First Day Hikes at MN State Parks

First day hikes will take place at 14 Minnesota state parks on Monday, Jan. 1, as part of a nationwide effort, led by America's state parks, to promote starting the new year with fresh air and physical activity. More than 400 hikes are scheduled in all 50 states.

Minnesota’s events include five daytime hikes, four snowshoe hikes, three full moon hikes. First day hikes are free.

This year, for the first time, there’s an underground option too: Guided tours of the cave at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park will take place hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Discovered in 1937, Mystery Cave is the longest cave in Minnesota, spanning more than 13 miles underground.  Typically, public cave tours are offered only between April and October. During the summer months, visitors often find the cave a cool and refreshing escape from the heat. In the winter, it will be the opposite. People will be able to come in from the cold weather to warm up, because the air temperature in Mystery Cave stays at a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

Reservations for the cave tours are recommended, but tours also will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, if space is available. For information about tour prices and to make reservations, visit www.mndnr.gov/reservations or call 866-857-2757.

People should dress for the weather, so ideally in layers that can shed when they warm up as they get moving. They may also want to bring a light backpack to store a water bottle, a nutritious snack, binoculars, a camera, and those extra layers of clothing.

A vehicle permit ($7 for a one-day permit or $35 for a year-round permit) is also required to enter Minnesota state parks.

For more information, contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.

Livestock Grazing Tour

Attention all livestock producers…an educational tour is being held and there are still openings available.  Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service and Giziibii Resource Conservation and Development Association are joining together to host a tour of local grazing systems in Beltrami County.  The tour will include several sites with rotational grazing systems that are in varying stages of completion (starting construction to 8+ years of established grazing management).  Information on maximizing forage production through proper grazing will be discussed.

Tour will be held on August 24^th from 9 am to 4 pm.  Participants will travel by motor coach from Tenstrike Community Church to sites in the Blackduck area.  Lunch is included in the cost of registration.

Participants will learn techniques, sources for supplies, recommendations for quick success and a brief overview of local and federal resources available to help.  Pre-registration is required and must be completed by noon, August 17^th.  Space is limited so do not wait!  Fee to attend is only $10.00 to cover expenses. 

To register, contact the Beltrami SWCD at 218-333-4158. 

This environmental learning opportunity is brought in partnership with Enbridge through an Ecofootprint grant funded to Giziibii RC&D.  Giziibii RC&D is a nonprofit organization serving the counties of Beltrami, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen. 

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

Bicycliststo tour central Minnesota Aug. 13-16

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists may notice an increased number of bicyclists on central Minnesota highways Aug. 13-16 for the annual Bicycling Around Minnesota event, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Approximately 275 bicyclists will travel through Brainerd, Pine River, Crosby and Little Falls on several highways, local routes and bicycle paths during the four days. Bicyclists will travel from 60 to 80 miles each day. Support vehicles may also be on the road during the event.

MnDOT reminds all travelers to share the road and follow all traffic safety laws. 

The law is clear—bicyclists and motorists shareresponsibility. Here are some “rules of the road” to improve safety for both bicyclists and motorists:

·         Motorists should be on the lookout and watch for and yield to bicyclists before turning.

·         Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.

·         Motorists must maintain a three-foot clearance at all times when passing a bicyclist.

·         Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.

·         Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right of way to each other.

·         Bicyclists should communicate their intent by yielding to traffic and signaling before turning or changing lanes.

·         Bicyclists must use head and tail lights when it’s dark.

·         Bicyclists should always wear helmets and bright reflective gear.

·         Motorists should stay alert and avoid distracted driving.

For more information about the 2015 Bicycling Around Minnesota event, visit www.bambiketour.org.

For more information about the “Share the Road” bicycle safety education program, bicycle crash statistics and resource materials, visit www.sharetheroadmn.org.

House DFL announces Statewide Tour over the Legislative Break

Saint Paul, Minnesota – Working with Governor Dayton, legislators started quickly and have worked at a fast-pace this session to build on Minnesota’s progress. Before the Easter/Passover Break, the Minnesota Legislature has:

:

·         Funded emergency provided propane assistance: In the first week of session, the legislature increased assistance to Minnesotans struggling to pay their heating costs during our terribly-cold winter.

·         Provided middle-class tax cuts: Enacted tax cuts for more than one-million middle-class Minnesotans — married couples, adopting families, working families, homeowners, college students and parents.

·         Raised the minimum wage: Just yesterday, the legislature raised Minnesota’s minimum wage in stages to $9.50 for large business $7.75 and small businesses by August 2016. More than 350,000 Minnesotans will get a raise.

Heading in to the Easter/Passover break, legislators are continuing to push for more progress during a statewide tour. Speaker Paul Thissen and Majority Leader Erin Murphy will lead a tour in Greater Minnesota to make the push for priorities that remain this session:

·         Statewide Bonding Bill: The legislature is focused on passing a statewide bonding bill to make critical investments in Minnesota’s infrastructure, including higher education, transportation, housing, economic development, clean water and wastewater systems.

·         Invest in a Greater Minnesota: The House has already passed a supplemental budget that makes critical investments to grow our economy in Greater Minnesota, such as broadband infrastructure, economic development resources, and farm-to-food shelf legislation.

·         More Middle Class Tax Cuts: The House has passed “Tax Bill 2”  - providing $103 million in further tax cuts for Minnesota homeowners, farmers, renters, and small businesses.

·         Women’s Economic Security Act: The House has passed the Women’s Economic Security Act, aimed at closing the gender pay gap, strengthening workplace protections and flexibility for pregnant mothers, and expanding employment opportunities for women in high-wage, high-demand professions.

“This legislature has been very efficient this session to build on Minnesota’s economic momentum, from passing tax cuts for middle-class Minnesotans to approving a minimum wage increase for 350,000 Minnesotans,” said Speaker Paul Thissen. “We still have a lot more work to do this session and we are excited to get on the road to talk with Minnesotans about the priorities that remain for the 2014 session.”

Here is the schedule for the “Building a Greater Minnesota” Tour:

Monday, April 14

Brainerd

Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Joe Radinovich, and others 

Location: Brainerd Lakes Airport, 16384 Airport Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Saint Cloud

Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Zach Dorholt, and others

Location:  SCSU, Eastman Hall, 720 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15

Mankato

Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Clark Johnson, Rep. Kathy Brynaert, and others

Location: Verizon Wireless Center - Ellerbe Room, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Albert Lea

Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Shannon Savick and others

Location: Albert Lea City Hall 221 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16

Sandstone

Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Tim Faust and others  

Sandstone City Hall 119 4th St, Sandstone, MN 55072

Time: 10 a.m.

Bemidji

Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. John Persell, Rep. Roger Erickson, and others

BSU, Memorial Hall, Birchmont Dr NE, Bemidji, MN

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Willmar

Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Mary Sawatzky, Rep. Andrew Falk, and others

Location: TBD

Time: TBD  

Cyrus

Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Jay McNamar and others

Cyrus Fire Hall, W Main Street, Cyrus MN 56323

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Moorhead

Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Ben Lien, Rep. Paul Marquart, and others

Moorhead City Council Chambers, Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Tri-Valley Transportation Embarks on Fall Color Tours

(Crookston, Minn.)- Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is offering a convenient way to get out and see the seasonal colors. Tri-Valley Transportation and T.H.E. Bus will again be welcoming back autumn with Fall Leaf Tours to Park Rapids and Warroad. T.H.E. Bus will travel to Park Rapids and Warroad on Friday, September 27th and again to Park Rapids on Monday, September 30th. The cost is $15 for round-trip transportation to Park Rapids and $14 for round-trip transportation to Warroad with several pick-up locations available. For more information or to reserve your seat for the Tri-Valley Fall Leaf Tours call 1-800-201-3432. Leave the driving to Tri-Valley Transportation and T.H.E. Bus!

T.H.E. Bus is a curb to curb service and provides public transportation services to the general public in seven Minnesota counties, Polk, Red Lake, Norman, Marshall, Kittson, Pennington and Clearwater. Buses run through these counties on various days with various destinations. Our public transit buses are available with no age limits or income guidelines.

Pick-Up Locations:
Friday, September 27
(Park Rapids)Friday, September 27 (Warroad)Monday, September 30
(Park Rapids)
CrookstonThief River FallsEast Grand Forks
ClimaxWarrenRed Lake Falls
NielsvilleArgyle / StephenMentor
ShellyDonaldson / KennedyErskine
HalstadHallockMcIntosh
AdaLake Bronson / HalmaFosston
Twin ValleyKarlstadThief River Falls


Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is a not-for-profit community action agency headquartered in Crookston, Minn. In existence since 1965, Tri-Valley provides services in 84 counties in Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota. The mission of Tri-Valley is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities. For more information on services offered and job opportunities at Tri-Valley visit the website at http://www.tvoc.org, follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TVOCInc or on Twitter at @TriValley.TVOC.

Row Crop Tour Set for Sept. 5

Farmers, crop advisers and agricultural industry representatives are invited to attend a row-crop field tour on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center. The tour will begin at 4 p.m. and conclude with a sponsored supper.

Participants will view field research trials and receive production recommendations on corn, dry beans and soybeans, according to Greg Endres, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist.

"Our objective is to concisely discuss as many production subjects and share as much research trial data as possible to give participants information they can utilize for their farms or farm clients," Endres says.

The tour agenda includes:

* Corn growing season review, plant establishment and intensive management

* Dry bean plant establishment and disease management overview

* Soybean variety selection and plant establishment

* Row crop disease management with emphasis on root rots, white mold (sclerotinia) and soybean cyst nematode

Tour speakers include NDSU agronomists and plant pathologists, plus industry agronomists.

North Dakota commodity organizations associated with the crops covered during the tour are refreshment and meal sponsors, and will provide brief updates on their activities during supper.

Continuing education credits will be available for certified crop advisers participating in the event.

Additional information about the tour is available from the Carrington REC at (701) 652-2951 or on the Web at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/CarringtonREC.

MSCA Summer Tour and Trade Show

The Northwestern Stockmen’s Association (NWSA) announces that it has been selected to host the 2013 Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Summer Beef Tour and Trade Show. Each year, a MSCA chapter showcases what it has to offer in terms of livestock facilities and operations, cattle handling techniques and practices, and other industry related enterprises to over 700 participants and vendors from around the state, region, and country.

The MSCA Summer Beef Tour & Trade Show will be held July 9th, 2013 in Roseau, MN. The Roseau County Fairgrounds will be the gathering location, with planned stops at Bear Creek Ranch, CarlSon Angus, Waage Farms, Isane Farms, Burkel Grain Service, Central Boiler, and Skime Ranch. Registration begins at 6:00 a.m. with buses departing at 7:00, 7:10, and 7:20. All meals will be provided on the tour. Visit www.mnsca.org for registration information.

The University of Minnesota Extension will participate in the event through an exhibit at the Roseau County Fairgrounds staffed by Deborah Zak, Regional Director, Northwest, and Alfredo DiConstanzo, Extension Animal Scientist, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.

Luher College Jazz Orchestra to perform at Hope Lutheran in Fargo

As part of their five-stop April tour, the Luther College Jazz Orchestra will perform at Hope Lutheran Church, North Campus, 2900 Broadway N, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20.  

The performance by the 20-member Jazz Orchestra is open to the public. A freewill donation will be accepted.

Under the direction of Juan Tony Guzman, associate professor of music and education at Luther, the Jazz Orchestra has come to be recognized as one of the outstanding liberal arts college jazz ensembles in the Upper Midwest.

Guzman, a native of the Dominican Republic and a 1990 Luther graduate, has led the ensemble through the many genres of jazz for more than 17 years in addition to maintaining an active career as an arranger and band, orchestral and choral conductor across the world.

The 2013 Jazz Orchestra tour concerts will include classic standards by Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Astor Piazzolla, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker in addition to more recent compositions by Gordon Goodwin, Rick Lawn, and Luther's own composer-in-residence, Brooke Joyce. Traditional Brazilian dance music arranged for the ensemble will also be featured to round out a diverse program of Latin, swing and fusion styles.

The Jazz Orchestra is one of the four main touring ensembles of Luther College with an annual tour schedule including international travel every four years. Recent performances include the Festival No Improviso, in Curitiba, Brazil, the Iowa Jazz Championships, and the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference. The Jazz Orchestra has recorded two albums, "Transformations: Celebrating Jazz at Luther" and "On the Move," with a third album to be released later this year.

Luther College is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the world with six choirs, three bands, three orchestras, two jazz bands and numerous chamber ensembles, totaling nearly 1,000 student musicians. Luther students perform in large ensembles, master classes, and faculty-coached chamber groups and jazz combos. More than 300 music majors study music performance, education, composition, theory, jazz, history, ethnomusicology and church music.

Row-crop field tour at Carrington

The North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center is hosting a row-crop field tour on Thursday, Aug. 30. The tour will begin at 4 p.m. and conclude with a sponsored supper. Farmers, crop advisers, agricultural industry representatives and those interested in row-crops are invited to
attend.

Participants will view field research trials and receive production recommendations on sunflowers, dry beans, soybeans and corn, according to Greg Endres, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist.

"Our objective is to concisely show and discuss as many research trials as possible to give participants information and ideas they can utilize for their farms or agribusinesses," Endres says.

The tour agenda includes:

* Dry bean variety performance and plant establishment (tillage systems, planting dates and row spacing)

* Corn-growing season review, plant establishment and intensive management (hybrids, plant populations and use of special seed and foliar products)

* Soybean varieties, plant establishment and nutrition, plus special inputs

* Row-crop disease management with emphasis on seed treatments and white mold (sclerotinia)

Tour speakers include NDSU agronomists, plant breeders and plant pathologists, plus industry agronomists.

North Dakota commodity organizations associated with the crops covered during the tour are refreshment and meal sponsors and will provide brief updates on their activities during supper.

Continuing education credits will be available for certified crop advisers participating in the event.

Additional information about the tour is available from the Carrington REC at (701) 652-2951 or on the Web at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/CarringtonREC/.
---- (NDSU Agriculture Comm)