MN Master Naturalist Volunteer Training

DECEMBER 2017, Morris Minn. — Do you enjoy learning about the natural world?  If so, consider becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer! 

Headwaters Science Center, Bemidji, MN is hosting a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training beginning February 13^th, 2018.

Master Naturalist volunteers complete a 40-hour hands-on course with expert instructors and fellow learners – studying natural history, environmental interpretation, and conservation stewardship.  Final certification comes with the completion of 40 hours of volunteer service.  The program offers three courses that correspond to Minnesota’s three major ecosystems – entitled ‘Big Woods, Big Rivers’, ‘Prairies and Potholes’, and ‘Northwoods, Great Lakes’.

This course will cover the natural and cultural history of the “North Woods, Great Lakes” region.  We will provide an in-depth overview of the boreal forest ecosystem and participants will observe and learn about the variety of plant and animal communities of the region.  Through the course, participants will develop their ability to observe nature and will learn tools to improve these skills.  In addition, participants will improve their communication skills by sharing knowledge with other participants and working on a group project.

The classes will be held Tuesdays, February 13^th to April 24^th from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Two Saturday Field Trips are scheduled for February 24^th and April 7^th. The cost for the course is $275.00, including materials. Instructor: Janet Moen, janetkellymoen@gmail.com, 218-280-0324.

Register on-line at https://www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/courses/register/?courseId=733. For registration assistance call Julie Larson at 320-589-1711 Ext. 2120; 1.888.241.4532, or e-mail info@minnesotamasternaturalist.org. Scholarships are available.

Minnesota Master Naturalist is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Service

Cow/Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show in January and February

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (12/22/2016)—The University of Minnesota Beef Team is proud to host the annual Cow/Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show at 10 locations across the state in January and February. This event has been held for over 40 years and continues to be the leading information, technology, and research outlet for cow/calf producers in the state of Minnesota.

The 2017 event will feature information on managing scours in calves, results of a U of M study on the impact of different hay rake designs, grazing management, and results of a U of M study on the impact of hay feeder design on hay waste. Updates from the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association will also highlight the event. The corresponding tradeshow will feature vendors with new information, technology, and products with a wide-array of practical uses for the operators in the cow-calf sector.

The program is directed at cow/calf producers, allied industry representatives, and is open to the public. A meal will be served with the program and a registration fee of $10 per person (register and pay at the door) will include the meal, proceedings book, and program materials.

Location and start times are listed below; each session is approximately three hours. More information can be found at the Cow/Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show website: www.extension.umn.edu/beef or contact Eric Mousel at 218.398.1916, emmousel@umn.edu. 

Southern Tour

JAN 23 – Mora, MN, 5:30 PM, Kanabec County Jail, 18 N Vine Street

JAN 24 – Starbuck, MN, 9:30 AM, Jim Wulf Bull Development Center, 30819 250^th Street

JAN 25 – Pipestone, MN, 9:30 AM, MN West Community & Technical College, 1314 N Hiawatha Avenue

JAN 26 – Oronoco, MN, 5:30 PM, Tony Rossman Farm, 7000 70^thStreet NW

JAN 27 – Le Center, MN, 9:30 AM, Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, 320 S Plut Avenue

Northern Tour

FEB 7 – Staples, MN, 9:30 AM, Central Lakes College, 1830 Airport Road

FEB 7 – Bagley, MN, 5:30 PM, American Legion, 288 Main Avenue N

FEB 8 – Lancaster, MN, 5:30 PM, Community Center

FEB 9 – Roseau, MN, 5:30 PM, Gene’s Bar & Grill, 1095 3^rdStreet NW

FEB 10 – Iron Junction, MN, 5:30 PM, Clinton Community Center, 8907 MN-37

Volunteers Invited to Serve on National Public Lands Day in Park Rapids

Park Rapids, MN (9/24/2016) - The University of Minnesota-Extension Master Naturalist Program, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, invites Park Rapids-area residents to participate in National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on September 24th, 2016 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, volunteers will participate in the largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Since 2012, the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program has facilitated this effort at sites across the state. More than 600 volunteers have removed invasive species, planted pollinator gardens, and protected newly-planted trees, among other projects, for over 3,000 service hours to date. This year, the MN Master Naturalist Program encourages residents to join this growing tradition of stewardship through service at one of 14 locations in Minnesota.

Volunteer registration closes August 26th, 2016. To register, go to: http://www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/courses/ to find the National Public Lands Day sites facilitated by the Minnesota Master Naturalist program. During registration, registrants will be asked for a t-shirt size and dietary needs as each volunteer will receive a free NPLD t-shirt and an on-site lunch. Youth are welcome to attend at most sites, but volunteers will be responsible for supervision.  Please let the program know if you are planning to bring youth..

Volunteers at Itasca State Park will place paper “bud caps” on white, red, and jack pines. All supplies will be provided at the park. They are advised to wear long pants, long shirt sleeves, sturdy footwear, and to bring personal snacks, water bottle, and gloves.

Itasca State Park is located at 36750 Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN 56470.

2015 Minnesota Statewide High Tunnel Conference in Baxter, MN

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (1/15/2015)—University of Minnesota Extension is leading a 2015 Minnesota Statewide High Tunnel Conference, to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17 and 18, at The Arrowwood Lodge At Brainerd Lakes, Baxter, MN. High tunnels (HT), also called hoop houses, are temporary structures that extend the growing season.

A Beginning High Tunnel Grower Workshop with a “Basics of High Tunnel Production” session will be held the morning of the first day, Tuesday, February 17, from 8:00 a.m. to noon for beginning growers and those needing a review. The main conference will begin at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday and run through Wednesday afternoon, February 18.

Keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Steve Bogash, Penn State Extension Educator. Steve will present four different topics:

• Advances in HT Tomato Production: Techniques, Varieties, Nutrition, and Pest Management
• Mechanization of Ventilation in HT
• Advances in HT Bell Pepper Production
• Advances in HT Cucumber Production: Techniques, Varieties, Nutrition, and Pest Management.

  

In addition to the keynote topics, main conference topics include:

• Understanding Spider Mites and Other HT Insects
• Fruit Production in HT
• Oxygen Drip Tape Injection Research
• Understanding Your HT Irrigation Water: Putting It Into Your Total Plan
• Do Colored Ground Plastics Make a Difference in HT Production?
• Effective Pest Scouting and Control Methods, and HT Sprayer Technology
• Current University of Minnesota Research with HT Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant Diseases
• Understanding HT Ventilation in Detail
• Current University of Minnesota Research with Winter Production in HT
• Cover Crops in HT

A new feature this year will be irrigation water testing. Participating growers are encouraged to bring a sample of their irrigation water with them to the conference for free analysis. Water samples (one cup per well; one cup per container) can be placed in a clean self-sealing bag or clean container with lid. One self-sealing bag inside of another works well. Bring samples to day one of the conference.

For more information or to request a brochure and registration form contact Sue Schuler at the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Office, Grand Rapids, MN at 218-327-5958 (ext. 3001) or schul925@umn.edu; or visit the High Tunnel website at http://hightunnels.cfans.umn.edu.