Calendar of Events

July 11 — Meeker County Garden Tour — Litchfield, Minn. — This year’s lineup consists of five gardens in the Litchfield area that will highlight gardening techniques, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and the story behind each location’s inspiration. Contact the Meeker County Extension office at (320) 693-5275.

July 12 — Soil Health Field Day — Grove City, Minn. — Different soil management topics will be covered including interseeding, adding cover crops to a rotation, and the importance of soil structure. Contact Taylor Herbert at therbert@umn.edu or (612) 3945229.

July 12-13 — Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Certification — Zumbrota, Minn. — This training teaches youth 14 years and older about safe equipment operation and general farm safety. An online course (approximately 8 to 10 hours in length) must be completed prior to attending the twoday in-person training. Contact Emily Krekelberg at krek0033@umn.edu or (612) 756-3977.

Additional Dates and Locations:

July 19-20 — Ada, Minn.

July 24-25 — Pine City, Minn.

Aug. 1-2 — Rushford, Minn.

July 12-15 — Pipestone Lamb and Wool Sheep for Profit School — Pipestone, Minn. — The purpose of the school is to improve sheep management skills, increase profitability and form business relationships. The school will combine lecture, group discussion and visits to Pipestone area sheep operations. Contact the Pipestone Lamb and Wool Management Program at melinda.lamote@mnwest. edu or (800) 658-2330.

July 13 — Kernza Field Day — Madison, Minn. — This is an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and connect with experienced Kernza growers and researchers who have been advancing the breeding, production and marketing of the nation’s first perennial grain. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kernza-field-day-a-framefarm-tickets-156553282081,

July 13 — Land Stewardship Project Pasture Walk — Dorchester, Iowa See and discuss set-ups for portable fencing and above-ground water, pasture management. For more information, visit https://landstewardshipproject.org/upcoming-events/.

July 15 — Foraging and Edible Landscapes with Beargrease Botanicals — Sturgeon Lake, Minn. — This field day will include a foraging walk, a tour of a no-till market garden and edible landscaping, and insights on operating an at-home farm stand. Visit the following website for more information: https://marbleseed.salsalabs.org/marbleseed-changemakerfield-day/.

July 17-18 — MSCA Summer Beef Tour and Trade Show — Slayton, Minn. — The quarterly board meeting of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association will be on July 17, followed by the annual Political Action Committee fundraiser. The tour and trade show will take place on July 18 with this year’s tour beginning in Pipestone, Minn. Contact Angie Ford at (507) 360-7937 or Glenn Johnson at (507) 820-1502.

July 19 — Managing Heat Stress from an Animal Welfare Perspective Webinar— Online — As part of ISU’s Dairy Team’s 2023 Dairy Webinar Series, Dr. Jennifer Van Os will discuss heat stress in dairy cows and calves, including recognizing how cattle communicate they need help beating the heat. Contact Fred Hall at fredhall@ iastate.edu or (712) 737-4230.

July 19 — Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day — Spencer, Iowa — The topic will be Relay Cropping, Permanent Clover and Irrigation Systems in Northwest Iowa. The event will be hosted by Patrick White & Chuck White. For more information, please visit practicalfarmers.org/field-days.

July 19 — Soil Health Workshop — Faribault, Minn. — The workshop will feature soil scientist Liz Haney, codeveloper of the Haney Soil Test, and Minnesota farmers will share their experiences with cover cropping and reduced tillage. Contact Alan Kraus at alan@cleanriverpartners.org or (715) 897-1646.