Wolf season lottery results available online

Hunters and trappers who applied to participate in Minnesota’s first-ever wolf season can check lottery results online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/wolf to see if they were successful in the drawing. They also can view a copy of the 2012 wolf season regulations handbook.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received more than 23,000 applications for the 6,000 available licenses.

Lottery winners, who also will receive notification and wolf hunting regulations via postal mail, now may purchase their licenses from DNR license agent, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense or by telephone at 888-665-4236.

Participants in the early season hunt, which coincides with firearms deer season, must purchase their wolf licenses by Wednesday, Oct. 24. Participants in the late hunting and trapping season, which runs from Saturday, Nov. 24, to Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, must buy their licenses by Thursday, Nov. 15.

Any licenses not sold by those dates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to unsuccessful lottery applicants beginning at noon on Monday, Oct. 29, for the early season and at noon on Monday, Nov. 19, for the late hunting and trapping season.

Any remaining licenses not purchased by unsucc essful applicants will be available for purchase by any eligible hunter beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 1, for the early season and noon on Wednesday, Nov. 21, for the late hunting and trapping season.

Minnesota assumed state management of the gray wolf after the species was removed Jan. 27 from federal protection in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Minnesota’s wolf population is estimated to be about 3,000 wolves. The target harvest of 400 wolves for this inaugural wolf season is a conservative approach that does not pose a threat to the conservation of the population.

Additional information about wolf management in Minnesota is available online at www.mndnr.gov/wolves.

Dakota Feeder Calf Show Set for Oct. 20

The 14th annual Dakota Feeder Calf Show is set for Saturday, Oct. 20, in Turtle Lake.

Cattle will be accepted at the Turtle Lake weighing station before 11 a.m., then exhibited as groups of three or four head. The spring-born steer calves consigned to the show then will be fed to market weight at North Dakota State University's Carrington Research Extension Center feedlot.

The NDSU Extension Service is partnering with the Dakota Feeder Calf Show on the show and feedout project to provide cattle producers with an opportunity to experience retaining ownership of cattle beyond the cow-calf phase of production. Producers who consign their calves to the feedout program will receive performance and carcass data.

"When cattle or feed prices are low or high, it's important to know how well your cattle perform through the market chain," says Karl Hoppe, area Extension livestock specialist at the Carrington center. "This cattle feedout project will give producers information on how their calves perform in the feed yard and on the calves' carcass value."

The show and feedout are an entry-level way of learning about these options with three or four calves instead of 100. Cattle producers have used the feeding and carcass information to select bulls that will improve the feedlot value of their calves.

During last year's feedout, the calves gained an average of 725 pounds in 200 days, with a total feeding cost (excluding interest) of 90 cents per pound of gain. The average sale weight was 1,353 pounds. The calves were fed with a market weight breakeven of $85.72 per hundredweight.

"It's the variation among cattle that makes this project educational and a real eye opener," Hoppe says.

In the 2011-12 feedout, the spread in net return per head between the average of the top five herds and average of the bottom five herds was $141.49. The spread becomes more noticeable between the top and bottom herd: The top-profiting herd made $216.14 per head, while the bottom herd lost $5.26 per head. Weight gain per day of age was 3.45 pounds for the top-profiting herd and 3.12 for the bottom herd.

"Small differences in production have a huge impact on profit," Hoppe says.

Feedout project staff will gather data on rate of gain, feeding costs and other characteristics during the trial. After the calves are marketed, the staff will
collect and provide information to the entrants on carcass weight, meat quality and value.

Producers will be assessed an entry fee of $20 per calf. Dakota Feeder Calf Show officials will present awards to producers at the end of the trial.

For more information or to preregister calves, contact Hoppe at (701) 652-2951; Darwin Chesrown, Turtle Lake Farmers Union Oil, at (701) 448-2356; or Irene Graves, McLean County Extension, at (701) 462-8541, ext. 208.

Cattle may be registered the day of the show, but the feedout is limited to 160 head.

(via NDSU Ag Communication)

Burning Restrictions

Due to the severe drought conditions, burning restrictions are in place in northwest and north central Minnesota.

The counties with limitations placed on campfires and open burning include Becker, Beltrami, Cass (north of Highway 200), Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.

No burning permits will be issued to the general public and no use of fireworks will be allowed outside of municipalities.Campfires or recreational fires outside of municipalities are allowed only in a designated receptacle designed for such use and associated with a residence or staffed campgrounds such as state parks, or resorts.

Play Space Community Workshop at UMC

CROOKSTON, Minn. – A day of discussion and presentations on creating nature-based community play spaces will be held at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. A $15 registration fee includes lunch and participants may complete their registration online at http://z.umn.edu/NaturalPlaySpace. The workshop runs from 9am to 3pm

The morning offers presentations by staff from the U of M, Crookston and local partners covering planning, installation, and the programming aspects of nature-based play spaces. In the afternoon, break-out discussions will address specific areas of interest to help move projects forward no matter what stage they are in currently.

For more information, contact Marlene LeBlanc at the Extension Regional Center at 218-281-8696 or mleblanc@umn.edu.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor’s degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  “Small Campus. Big Degree.”  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Salmonella warning

(September 25, 2012) -- One person in Minnesota is part of an ongoing multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections associated with Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, state health officials said today.

The Minnesota resident reported eating Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter during the week prior to becoming ill in late July, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The case is an adult from the Twin Cities metro area who was hospitalized for this illness and recovered. MDH is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), other state health departments and federal agencies in the continuing investigation.

To date, a total of 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported in 18 states. Four people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is coordinating the ongoing multistate investigation with affected states and the Food and Drug Administration, including determining if additional products may be contaminated, and if the problem is limited to a single or multiple production dates. CDC’s website will be updated as information becomes available: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html.

Trader Joe’s has issued a voluntary recall of the implicated product. That notice can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320579.htm. The peanut butter manufacturer has also issued a recall. More information is at http://www.sunlandinc.com/788/html/pdfs/SunlandRecall.pdf. MDH and MDA officials urged consumers to not eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt that they may have in their homes or any of the products recalled by Sunland, Inc.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Approximately 575 to 700 cases of salmonellosis are reported each year in Minnesota. More information on Salmonella and how to prevent it can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/salmonellosis/index.html.

Dakota-US War Presentation at Hjemkomst

Moorhead, Minn.–

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County presents A Dakota Perspective on the Dakota War of 1862, a presentation by Tamara St. John, October 13^th at 2:00 pm at the Hjemkomst Center. Ms. St. John discusses the events leading up to the Dakota-US war and its aftermath as seen through the eyes of the Dakota people. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Tamara St. John is a historian and archivist for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Historic Preservation Office. She has conducted extensive research on the Dakota-US War of 1862 in particular with the legislation that pertains to the subsequent exile of the Dakota from the state of Minnesota.

“My role as a researcher and archivist has allowed me to access a part of the history that has not been written about or often shared outside of the tribal community,” Ms. St. John said. “[The Tribal Historic Preservation Office] has done some amazing work with the Minnesota Historical Society on the 1862 Exhibit and has made great strides in telling a far more balanced history, one that included the Dakota people and their experience.” Her present ation is drawn from this research and collaborations with various state historical societies.

HCSCC executive director Maureen Kelly Jonason says, "Given that the Dakota people were also victims of violence during this historic event, I think it is fitting to hear from the side that doesn't get much attention. We hope people interested in this topic will leave with new and vital information."

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County collects, preserves, and presents the history and culture of Clay County and the region. HCSCC also provides interpretation of the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, Hopperstad Stave Church Replica, and hosts traveling exhibits in 7,000 sq. feet of temporary exhibition space. The Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County is a community resource for 210,000 people in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area and serves an average of 40,000 visitors a year from all over the world.

For more information, call 218-299-5511 or visit www.hcscconline.org. The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County is located in the Hjemkomst Center at 202 First Avenue North in Moorhead.

MPCA invites comments on pollution study

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is inviting comment on a pollution study conducted for eight lakes in Pope County. The lakes are Ann, Emily, Gilchrist, Leven, Malmedal, Pelican, Reno, and Strandness. Comments must be received by Oct. 17, 2012.
Phosphorus has been identified as the primary pollutant leading to excessive growth of plants, such as algae, in these lakes. The study determined phosphorus reductions ranging from 35 to 90 percent are needed for these lakes to meet state standards.
Copies of the TMDL report are available for review at the MPCA office in Detroit Lakes and on the MPCA website.
For more information about this report or to learn how to submit a comment, check the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website or call Tim James at the MPCA’s Detroit Lakes office at 218-846-8103.

Grants available from NW MN Arts Council

Fellowship grants of $1,500.00 and $5,000.00 are available for adult individuals from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.  The application deadline is October 15, 2012.  The Arts Council serves the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.  Therefore individuals applying must reside in those counties to apply.  

Performing artists such as musicians, actors, and dancers; visual artists and fine craft artists; photographers, videographers, and computer artists; literary artists such as poets, prose, and short story novelists; screenwriters, storytellers, and a variety of other disciplines are all eligible.  There will be a grant information session on September 27, 2012 at 4:00 pm in Warren.  Also, the grant information session is now on You Tube.  A link to the two videos can be found on our website ww.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org in the grants section or by requesting the link from mara@nwrdc.org. One-on-one assistance is available by phone or appointment with Mara Wittman, Arts Council Director.

High School students interested in performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts can apply for grant support.  Our Student Artist Training Mentorship program gives twenty students from our region $500.00 to spend on instruction, supplies, and some travel costs.  The process of applying for a grant gives the student a worthwhile experience in writing a grant and participating in the review process.  Students can choose to attend a workshop or camp experience that is not for school credit or work one-on-one with a professional in their arts discipline.  This application process is also outlined in a You Tube video and the link is  http://youtu.be/U4d4ieXKBps   

Application materials for all the grant programs are available from Mara Lunde Wittman, Arts Council Director, NWRDC, 115 South Main, Warren, MN  56762, (218) 745-9111 or through the agency website at www.northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org in the grants section.  The Arts Council now has an informative E-Newsletter.  Add your name to the list through our web site.  This activity is funded, in part, with funds from The McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature. 

Disaster Assistance Available for North Dakota Small Businesses

Sacramento, CA - Small, nonfarm businesses in 11 North Dakota counties and neighboring counties in South Dakota are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  "These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that occurred from July 24 through September 17, 2012, in the following primary counties," announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Primary North Dakota counties: Foster, Logan and McIntosh;

Neighboring North Dakota counties: Dickey, Eddy, Emmons, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Stutsman and Wells;

Neighboring South Dakota counties:  Campbell and McPherson.

"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster," Judd said.

Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

"Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage.  These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship," Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster.  Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster on September 19, 2012.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance.  Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary's declaration.  However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877‑8339.

The deadline to apply for these loans is May 20, 2013.

SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

ATV Fall Convention Sept 14-16

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) will be holding its annual fall convention the weekend of September 14th-16th in Isle, Minnesota.  All ATV enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the convention that will include festivities ranging from organized rides to ATVAM’s famous auction.  

George Radke, President of ATVAM said, "We are thrilled to visit McQuoid’s Inn again and enjoy the wonderful trail riding opportunities and the many other activities that the community of Isle offers.  ATVAM encourages all ATV enthusiasts from across the state to join them for ATV riding and many other events.”

The Mille Lacs Drift Skippers ATV and Snowmobile club based out of Central Minnesota is hosting the fall Convention and sponsoring the bonfire and barbeque on Friday evening for those registered.  Mike DeVine, member of the Drift Skippers ATV and Snowmobile Club is excited to invite ATV riders to the Mille Lacs Lake area.  Mike said, "We have put a lot of time and effort into planning this convention and it should be a huge success, and most importantly a lot of fun." DeVine continued, “We’re excited to showcase part of the new Northwoods Regional Trail System which includes the Solana, Red Top and Foxy loops. The Northwoods Regional Trail System connects more than 500 miles of excellent trail riding opportunities.”

The three-day event is packed full of things to do for the whole family.  Festivities will include: organized ATV trail rides, information about new ATV laws and safety features, and time for members to discuss ATV related issues with ATVAM's officers and government relations staff. Polaris has sponsored the convention this year and will host the Saturday evening dinner for all registered guests.

For more information or to pre-register call (800)-HI-ATVAM or visit www.atvam.org.  For details on the Mille Lacs Drift Skippers ATV Club please visit their site https://sites.google.com/a/millelacsdriftskippers.org/www/.  On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 14^th at McQuoid’s Inn and will be available on Saturday morning as well.  Banners will be displayed at both McQuoid’s Inn, and the ATVAM blimp will be flying above the hotel from Friday morning on.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) is a non-profit organization with more than 14,000 members statewide. ATVAM was founded in 1983 and is working to; build a statewide ATV trail system, promote ATV safety, safeguard ATV-related successes in the state legislature, and defend ATV user interests.  For more information on ATVAM, visit www.atvam.org.

Harvets Safety

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this fall need to be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. This message comes following two recent crashes, including one fatal crash, involving farm equipment. 

“Harvest season is in full swing and farmers in every corner of the state are out using the highways,” said Sue Groth, state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roads.”

Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The machines also make wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. 

During 2009-2011, there were 409 traffic crashes on Minnesota roads involving at least one farm vehicle, resulting in 18 fatalities and 229 injuries. Of the 18 fatalities, seven were farm vehicle riders; of the 229 injuries, 69 were farm vehicle riders, according to the Department of Public Safety.

“The leading contributing crash factors in farm equipment/vehicle crashes are inattention, speeding and unsafe passing,” Groth said. “When approaching farm equipment, motorists should slow down and use extreme caution.”

Motorists should:

Watch for debris dropped by trucks hauling sugar beets and other crops. It is safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.

Wait for a safe place to pass.

Wear seatbelts.

Drive with headlights on at all times.

Farm equipment operators should:

Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.

Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.

Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night.

Disaster Assistance Available for North Dakota Small Businesses

Sacramento, CA - Small, nonfarm businesses in 16 North Dakota counties and neighboring counties in Minnesota are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  "These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that occurred July 10 through September 3, 2012, in the following counties," announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Primary North Dakota counties:  Barnes, Cass, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Steele, Traill;

Neighboring North Dakota counties:  Benson, Eddy, Foster, LaMoure, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Stutsman, Walsh;

Neighboring Minnesota counties:  Clay, Marshall, Norman and Polk.

"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster," Judd said.

Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

"Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage.  These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship," Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster.  Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster on September 5, 2012.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance.  Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary's declaration.  However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 

Saturday Walk-in Clinic Resuming, Essentia Health Ada

Tuesday, September 04, 2012, Ada, MN – Just in time for the school season, Essentia Health Ada will resume the Saturday Walk-In Clinic, starting on September 8^th. Hours are 9am-noon every Saturday.

The purpose of the Walk-In Clinic is to offer convenient, non-emergent care when a patient can’t see his/her primary care provider. The Essentia Health Ada Clinic Saturday walk-in clinic will be open every Saturday from 9am-noon and will be staffed by a Physician or Mid-level provider. For patient ease, it is walk-in only, no appointments necessary.

Visit the walk-in clinic when you have a general non-emergency illness or injury such as:

Allergies                                Bladder Infections                           Bronchitis

Ear Infections                       Fever                                                  Abrasions

Laryngitis                              Pink Eye & Styes                             Respiratory Infections

Sinus Infections                   Strep Throat                                      Minor Injuries

Athletes Foot                       Cold Sores                                        Minor Rashes          

Minor Skin Infections          Minor Sunburn                                 Poison Ivy/Oak

Shingles                               Swimmer’s Itch                                Tick/Insect Bites      

Minor Lacerations               Fish Hooks

. 

For more information, please contact the Essentia Health Ada at 218-784-2727 or visit our blog at www.wereherewithyou.org.