U of M recognizes Farm Families of the Year for 2013

ST. PAUL (July 18, 2013)—This year, 75 families from throughout Minnesota will be honored as a 2013 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.

The families will be recognized in ceremonies set for 1:30 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8 at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls.

Local Extension committees chose the families for demonstrating commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture. The families represent each county participating in the program.

"Farm families and agriculture are a major driver of Minnesota's economy and the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities," said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. "The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these outstanding families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities."

More on Farmfest is available at www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest.

Honorees from our region include:

Becker: John and Linda Schouviller Family

Clay: Brian and Barb Kimm

Clearwater: Tom and Corrinne Anderson

Kittson: Roger and Bernice Anderson

Lake of the Woods: Darrell and Doris Nelson

Norman: Loren and Deb Eken Farm

Otter Tail: Leaderbrand Brothers

Polk: Neal and Jolene Anderson

Red Lake: David and Peggy Miller

Roseau: Ray and Lillian Christianson

Lake Region Extension Roundup Set for Jan. 3-4

The 2012 Lake Region Extension Roundup will be Jan. 3-4 in Devils Lake.

The annual event, which the North Dakota State University Extension Service organizes, offers presentations on a wide range of agricultural production and family topics.

"This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest updates in ag production, crop economics, livestock and horticulture," says Bill Hodous, Ramsey County Extension cropping systems agent.

Both days start with breakfast at 8 a.m. General and concurrent sessions begin at 9:30. The general sessions are in the World War II Memorial Building. Concurrent sessions will be in the Memorial Building's basement, the Armory Room, and the Historical Room and meeting room in the adjoining Ramsey County Courthouse.

General session topics on Jan. 3 include slowing weed resistance, leaf tissue analysis and micro- nutrients, the 2012 spring wheat outlook, small-grain insect and disease transmission, applying fungicide for scab, adding adjuvants to spray solutions and why wheat yields were lower than expected.

Concurrent session topics that day include land worth, agricultural contracts, cover crops, cell phone applications for agriculture, salinity and tiling, land rent negotiations, farm transitions, Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation assistance for 2012, apple tree selection and growing tips, how to kill lawn weeds, a parenting tool box, winter wheat, corn-growing strategies and barley trends.

Topics for the general sessions Jan. 4 include controlling dandelions, Canada thistle, foxtail barley and yellow toadflax; the 2011 canola overview; corn industry update; 2011 fungicide response in wheat; new rust in spring wheat; and flexible rent options.

Concurrent session topics that day include using geographic information systems to enhance crop productivity, new findings in soybean production, dry beans, on- farm feedlot monitoring results, a cow's worth from a feeding perspective, maximizing the value of future calf crops, beef genomics, possible changes in the new farm bill, new opportunities in canola, managing prevented planting acreage, benefits and drawbacks of trees for conservation, and on-farm tile drainage monitoring results.

Other events on Jan. 4 include the presentation of the Water Steward Award. Also, the guest speaker, cowboy poet and humorist Rodney Nelson, will focus on the light side of rural life.

Attending the roundup is free of charge. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact your county Extension Service office or Hodous at (701) 662-7027 or bill.hodous@ndsu.edu.