Rural Living

RURAL SPRING 2015 EDITION

START SEEDLINGS IN YOUR HOME ASK A FARMER

Perham, Wadena-Deer Creek students share questions

Living

WOOD DUCK BOXES PROVIDE NESTING SITES PLANT WITH A PURPOSE:

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Supplement to the Perham Contact: Sunday, March 29 and the Wadena Intercom Saturday, March 28

02 RURAL LIVING SPRING 2015

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Photos by Jess Keddy/Wadena Pioneer Journal

Left: The herd of goats goes for a walk. Right: A rainbow appears in the sky after a storm at Rockwood Ranch.

Nothing beats living on the farm JESSICA KEDDY jkeddy@wadenapj.com While growing up north of Wadena, I remember telling people “I live in the country, but not on a farm,” almost as though I thought it was shameful or embarrassing to be a farmer. Let me tell you, times have changed and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Since we relocated back to the area after my mom passed away in 2012, I’m proud to say that I am a farmer. We left the suburbs of Chicago and jobs in the pharmaceutical industry to move back to my stomping grounds. I joke that we left well paying, big pharma jobs for no-paying small farmer jobs.

We relocated with our four kids, a golden retriever and two cats. We now have four dogs, three cats, 29 chickens, six goats and two miniature horses and a feed bill that you wouldn’t believe…and couldn’t be happier.

We bought five acres which has evolved into Rockwood Ranch. Thankfully it is connected to land that my dad owns because I’m pretty sure that our barn and horse pasture isn’t on our property.

We also bale his fields and ditches, with his equipment. I think most neighbors would frown upon that. But lucky for me, he lives 23.4 miles away and doesn’t know about everything that happens when

he’s not there. It’s weird, though, because he’s always there!

It’s really his fault that Rockwood Ranch is even around. You may recall from a column I wrote earlier when he bought an entire herd of goats on Craigslist and had them delivered to our house on a night he knew I wouldn’t be there. After they arrived and were settled, it just seemed logical that we would get into goat breeding and add a couple of horses to the ranch, or hay burners as I lovingly refer to them.

Sadly, we quickly learned that goats are not always cute like they are on the videos that you see on Facebook. Sometimes things go wrong. They get sick and sometimes, they die.

Being a farmer isn’t for the faint of heart. It is WORK - hard work. You don’t get to skip chores because it’s 43 degrees below zero and even colder with the wind chill factored in. If you want to go anywhere overnight you need to have someone come over and take care of your animals.

Chickens poop, a lot. It’s actually quite impressive and it stinks.

Fences. When you live in a township that has ROCK in the name, you are bound to hit every single one while pounding down fence posts … twice.

Fencing is expensive, and if you take any shortcuts the goats find it one second later and end up in your

Misty and Buck hang out in the pasture. Teddy is in the background but couldn't be bothered for a photo.

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Photo by Jess Keddy/Wadena Pioneer Journal

Left: Goats Bria and Bonnie play 'King of the Hill' at Rockwood Ranch. Right: Rebecca Keddy holds her (now deceased) rooster, Dark Powers. He thought it was a good idea to chase people and try to kill them.

neighbors’ pasture chasing their cattle. Sadly that neighbor isn’t my dad.

It seems like we have to learn everything the hard way. For example, we bought and planted more than $250 worth of apple and pear trees when our goats (which put Houdini to shame) got out and ate them … all of them. We plan on replanting as soon as the ground thaws. This time, though, we will have cattle panels in place, with a touch of electricity for an extra incentive for them to stay out.

Everyone on our ranch has specific jobs. Our 5-year-old boys pick the eggs out of the laying boxes and feed and water the cats. Our 9-year-old girls feed and water the chick-

ens, horses and dogs. My husband and I do the rest.

The kids help where they can and love anything that requires the use of a skid steer, four-wheeler or tractor (you know, the ones that our neighbor owns)!

We are all in agreement that cleaning the chicken coop is nasty and that sometimes it would be easier to remove the chickens, burn down our barn and rebuild. Thankfully it’s never been that bad, although it’s been close.

Even though it’s stressful, expensive, time consuming and frustrating, it is totally worth it. Eating an egg that your chickens laid, eating a raspberry off a bush in your yard or cutting fresh rhubarb is what

makes it all worthwhile.

Clearing invasive weed species with goats rather than pouring poison into the ground in hopes of killing it is invigorating. We are teaching our children responsibility, self-reliability, strong work ethic and all about the circle of life. And we’re having fun doing it.

I would honestly choose the exact same path we did, although not for the reason it all happened. Nothing beats rural life.

Sometimes we miss the conveniences of a large city but Brainerd is only an hour away and Minneapolis is 2 and a half hours away. Plus, UPS will bring you almost anything you need in two days!

Watching our kids grow

up here is amazing. They can go out exploring, practice target shooting, climb trees and receive an awesome education. The people here are friendly - except when your goats are out, chasing their cattle. t Concrete

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How to plant your garden from scratch Planting a garden from scratch can sound like a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the hobby. But with the right knowledge, you can plan a successful, fruitful green space and expect to have a great harvest.

One way to get a head start on your garden is to start your seedlings indoors and then transplant them later into an outdoor garden.

This time-tested technique can save you hundreds of dollars annually, as young plants at a nursery can be pricey. Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of this method: -Don’t start your indoor plants too soon. They can grow in about four weeks or less if you use a highquality garden starter. Check seed packages to learn when to plant outdoors in your area, and then start them indoors one month earlier to your transplanting date outdoors.

-Consider using a seed-starting system that takes some of

the gardening guesswork out of the equation. For example, the Aerogarden Seed Starting system allows you to start up to 66 seedlings indoors with no dirt or mess, nurturing seeds with optimal amounts of water and nutrients for reliable germination and healthy growth.

-Add new nutrients to the seedlings every two weeks and keep the water at full level. Feeding your plants more than the recommended amount will not make them grow faster. In fact, it could hurt the plants.

-Before transplanting, seedlings need to be hardened off.

Skipping this step will almost certainly result in some or all of your plants dying. Hardening off seedlings eases their transition to the outdoors, where Stock photo

Starting summer plants indoors can give gardeners a leg-up on shorter growing seasons.

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they will be exposed to the elements. The process involves gradually exposing plants to the outdoors, protecting them from full sunlight, temperature variations and wind.

-Don’t let sprouts get too big before transplanting them outdoors. Ideally they should be about 4-6 inches tall. If possible, wait to plant your seedlings on a cool, cloudy day.

If your seedlings get too

large before weather will allow transplanting outdoors, transplant them into small pots with high quality potting soil. Keep fully watered in a sunny space until weather permits transplanting outdoors.

-After transplanting seedlings outdoors, be sure to water them daily for the first two weeks, especially if the weather is dry and sunny.

-Save and reuse your seed starter tray for the next season. Once the spring plants have been transplanted outdoors, you will be free to get a head start on your summer crop.

More tips to start your seedlings can be found at www.Aerogarden.com.

For true green thumb bragging rights, grow your garden from scratch. Just be sure you know the tricks of the trade.

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Brainerd Brainerd 10727 Brent Dr Dr 10727 Brent Brainerd, Brainerd, MN MN 56401 56401 Phone: Phone: 218.829.8365 218.829.8365 Toll-free: 800.247.8815 Toll-free: 800.247.8815 Alexandria Alexandria 6049 Highway 29 S 6049 Highway 29 S Alexandria, MN 56308 Alexandria, MN 56308 Phone: 320.763.3667

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08 RURAL LIVING SPRING 2015

Photo by Kile Brewer/Grand Forks Herald

As the 2015 farming season begins, farmers are reminded to slow down and think to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Farm safety: ‘Slow down and think’ JONATHAN KNUTSON Forum News Service Spring planting is approaching, and the Farm Bureau wants farmers and their employees to keep safety at the top of their todo list.

“Safety is the most important thing. We just want to remind people of that,” says John Fichtner, a Thompson farmer and president of the county Farm Bureau.

The group sponsored its second annual safety meeting earlier this month in the shop of Brent Schmitz, a Mekinock farmer.

The meeting, open to the public, drew about 75 people, most of them Farm Bureau members and their employees. The three-hour meeting included presentations on first aid, highway safety and working around power lines — subjects that farmers generally understand already.

But as farms get bigger, more farm employees have a limited ag background, increasing the need for safety education, Fichtner says.

And even experienced farmers and farm employees benefit from reminders on staying safe,

he says.

An important part of the meeting came between the informational sessions, when farmers and employees visited among themselves and shared memories of preventable accidents in the past.

“Reminiscing about things that went wrong helps you focus on avoiding mistakes in the future,” Fichtner says.

The federal government rates farming as among the 10 most dangerous occupations. Big equipment poses the greatest threat, and staying alert is essential, according to information from the

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2012, 373 farmers and farmworkers were killed, with an average of 167 ag workers hurt each day, according to government statistics.

Farmers understand the dangers, but it’s good to be reminded of them, Schmitz says.

“Farming is a really dangerous occupation. Everybody needs a refresher course now and then,” he says.

Because planting is so important, especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate, farmers can rush and unknowingly take

chances they otherwise wouldn’t, Fichtner says.

His advice for farmers: “Slow down and think,” he says.

There are many sources of information on farm safety including www.mda.state.mn.us/news/ events/farmsafetyweek.aspx.

Jonathan Knutson is a staff writer for Agweek. To subscribe to the weekly agriculture magazine, call (800) 811-2580 or email subscriptions@agweek.com.

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Construct a wood duck box, make a difference

Thousands of rough cut structures have been built In precolonial times, the wood duck was likely the most abundant waterfowl species in eastern North America.

Unfortunately, their distribution within densely settled regions made them readily accessible to market hunters throughout the year. Overharvesting, coupled with the destruction of bottomland habitats, drove these colorful birds to the brink of extinction by the early 20th century. The dramatic rebound of wood duck populations since that time can be largely attributed to protection provided by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. However, the recovery of the wood duck was also assisted by the advent of artificial nesting structures, or wood duck boxes.

In 1937, the U.S. Biological Survey (now the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) erected 486 barkcovered slab wooden boxes, which are thought to have been designed by biologists Gil Gigstead and Milford Smith at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge in central Illinois. This represented the first recorded use of artificial nesting structures for wood ducks.

Over the next two years, Arthur Hawkins and renowned wood duck expert Frank Bellrose erected 700 rough-cut cypress board boxes throughout Illinois. More than half were used by “wood-

ies,� revealing the great management potential of the boxes. Since these pioneering efforts, thousands of wood duck boxes have been built and erected by a diversity of people and groups, from wildlife agencies to conservationminded private citizens.

Wood duck females typically build their nests in tree cavities near wetlands. When a prospective cavity is found, a hen wood duck will land in the tree and carefully inspect the site for a variety of characteristics, including size, shape and security from predators and the elements. In many areas, wood ducks have difficulty finding suitable natural nesting sites.

Wood duck boxes provide a man-made alternative,

where hens can nest in relative safety from predators. The deployment of large numbers of nesting boxes can be used to help increase local or regional populations of wood ducks in areas where natural cavities are limited.

Several important factors must be considered when selecting sites to place wood duck boxes.

Suitable brood habitat must be available within a couple of hundred yards in order for ducklings to survive once they exit the box. In addition, shallow, fertile wetlands with thick cover and an abundance of invertebrates typically provide the best habitat for broods. Ideally, boxes should be erected on either wooden posts or metal conduits outfitted

Photo by Brian Hansel

A hen wood duck sits snug and safe on her nest in a wood duck box on an Otter Tail County pond.

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THE NEXT

Are You Ready For Calving Season?

Patz Patz V350 V350

SKID LOADERS • Vertical TMRs • Belt conveyors • Belt feeders • Chain conveyors • Alley scrapers • Barn cleaners, chain p • Manure pumps rs • Silo unloaders • Parts & service

All are reliable, solid performers that are built 300-750 to last.

R 1 9 0 straw • Spreads straw - saves Lift Height 120.5” Rated Capacity 1,900 lbs. saves money!

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• Feeds round or square bales: R 2 2 0 one machine Lift Height 123” Rated Capacity 2,200 lbs. does 3 jobs R 2 6 0 saves money!

Lift Height 123”

R SERIES

reliable, solid performers that are built 300-750 to last.

Straw Spreader & Silage Feeder

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Experience the Anderson

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10 YE AR OFF

MID-CENTRAL EQUIPMENT • www.midcentralequipment.com

Patz Dealer THE NEXT THE NEXT

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effective. Care must be taken to ensure that the guard fits tightly against the post and that no overhanging tree limbs allow predators to bypass the predator shield.

Although duckling production from nest boxes represents only a small percentage of that produced from natural cavities, wood duck boxes provide an excellent opportunity for anyone to become involved in wildlife management. By building, installing and maintaining nest boxes, individuals can gain insight into the interesting aspects of wood duck nesting and reproduction, while helping to boost local populations.

MID-CENTRAL EQUIPMENT • www.midcentralequipment.com ader, cab & heat, 600 hrs. ......................... $26,900 Gehl 2240 swing frame 12’ mower cond. .................................. $2,900 Hwy. 210 West, Henning, MN • (218) 583-2931 or (218) 583-4124 der, cab/heat, 1800 hrs. ............................. $17,500 Vermeer BP7000 bale processor, only used on 700 bales ..... $13,900 ader, heater ............................................... $10,500 Vermeer skid loader mount bale slicer ...................................... $1,250 ader, cab & heat, 1300 hrs. like new ......... $19,900 Farmhand 880 round bale chopper, 1000 PTO ......................... $3,995 loader, new tires, 2300 hrs. ...................... $15,900 Schwartz 130 feed wagon w/new chain, nice ............................ $1,650 1226345 der, diesel, Kubota engine ........................... $9,600 499 New Holland 12’ haybine, reconditioned and ready to go .. $7,200 der, Ford gas engine, 2500+ hrs. ................ $7,200 JD 145 loader ............................................................................ $2,000

box for nesting material.

The female will use this to cover the eggs during laying or when she takes feeding breaks during incubation. Boxes should be cleaned out and replenished with fresh nesting material every year in late winter, before hens initiate nesting in early spring.

All nesting boxes should be secured to protect hens and their clutches from nest predators, especially raccoons and rat snakes. The most effective way to provide defense from these marauders is to install a predator guard on the pole supporting the box. Conical predator guards made of sheet metal are most

er, cab/heat, 1800 hrs. ............................. $17,500 Vermeer BP7000 bale processor, only used on 700 bales ..... $13,900 der, heater ............................................... $10,500 Vermeer skid loader mount bale slicer ...................................... $1,250 ENT Gehl 4610 skid loader w/bucket, manure fork ........................... $5,900 der, cab & heat, 1300 hrs. like new ......... $19,900 Farmhand 880 round bale chopper, 1000 PTO ......................... $3,995 r, like new newtires, rubber $7,900130 feed Gehlwagon 4625SX 1800 hrs., univ. oader, 2300......................................... hrs. ...................... $15,900 Schwartz w/newskid chain,loader, nice ............................ $1,650quick tach, heater . $11,500 tractor belly mower ............................... er, diesel,w/5’ Kubota engine ........................... $9,600 499$2,500 New Holland haybine, reconditioned and ready to go .. $7,200 NH12’489 haybine, 9’ .................................................................... $3,950 er, gas engine, 2500+ hrs. ................ $7,200 JD $5,600 145 loader ............................................................................ $2,000 MRFord w/scale ..................................................

Gehl 2170 haybine, 9’, nice ....................................................... $3,500

with predator guards.

While many types and styles of wood duck boxes have been produced from a variety of materials over the years, those made from rough-cut lumber, like the original prototypes built by Hawkins and Bellrose, seem to work best. Rough-cut, unfinished lumber is preferred because ducklings have no trouble climbing the inside of the box with their sharp claws to reach the exit hole. In plastic or metal structures, which have slick surfaces, hardware cloth ladders must be installed to provide ducklings with an escape route. Ideally, a four-inch layer of wood shavings should be added to each

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EHD! in 1973, Ge ir desig iss increased sign, em GEQUIPMENT MID-CENTRAL EQUIPMENT perfoRI D! ea Gehlor4610 loader w/bucket,(218) manure forkWest ........................... $5,900 INRI www.midcentralequipment.com Naulic USED crOion www.midcentralequipment.com (218) 583-2931 (218)skid 583-4124 VE Meyer’s Meyer’s Equipment Equipment ON Odr in id loader 583-4124 TI de EVEV hy S AR S ARVE OLU ncing the 583-2931 or (218) 583-4124 iaryTI its first sk cades enha(218) xilLU Hwy. 210 West • Henning, MN • Corporation offers a S HA S HA ing XT www.midcentralequipment.com ERER sed au NE ine the Bu sild s tractor, ADAD E NE Einc reaXT www.midcentralequipment.com mb r de ha ha THTH LOLO co hl hl IH 3388 2+2 like new rubber ......................................... $7,900 fou Gehl 4625SX skid loader, 1800 hrs., univ. quick tach, heater . $11,500 t ID ID Ge Ge Manufacturing Manufacturing ers (218) 583-2931 or (218) 583-4124 , , las www.midcentralequipment.com ad SK SK 73 73 L L LoGehl 4610 Equipment to w/bucket, on t the n. n. Good EH inr19 in 19 ensig USED meloader rde skid manureHand fork ........................... $5,900 SkidUsed GEH GEQUIPMENT sig sp s co de de de IN IN s wide range of heavy rie loa loa ir ir ha Se id id www.midcentralequipment.com the the R try sk sk us ing Chalmers ewCA tractorthew/5’ nc ind Allis belly mower $2,500 haing NHoffers 489 9’ .................................................................... $3,950 its fitractor, itsrstfirst rd............................... e all en ennc Corporation Corporation offers ahaybine, a wa sha ing es the the-n an IHBu3388 like new rubber ......................................... $7,900 for4610 Gehl 4625SX skid loader, 1800 hrs., univ. quick tach, heater . $11,500 ild ild2+2 casde bineThine Buing gehl.com dede USED EQUIPMENT d featur Gehl skid loader w/bucket, manure fork ........................... $5,900 spreaders mb mb r de rca coEquipment coEquipment foutGood fou -new ca duty manure all lastlas ad aders iab Hwy. 210 $5,600 West • Henning, MN anHand Lo Loers thet the Good Used on on Hand rel to ilit toy th t en idUsed gines an9’d.................................................................... me Sksid Sk hl wi spen sp Gehl trailer TMR w/scale ..................................................

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IV IVgin Gehl583-2931 2240 swing frame 12’ mower cond.loader, .................................. $2,900quick tach, heater rTie r600 mloader, reased au $26,900(218) froGe ct m ed&fiTie ed (218) 583-2931 or or rti Gehl 4840 1800 hrs. ............................. $17,500 Vermeer BP7000 bale processor, only usedoron(218) 700583-4124 bales ..... $13,900 expe exctpefro (218) 583-2931 ce ce. skid loader, cab/heat, s cecab/heat, srticefi.................................................. an an.inc rm rm............................. ion rfo rfo ission MID-CENTRAL MID-CENTRAL EQUIPMENT pe pe Gehl 8285 trailer TMR w/scale $5,600 Gehl 2170 haybine, 9’,only nice ....................................................... $3,500 Gehl 4840 skid loader, 1800 hrs. $17,500 em em Vermeer BP7000 bale processor, on 700 bales ..... $13,900EQUIPMENT Allis CA tractor w/5’ belly mower ............................... $2,500 NH 489 haybine, 9’used .................................................................... $3,950 lic n, iss au www.midcentralequipment.com sig sig (218) (218) 583-4124 583-4124 drhyaudrlic deChalmers den, hy y y iar iar xil xil Hwy. Hwy. 210 210 West West • Henning, • Henning, MN MN • • Gehl skid loader, heater ............................................... $10,500cond.

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12 RURAL LIVING

Create a Healthy Ecosystem in Your Own Yard

This season, help promote a healthy ecosystem by learning to identify and control damaging plants and insects in your yard.

Information about common invasive species and backyard invaders is now being offered

by Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE): Invasive Plants Invasive weeds can out-compete native species, changing the local ecosystem. Many varieties, first introduced as flora to plant in gardens, can be confused with similar, native varieties.

Here are two common damaging ones to watch out for: -Purple Loosestrife, native to Europe and Asia, is found in most states.

One plant can produce more than two million seeds annually.

-The Tree-of-Heaven, native to China, was widely planted as an ornamental plant for many years and is often confused with other trees having similar leaves, such as black walnut, butternut, and most sumac.

Invasive Insects Invasive insects can also have a severe negative impact on native species by out-competing them for food and resources. Many also cause and carry disease and prey on native species.

Two common ones to look out for include: -Emerald Ash Borer, native to Asia, is prominently found across the

Northeast, Midwest, and Southeastern United States. The larvae do the most damage, killing ash trees by feeding on the inner bark.

-Zebra Mussel, native to lakes in southern Russia, is found in hundreds of waterways throughout the United States. The species commonly clog water intakes, damage boats and can cause cuts and scrapes if they grow on rocks, swim rafts, and ladders.

Backyard Pests Did you know native plants and insects can cause damage too?

-Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Left untreated, Lyme disease infects the joints, heart, and nervous system. After time spent outdoors, check for ticks, especially in and around your ears, inside your belly button, behind your knees, around your waist, on your scalp, and in your hair.

-Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus. While most people may show few symptoms, 20 percent of people develop a fever along with headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Follow the “three Ds� to protect yourself from mosquitoes: drain standing water; Stay indoors at dusk and dawn; dress in long-sleeves and pants; and use DEET-based mosquito repellent.

-Poison ivy, poison

Invasive weeds, such as the Purple Loosestrife, can out-compete native species.

Ruud Morijn/Fotolia.com

RURAL LIVING oak, and poison sumac can lurk in backyards.

Almost 85 percent of people develop a rash when they come into contact with these weeds.

Control poisonous weeds long-term by carefully digging out the plants while wearing waterproof gloves or treat-

ing with a pesticide.

Defend your local ecosystem by identifying exotic plants in your garden or yard. Spot invasive weeds and insects in your area? Let your county extension office know, which may have a monitoring and management program in place.

13

For more lawn and garden tips, visit www.

DebugTheMyths.com.

By being aware of invasive species and other pests in your area, you can help support native species and a healthy ecosystem in your own backyard and neighborhood.

A s

A A l s

Buckwheat Growers Association of Minnesota Organic & Non-GMO Feed, Seed and more

E A i l N

206 Aldrich Ave SE Wadena MN 56482

E i N

218-631-9212

Fax: 218-631-1711 e-mail: info@buckwheatgrowers.com www.buckwheatgrowers.com

Opening in May!

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Photos by David Samson/The Forum

Left: Warmth is very important for seed germination along with bright light for young seedlings. Right: Small amounts of seeds can be grown in sunny window light of most homes.

Challenges to starting seeds in the home DON KINZLER Forum News Service

I had hip replacement surgery this past week.

Besides sporting a brand new left hip, I scored six new houseplants. Now I’m shuffling around the house with my walker doing houseplant therapy while clutching a watering can. The rehab people even showed me how to go upstairs without falling on my can.

Before entering the hospital, I planted some seeds in our sunny kitchen window. Starting small batches of seed is something everyone can do. It’s fun to watch them develop, and we can save money by raising a few of our own plants. If you’ve tried in the past and been disappointed, let’s try it again, together this time, and address the most common problems.

The overall plan is to

sow the seeds, coax them to germinate (official term for sprout), grow them in the seed tray, and then transplant each seedling into individual pots, cups or cellpacks.

Why not plant the seeds directly into their final packs or pots? Most seeds require specific temperatures to coax germination, which is more easily given to a seed tray than to space-consuming final packs. Transplanting seedlings creates a better plant.

Sinking the stems slightly deeper into the new soil of the final pot reduces legginess.

There are two major challenges to starting seeds in the home. First, most seeds require warm soil between 70 and 80 degrees.

Germination is drastically reduced at lower temperatures. Find a spot that provides extra warmth: next to a heat register, close to the furnace or on top of some

refrigerators. A spot on a sunny windowsill warms nicely during the day, but can become chilly at night.

Enclosing the seed tray in a clear plastic bag helps maintain both warmth and moisture.

The second crucial success factor is light. As soon as tiny seedlings begin to pop the soil surface, the seed tray must be moved to very bright light. This is the most challenging part of growing seeds in the home.

Every attempt to duplicate the light level of a sunny greenhouse will make seedlings stronger. Direct sunlight should fall on the little plants for as many hours as possible. South exposure is best, followed by east and west. North is difficult.

Rotate daily because seedlings will lean toward the light.

A good alternative is artificial lighting from either plant lights or two fluorescent tubes in a shop-type

light fixture. The seedlings must be closer to the light bulbs than we might guess. The light fixture must be adjusted, or the seed tray raised, so that seedlings are only 1 to 2 inches below the bulbs.

Adjust the height as seedlings grow to maintain this close spacing. If the lights emit some warmth, this can be a good germination spot also.

The sure sign that seedlings aren’t receiving enough light is stretched, spindly and weak stems.

This is difficult to remedy once it’s happened; that’s why bright light is crucial immediately when seedlings emerge from the soil.

It’s best not to start seeds too early. Petunia, impatiens, lobelia and fountain grass can be started already. By mid-March, seed flowers like alyssum, dianthus and salvia. Wait until April 1 to start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, mari-

gold, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.

Use Jiffy Mix, Miracle Gro Seeding Mix or one recommended by local greenhouses. Of types available “over the counter,” Jiffy Mix has worked well for me.

Moisten mixes in their bag before using, Seed-starting trays should be at least 2 inches deep. Try recycled foil loaf pans, egg cartons, or sideways milk cartons. Seed trays with handy clear plastic domes are sold.

Use separate trays for each type of seed because they germinate at different rates. Small rectangular trays are easily managed.

Seeds may be broadcast or planted in short rows. Tiny seeds should merely be pressed into the soil surface. Cover larger seeds with a little mix.

Apply warm water gently with a mist bottle, sprinkling can or the kitchen sink rinse attachment set

lightly. Cover with clear plastic wrap or a clear lid to maintain warmth and humidity.

Peek at the seed tray at least twice a day. Most seeds take 7 to 10 days to sprout. Move the container to bright light as soon as seedlings emerge, and remove the cover. They can stretch very quickly, so we mustn’t delay. Continue to grow until seedlings develop a pair of “true” leaves, then transplant into individual packs or pots.

As I’m convalescing from surgery I’m enjoying watching seedlings in our window. If you have any questions or concerns as we grow our seedlings together, please send me an email.

Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, worked as an NDSU Extension horticulturist and owned Kinzler’s Greenhouse in Fargo. Readers can reach him at forumgrowingtogether@hotmail.com.

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What would you ask a farmer?

ELIZABETH HUWE ehuwe@perhamfocus.com Just about everyone knows about Old MacDonald and his collection of animals, but what are farms really like?

What do farmers do?

We asked some students from St. Henry’s Area School in Perham and Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary School to share their questions for farmers, so everyone can learn a little bit about what farmers do.

Meet the farmers: -Jack and Janice Lubitz have farmed together northeast of Perham for 35 years. They have dairy cows and many other types of farm animals.

-John and Treva Mayfield have raised sheep northeast of Perham for about 30 years.

Mason Wiirre

Mason Wiirre, a second grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “How can you milk cows?”

Janice – “There are three main ways to milk a cow.

First, people can milk with their hands, and squeeze the milk out and into a bucket.

Second, a person can put a milking machine on a cow to squeeze out and collect the milk.

The newest way to milk cows is with robots, and those machines do all the work a person used to do.”

Brett Larson

Brett Larson, a second grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “How do you get eggs from chickens?”

Janice – “Chickens make, or lay, eggs all on their own. There are some kinds of chickens that lay more eggs than others.

To get the eggs from the chicken, we just distract her or wait until she leaves the nest so she doesn’t peck.”

Lexie Lupkes

Lexie Lupkes, a second grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “How long do the plants take to grow?”

Janice – “It depends on the type of crops that we planted. Many of our seeds go in the ground in May or June, and are ready to harvest in September or October.

Some crops, like alfalfa, grow quickly and can be harvested several times.

Other crops, like corn, might need to grow from late spring and into the fall.”

Amaya Walker

Amaya Walker, a second grader from Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary School asked: “How do you get animals?”

Janice – “We get farm animals lots of different ways. Sometimes, we get animals as presents. We can also buy animals at an auction or from neighbors.

Also, sometimes mama farm animals will have babies, which we will keep and raise.”

Carter Worden

Carter Worden, a third grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “How do you get grain into the silo?”

Janice – “When putting grain in a storage silo or bin, we use a tool called an auger to lift it up.

We also use a blower machine to get chopped plants, like alfalfa or corn, into big silos to feed to our animals as silage later.”

RURAL LIVING SPRING 2015

Max LaFond

Max LaFond, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What happens to the milk?”

Janice – “Truck drivers come to our farm to pick up our milk and take it to Bongards’, in Perham, to make cheese.”

Emmalee Guck

Emmalee Guck, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What color are baby goats?”

Janice – “Just like people, there are goats with all sorts of colors of hair. Goats can be brown, white, black, tan or cinnamon colored. Some goats even have mixtures of colors – like brown and white, or black and white.”

Olivia Reed

Courtney Poser Ethan Kinn

Ethan Kinn, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What do pigs make on the farm?”

Janice – “Pigs don’t have jobs to do on the farm like some other animals.

Instead, we get meat like bacon, pork chops and ribs from pigs.”

Juliz Franco

Juliz Franco, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What do sheeps eat?”

John Mayfield: “Sheep eat hay and grass, and corn and oats. And, if you train them, they love having a slice of bread or a bagel as a treat.”

Isaac Adams, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What kind of tractor do you use?”

Janice – “We use International Harvester tractors. Ours have to be red.”

Courtney Poser, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “What does the milk get made into?”

Janice – “Our milk is made into cheese. Milk is also turned into butter, yogurt and ice cream.

Of course, some milk is also put into cartons and bottles for drinking!”

Hannah Dosdall

Isaac Adams Eric Benson

Eric Benson, a third grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “How long does rice take to grow?”

Janice – “Oh man, I have no clue! We don’t raise rice.”

Lucey Minten

Stella Hunt

Elise Reuter

Dane Hoban

Olivia Reed, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “Where does sheep’s fur go?”

John Mayfield: “Our sheep’s wool goes to the mills in Bemidji, Minn.”

Hannah Dosdall, a third grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “Why are flies attracted to animals?”

Jack Lubitz – “Flies can smell the animals, and they like that.”

Lucey Minten, Dane Hoban, Elise Reuter and Stella Hunt, kindergarteners from St. Henry’s asked: “How do you milk a cow?”

Janice – “We milk cows the second way. First, we wash the cow’s udder to get it clean, and then put the milker on her teats.”

Isabella Burkman

Samantha Schmitz

Isabella Burkman, a kindergartener from St. Henry’s asked: “Where does the milk go after it comes out of the cow?”

Janice – “After the milker squeezes the milk out of the cow, it goes into a hose and then into a pipe.

That pipe brings all of the cows’ milk to a bulk tank, which cools and stores the milk until the milk truck comes to get it.”

Samantha Schmitz, a third grader from Wadena-Deer Creek asked: “If animals keep getting out, what do you do to come up with a solution?”

Janice – “Well, first we find where the animals get out and then build a stronger fence. Sometimes we add electric fencing, which the animals don’t like to touch if they keep getting out.”

17

18 RURAL LIVING SPRING 2015

Rows of trees, planted in rows with a corn-starch-based plastic as weed barriers, can grow into living snow fences in a matter of years.

Submitted photos

Planting with a purpose: Using trees, shrubs and grasses to stop snow ELIZABETH HUWE ehuwe@perhamfocus.com With winter fading into memory and spring making its first appearances, the last thing many people want to think about is more snow. However, this time of year can be a great time to get trees, shrubs and other plants into the ground with specific goals in mind.

Uses for many plants and trees are comparatively straight-forward: fruit production, lumber, shade or ornamentation. Other times, somewhat unconventional or dual-purpose uses can be found, such as: planting shrubs or trees to act as living snow fences in addition to adding aesthetic appeal and shelter for wildlife.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension Office, living snow fences are live trees, shrubs and/or native grasses that are planted to keep blowing and drifting snow away from targeted areas.

“These fences form a wind barrier that slows the wind, causing the snow to drop in and downwind of the planting, thus protecting the road or property downwind,” explained the extension’s webpage on the topic.

Do you remember that spot where shoveling was quickly undone by snow that drifted back in? Would you in August?

In the spring, memory of where blowing or drifting snow caused the most hassle is fresh in the mind, enabling more effective planning.

Bruce Becker, a Natural Resource Conservation Service district conservationist who works with the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District in Perham, said planning can make all the difference in planting projects.

“We encourage landowners to think a year ahead in case there is site prep that

needs to be done,” Becker said. “The most common mistakes are the land owner is excited to plant trees, can’t wait to get them into the ground, but maybe the ground needs to be prepared properly.”

Without proper preparation, Becker said, projects can result in high tree mortality, wasted time and money and unhappy landowners.

For land with aggressive, long-rooted grass varieties, preparation and breaking up the sod can be a year-long process in itself, Becker said. Younger trees, which don’t have developed root systems yet, can face an uphill battle for water and survival.

The type of shrubs or trees to be planted should also be chosen with soiltype in mind, said Mitch Ness, who is one of the East Otter Tail SWCD planting team’s leaders.

Using soil survey information, which can be done through the conser-

vation district, trees can be grouped by optimal soiltype, Ness said. Similar tools are also available online.

According to the university extension office, “Proper plant selection for a living snow fence is extremely important to insure [sic] an effective, long lasting planting. Plants need to be winter hardy and should be suitable for the climate, site and soils.”

Planting in open country will also have different goals and challenges compared to in town.

In tightly-grouped areas, a defining factor is the space available.

For the smaller, tighter confines of town lots, Becker and Ness recommended looking for shrubs that: -have low, dense growth habits, -are less than 8 feet tall, -can be planted 3-4 feet apart, -and are prunable, to form hedges.

No matter where planting is being done, Becker advised landowners to keep the following tips in mind when planning a project.

-Always call 811 before digging, to get underground utilities such as: sewer, water and fiber optic lines marked out. Plant away from these.

-Look up, and avoid planting under or next to overhead power lines.

-Leave a 20-40 foot open zone between trees and buildings.

-Consider options that can provide food or shelter for wildlife and native species.

-Don’t know what to do? Ask! Expert staff from the SWCD can give advice, do site preparation, draft plans and more.

-Always accommodate for growth.

RURAL LIVING SPRING 2015

Becker said the number of rows to plant depends mostly on the amount of wind and the direction it comes from.

“In a perfect world, you’d have at least 50 feet between the area that you’re going to protect and your first row,” Becker said.

“That allows for an area to deposit snow, but a lot of folks in town aren’t going to have that. So then, it becomes more of a function of where property lines are, that type of thing.”

When planting in an open, rural area, options shift dramatically.

Becker said he typically recommends using an area up to 200 feet wide for a good snow catch, with two to three rows of shrubs, planted strategically to create spacing.

At least a 30-foot buffer area should be allowed between new plantings and existing woods, he said.

For larger areas, the extension office recommended selecting plants that will

grow to be six-12 feet tall when mature.

Native long-season prairie grasses can be planted in between rows, Becker said, to provide wildlife benefits and provide additional snow catching capacity.

The most important part is to design the area so snow isn’t being dumped on the area that is supposed to be protected, Ness said.

“We get landowners that just love trees, are enthused about a new property and a planting a whole yard full of trees,” Becker said. “But… I think the thing they don’t think about is, in 20 years how are these going to be?”

“Don’t rush, it’s a lifetime investment,” Ness said. Just be excited about the projects and give the program some time, The East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District office is located at 801 Jenny Ave. SW in Perham. Call (218) 346-4260 with questions or for more information.

For more from the

University of Minnesota Extension Office, visit the following websites: - www.ex tension.umn. edu/environment/agroforestry - http://www.extension. umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees- shrubs/recommended-trees-for-minnesota/northwest-central/ Perham Focus Sports Editor Jason Groth contributed to this article.

19

Submitted photos

Bio-degradable plastic sleeves that are 4-5 feet tall can also be used to protect young trees from becoming food for deer and rodents. Small trees can be chewed off and killed by grazing wildlife. The trees shown were 18 inches tall when planted in the spring, and were emerging from the tubes by August, said Bruce Becker, a Natural Resource Conservation Service District Conservationist in East Otter Tail County.

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Is your yard wildlife-friendly?

Being a good neighbor means more than being friendly to the humans across the street, it also means being friendly to the animals in your yard.

Making your yard a safe place for local wildlife should be a top lawn care priority.

With that in mind, here are some tips for creating a healthy habitat for local critters.

Be a valuable rest stop Stock your garden with small native species of trees, shrubs and flowers to give wildlife needed nourishment, as well as cover from predators.

A source of water can also be a great resource for visiting fauna. Whether it’s a pond or a bird bath,

be sure this zone is wellmaintained so you don’t inadvertently create a haven for unwanted species.

In the warmer months, when mosquitoes are most active, you should change the bird bath water frequently.

Promote safety A bird feeder in your backyard, full of seeds, will be the perfect invitation for beautiful migrating and local birds to stop by.

Just be sure your property is safe for birds.

Unfortunately, birds don’t see clear glass. As a result, millions of birds die every year by striking glass. Don’t let your sliding glass doors or other windows become a death trap for birds.

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“Wildlife can beautify your garden and be a sign that your yard is healthy” says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert.

“But birds and other wildlife need food, shelter, and safety.”

Get out the binoculars!

With a few small actions, you can make your yard or garden a wildlife refuge.

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Planting preparations underway in region It wouldn’t be the first time in history, but farmers and their advisers say it will be unusual if farmers start planting in March.

Dave Franzen, a North Dakota State University Extension Service soil scientist in Fargo, says there is likely to be some early tillage and possibly some planting before the end of the March, even though it’s unusual. Many farmers got some fall fertilizer applications on, but some held back because of wet weather and some were simply combining until late fall.

“Around here, people have been leery of fall-applying nitrogen because of some of the nitrogen losses in the past few years,” Franzen says.

In high-clay or sandy

soils, Franzen knows of farmers who had 130 pounds per acre of residual fertilizer at the end of April, but very little at the beginning of June, after increased rainfall in May. Franzen says last year, the spring planting and fertilizer application period was compressed. If it is longer, farmers can take their pick among nitrogen options.

“If it’s short, they may not take time to put on ammonia,” he says.

Less nitrogen Lower commodity prices also will affect the amount of nitrogen farmers will apply when they actually get started.

NDSU’s computer-assisted cropping decision-making tools are affected both by the economics of crop prices and by desired yield potential. The lower com-

Photo by Mikkel Pates/Forum News Service

Anhydrous ammonia tanks stand, poised for action for 2015 cropping. That form of nitrogen fertilizer might cost more than other forms of fertilizer this year because inventories of the fertilizer were made when petroleum prices were higher, last year. Photo taken Dec. 15, 2014, at Finley, N.D.

modity prices will mostly affect application rates on wheat and corn.

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guy who was out picking rocks,” says Wes Gackle, a farmer and farm equipment salesman in Kulm, N.D. “It’s not going to take long with this weather.”

Gackle remembers a season in the past decade when farmers were able to seed in March.

“They got some of the best wheat we’ve ever had,” he says.

He even remembers a time in the 1970s when wheat seeding started as early as February in the Wahpeton, N.D., area.

“It was so dry that year, and it stayed dry until late spring,” Gackle says. “It’s a bit risky, but then the seed costs weren’t so high back then.”

Mikkel Pates is a staff writer for Agweek. To subscribe to the weekly agriculture magazine, call (800) 811-2580 or email subscriptions@agweek.com.

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protein variety going in,” Franzen says, adding that last year, the economics favored yield, not the protein potential.

Franzen expects farmers to shift as much as possible to soybeans — a crop that manufacturers its own nitrogen from the atmosphere and through its root nodules. Corn and wheat don’t have that capability.

Those crops get their nutrition either from mineralization of nitrogen in the soil or from added fertilizer. A corn crop requires about 250 to 300 pounds of nitrogen per acre, of which about 10 pounds might come from rain and snow.

The rest has to be applied by farmers or mineralized from the soil and crop residue.

Farmers are starting to get antsy about getting into the fields.

“I already talked to one

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23

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House committee approves bill that would forbid nuisance lawsuits DON DAVIS Forum News Service Operators of large livestock production operations say they face uncertainty because of potential unfounded nuisance lawsuits, but Aimee Goodwin claims her family was harmed by an unresponsive hog-raising neighbor and lawsuits should be allowed.

After a debate between feedlot and animal confinement supporters and opponents on March 17, a Minnesota House committee approved 6-4 a bill that would forbid many nuisance lawsuits against large livestock operations.

A similar law reducing the risk of small farmers facing lawsuits has been on the books since 1982, bill sponsor Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, said.

Anderson said his legislation is an extension of current law as farm operations grow. It would reduce the chance of facing lawsuits, an uncertainty livestock producers said hampers their businesses.

Large livestock farmers have adequate staffs to fix pollution and other issues, Anderson said. “They have the ability to do things right.”

Much of the debate centered on a Todd County hog operation, about 4 miles from Lake Osakis, that faces a lawsuit. The owners, Gourley Brothers of Webster City, Iowa, are fighting allegations that their operation pollutes groundwater.

They also are accused of producing too much odor.

That was Aimee Goodwin’s complaint. She and her family lived near the facility until her youngest son, who has asthma, suffered what she said was an adverse reaction to pollution from the facility.

“His lips turned blue,” she said, adding that “it is a horrible thing to see the terror in your son’s eyes.”

Goodwin said her family moved away from the hog facility and her family’s health improved.

City and township officials said Anderson’s bill would limit their ability to bring nuisance claims against large farm operations. Environmentalists also oppose the bill.

Anderson’s legislation would not affect lawsuits already in the courts, such as the Todd County fight.

But a series of witnesses connected to it testified in favor of the bill.

“I can stay in Todd County and really support my community,” Molly Campbell said about her job, echoing others who said livestock facilities are good for local economies because they provide work for residents who otherwise might move away.

Bron Scherer of Protein Sources said his company manages the Todd County facility and it “will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars” fighting the court action.

Rep. John Lesch, D-St. Paul, opposed giving farmers freedom from many lawsuits. “I don’t know why ag should receive this benefit.”

Anderson’s bill does not give farmers totally lawsuit immunity. It would allow suits when there is “measurable adverse impact.”

But opponents said that phrase is not defined, leaving it open for interpretation.

Anderson said a case like the Goodwin family’s medical problem could result in a lawsuit.

The bill faces more committee stops before reaching a full House vote. A similar Senate bill, sponsored by three southern Minnesota Republican senators, awaits its first hearing.

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