tours.

For more information, contact the CREC at (701) 652-2951 or go to http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/carringtonREC/.

N.D. Dairy Show Rescheduled

The North Dakota State Dairy Show has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6, during the Morton County Fair in New Salem because of flooding in Minot.

The show is open to all purebred breeders of any major dairy cattle breed.

Exhibitors must preregister with J.W. Schroeder, North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist and show manager. Exhibitors also must request stall space from the Morton County Fair dairy department. Call Anita Hoger at (701) 843-7205 to reserve stalls or for information about gate passes.

Entry forms are available on the NDSU dairy website at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/dairy/index.htm or from Schroeder. Contact
him at (701) 231-7663 or by e-mail at jw.schroeder@ndsu.edu.

Send completed entry forms no later than Monday, July 18, to Schroeder at NDSU Animal Sciences, Dept. 7630, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

To qualify for the show, animals must be registered with their respective breed associations or their owners must verify their breed registry eligibility.
Animals should arrive the day before the contest, which starts on 9 a.m. on Aug. 6, and must remain on the grounds until 3 p.m. the following day.

The North Dakota State Dairy Show has been the showcase of the state's purebred dairy industry for 65 years. This includes the nation's longest-running state dairy princess contest. The 65th crown went to Rachael Rott of Anamoose. The dairy princess spends a year representing the dairy industry at a variety of events throughout the state.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Clean or Replace Flooded Energy-related Items

Deciding what to save and what to throw out after a home has been flooded can be daunting.

That's especially true for energy-related items such as insulation, household appliances, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, says Carl Pedersen, North Dakota State University Extension Service energy educator.

Whether something can be salvaged will depend on the source of the floodwaters, such as clean water from broken water pipes or rain; water from sump pumps or dishwashers that may contain contamination and microorganisms; or overland floodwaters, which can contain a wide variety of contaminants, including raw sewage, petroleum products and various chemicals. For example, any porous materials such as fiberglass insulation that have been exposed to overland floodwaters need to be removed and replaced.

Here are some guidelines for dealing with flooded energy-related items:

Insulation

* Fiberglass insulation should be discarded because it will retain the contaminants the floodwaters carried. The insulation can be replaced once the
framing materials are allowed to dry properly.

* Cellulose insulation also should be removed and discarded.

* Rigid, closed-cell insulation can be cleaned and disinfected. However, remove it if leaving it in place prevents the semiporous materials in building cavities from drying properly.

* Remove bead board insulation because it can retain water.

Electronic appliances

* Remove and replace all electrical fixtures such as switches, outlets and breakers that were submerged in water because suspended materials in floodwaters are very difficult to remove once they've entered electrical components.

* Have all electrical appliances such as stoves, water heaters and televisions professionally reconditioned if you plan to reuse them.

* Electrical motors in appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators also need to be professionally reconditioned if
they are going to be reused.

* An electrician or electrical inspector needs to determine whether wiring in a flooded home should be replaced.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

* Have HVAC equipment professionally serviced before using it because it contains electric motors and/or electronic components. Replacing HVAC equipment that has been submerged in floodwaters may be safer and more cost effective.

* Clean HVAC duct work. Professional duct cleaning services may be available in your area. Cleaning metal duct work is possible, but it should be dismantled to ensure that all water, mud and potential contaminants are removed.

* Flexible ductwork should be removed and replaced because it is nearly impossible to clean effectively.

* Do not use chlorine bleach to clean HVAC components because it is corrosive. Homeowners or qualified duct cleaning companies should use only HVAC-approved cleaning agents.

* Ducts should be cleaned even if they were not submerged in water because mold can grow very quickly in flood situations, especially in the summer, because of high humidity levels in wall cavities and duct work.

For more detailed information on cleaning a flooded home or other structure, visit the NDSU flood website at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

2011 Midwest Viking Festival at Hjemkomst

Moorhead, Minn., July 7, 2011 – The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County announces the 2011 Midwest Viking Festival. Formerly Viking Village, The Midwest Viking Festival is an outdoor, two-day event offering demonstrations, performances, merchants and other activities intended to educate the public about society and culture in Viking Age Scandinavia and beyond.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 17, noon – 4 p.m. at the Hjemkomst Center. Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for families. The festival has expanded in scope and reach by inviting Viking demonstrators from throughout the region. Here is the schedule of events:

Saturday, July 16
11 a.m. Viking battle demonstration
1 p.m. Miha Kozina – Viking sword tactics
2 p.m. Anne Kaese, “Art of the Book of Kells” (indoors)
2 p.m. Viking battle demonstration
3 p.m. Miha Kozina, “Asatru in Iceland” (indoors)
4 p.m. Suzanne Emmanuel – “Icelandic Folk Songs” (indoors)
5 p.m. Miha Kozina – Viking sword tactics

Sunday, July 17
12:30 p.m. Kari Tauring “Staff Singing”
1:30 p.m. Viking battle demonstration
2 p.m. Verlyn Anderson “The Vikings: Lords of the Sea” (indoors)
3:30 p.m. Viking battle demonstration

In addition, members of the Red River Watercolor Society will be doing watercolor demonstrations in the Hjemkomst Center ship gallery from 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, July 16 and 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17.

Ongoing Activities/Features include (both days): Viking pottery, Bead-making, Viking cooking, Calligraphy, Chainmail making, Wood turning and carving, Blacksmithing, Fiber production, dyeing, and weaving, Wire weaving, Leatherwork, Viking tent replica displays, Plants of the Viking Age, Silversmithing, and Viking merchants.

Viking Quest, hands-on activities for children, include (both days): Board Games, Coin striking, Chainmail, Pottery, Rune Writing, Scriptorium (in Hopperstad Stave church), and Felting.

The festival is sponsored in part by the Northern Plains Fiber Artists, Darksword Armory, Dakota Monument, Bemidji Woolen Mills, Creative Arts Studio of Fargo, Vikingland Kiwanis, and FM Icelandic Klub. The HCSCC is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of a Minnesota Festival Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Please note: Both eastbound and westbound traffic will be closed on 1st Avenue in Fargo during the event. Access to the Hjemkomst Center is via 3rd street west of Moorhead Center Mall to 1st Avenue.

For more information on the event, call 218-299-5511 or visit www.hcscconline.org or check us out of Facebook at www.facebook.com/hcscc. The Hjemkomst Center is located at 202 First Avenue North in Moorhead.

Registration now open for Sixth Annual Mann Foundation Symposium

Minnesota teachers, parents, and administrators can explore a variety of topics at the Sixth Annual National Ted and Dr. Roberta Mann Foundation Symposium about Children’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. N., Minneapolis. The Symposium is co-sponsored by PACER Center and the American Dairy Queen Corporation.

Speakers at this year’s Symposium will address many issues regarding children’s mental health and learning disabilities, including proactive, positive teaching strategies and interventions. Keynote speakers will include David S. Goldbloom, Ph.D., senior medical advisor, education and public affairs at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto; Josh Hanagarne, author of the novel “The Knot” and the blog “World’s Strongest Librarian”; and Dr. Read Sulik, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist, pediatrician, and adult psychiatrist.

Cost for the Symposium is $15, and lunch will be provided. A certificate for six clock hours is available for those who attend the entire day. Registration for the Symposium is now open and fills quickly. To register, call PACER at 952-838-9000. In Greater Minnesota, call 800-537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org.

PACER Center is a nonprofit parent center for Minnesota families of children and young adults with any disability. PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources to help families make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities

Ellie Bekkerus Benefit

A Spaghetti Supper/Silent Auction/Family Dance Benefit for Ellie Bekkerus will be held on Friday, July 22nd at the Twin Valley Community Center. The Supper is from 5pm-8pm, Silent Auction from 5pm-7pm and Dance from 8pm-11pm.

Ellie is the daughter of Paul & Kaylie (Bueng) Bekkerus. She was born with a genetic condition called Turner's Syndrome. Turner’s Syndrome affects 1 in 2,000 females and requires careful medical management due to the multiple associated symptoms. Primary manifestations are short stature and premature ovarian failure. Other health risks include heart and kidney abnormalities, Eye and hearing problems, edema of her hands & feet, impaired thyroid function, need for growth -promoting therapy, and estrogen therapy.

Ellie had surgery to remove her ovaries on June 15th, 2011 in Sioux Falls, SD, due to risk of ovarian cancer. She also has two heart defects, for which she will require surgery at a later date.

To learn more visit: Turner Syndrome Society of the United States.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliebekkerus/

Please contact Crystal Stene (218) 356-8665 or Ashley Abraham at (701) 318-0843 to make silent auction donations or if you’d like to help!

Monetary donations can be mailed to: Bank of the West, Ellie Bekkerus Benefit Fund, 412 East Main Street, Ada, MN 56510 or can be deposited at any Bank of the West location.

Supplemental funds have been applied for through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Agronomy Seed Farm Field Tour Set For July 18

The North Dakota State University Agronomy Seed Farm field tour will be held Monday, July 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. The farm is one mile south and one mile west of Casselton.

Crop tours will be conducted to view research trials and receive crop production information. Crop variety performance, fertility management in wheat and corn, water management issues, combine yield monitor calibration and weed control information will be highlighted.

The tour will include a review of barley cultivars by Rich Horsley, NDSU barley breeder, and spring wheat cultivars by Mohamed Mergoum, NDSU spring wheat breeder.

Dave Franzen, NDSU Extension Service soil scientist, and Joel Ransom, Extension agronomist, will discuss some of the reasons for the yellowing in corn and small-grain fields that many producers have experienced this spring. They also will discuss possible remedies.

Marcia McMullen and Sam Markell, NDSU Extension plant pathologists, will give the latest information on crop diseases in grass and broadleaf crops and what can be done to diminish the effects of those diseases.

Richard Zollinger and Kirk Howatt, NDSU Extension weed scientists, will discuss this season's weed management challenges and issues. They also will review weed control in conventional soybeans.

John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension agricultural machine systems specialist, will
present information relating to combine yield monitors and how producers can obtain accurate information from them.

Entomological information will be presented by Jan Knodel, NDSU Extension
entomologist.

All of the NDSU Extension specialists from various disciplines will answer
questions from producers regarding specific production problems.

Following the field tour, participants will be served a dinner provided by the Agronomy Seed Farm and Cass County Agricultural Improvement Association.

For more information, contact the Agronomy Seed Farm at (701) 347-4743.

UMC Preview Days Saturday, July 16th

CROOKSTON, Minn. – New and prospective students are invited to visit the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday, July 16, 2011, to learn more about the campus during Preview Day. Students are encouraged to bring their families along to visit the campus.

Students may register online for the Preview Day on Saturday, July 16 by visiting www.umcrookston.edu/admissions or by contacting the Admissions Office at 218-281-8569. The welcome and admissions presentation begin at 10 a.m.

During Preview Days, students have the opportunity to interact with current students, faculty, and staff as they learn about the U of M, Crookston. Throughout the day the students will be able to receive detailed information about the various opportunities available on the Crookston campus, enjoy lunch in Brown Dining Hall, participate in a question and answer session, and tour the beautiful campus. Preview Day is designed to help students and their families as they make decisions about college.

For more information, visit www.umcrookston.edu/admissions.