Ambassador retreat filled with positivity

from Benton Ag - February 4, 2023

by Star Publications

Letters to a farm friend

Post-it notes to paint, 4-H’ers prepare for season

BY ANN OLSON UNIVERSITY OF MN EXTENSION

Travis Boyle wants people to focus on the positive.

“Leaving positive words on a sticky note on a Post-it, just a small note like that can have an impact on a person’s day or even their life,” said 4-H Ambassador Boyle, a senior at Foley High School and member of the Green Acres 4-H Club.

The Benton County 4-H Ambassador Retreat took place Jan. 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Foley. The event is aimed at building up 4-H ambassadors and preparing for the year’s events.

Twenty-three ambassadors and three 4-H adult volunteers spent the day together playing creative games, planning, learning and painting their own masterpieces.

The ambassadors started the retreat, watching a video about making positivity stick. It shared the idea of a simple note of encouragement.

“It’s awesome something as simple as one sticky note can make someone’s day,” Holly Heinen said.

Heinen, a freshman who lives in St. Joseph, is a St. Pat’s 4-H Club member.

One event the group planned is the lock in for third through sixth grade students. The “Get Obsessed – Exploring Hobbies” event takes place 3-8 p.m. March 10 in Foley.

“I am looking forward to sharing with the youth why hobbies are so important to have,” Boyle said. “Helping kids nd hobbies they enjoy will build their selfesteem and con dence. I look forward to bringing this to the younger kids.”

The ambassadors also worked on planning for an adult volunteer appreciation meal, project adventure day and summer day camp themes.

The day was wrapped up with a painting class led by 4-H adult volunteer Amy Kleine of Sauk Rapids. The ambassadors were led step by step in the area of painting, which was outside most of their comfort zones. The painting opportunity gave the youth a chance to relax and develop a new hobby.

TK Timber

Apple Tree Pruning Workshop

The University of Minnesota will be offering a free workshop from 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Milk and Honey Ciders, 11738 County Road 51, St. Joseph. The workshops will provide guidance on proper pruning methods and focus on the hands-on practice of pruning trees at apple orchards. These workshops will be useful for homeowners, gardeners, Master Gardener volunteers and orchardists of all experience levels.

Pruning apple trees properly is important to optimize fruit growth and ease of harvest. Extension educators Anthony Adams, Quincy Sadowski and Annie Klodd will lead participants through the considerations and techniques for proper pruning.

Participation will involve being outdoors and using pruning shears and loppers, so attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and activities involved.

Each workshop is limited to 25 participants. Registration is required at z.umn.edu/ applepruning2023.

For questions or assistance, contact Dana Adams at 320-255-6169, ext. 6, or Sadowski at 320-255-6160, ext. 3.

Gardening from the Ground Up

Free virtual workshops Feb. 20-24 will focus on trees and shrubs in the home landscape. The daily sessions take place from 1-2:30 p.m.

Participants can register to receive access to all five sessions at z.umn.edu/gardenup. Recordings will be emailed following the conclusion of the series.

Monday, Feb. 20 – “Establishing resilient tree and shrub plantings.” Extension educators Katie Drewitz and Quincy Sadowski will share insight on preferred soil types for tree varieties, planting considerations and mistakes to avoid.

Tuesday, Feb. 21 – “Managing pests of trees and shrubs.” Extension educators Emily Hansen and Claire LaCanne will talk about managing pests by addressing overall tree health and using principles of integrated pest management.

Wednesday, Feb. 22 – “Growing healthy fruit trees and shrubs.” Extension educators Troy Salzer and Tarah Young explore management techniques for woody perennial fruit. The session will discuss varietal selection, pruning, mulching, fertilizing, wildlife management, irrigation and harvest techniques.

Thursday, Feb. 23 – “Managing invasive species in woodlands.” Extension educators Robin Trott and Shane Bugeja will talk about identifying, reporting and controlling invasive plants that damage Minnesota forests.

Friday, Feb. 24 – “Confronting common conifer concerns.” Extension educators Shane Bugeja and Katie Drewitz will discuss problems and tips of evergreens.