Farm, Garden & Outdoors calendar published Oct. 16, 2021

Donna Middleton, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·2 min read

Oct. 17—Farming

Suicide Prevention: Oct. 19 or Dec. 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m., free, online. NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a suicide prevention class tailored to farming communities. Called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for Agricultural Communities, the program helps individuals learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent a suicide. It is for members of rural and agricultural communities over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. To register, see "Classes" at namimn.org. For more information, call 651-645-2948.

Gardening

Selecting Daylilies: Oct. 20, noon to 1 p.m., AgCountry Auditorium, University of Minnesota's West Central Research and Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy. 329 in Morris. Sara Thronsedt has been a gardener for more than 45 years. In 2012, she became an Extension Master Gardener and currently serves on the Horticulture Display Garden Advisory Committee. Her passions are educating gardeners and growing her own perennials and vegetables and is most proud of her half-acre restored native prairie. This "Come Grow with Us" class is free, but donations are accepted. Registration is required upon arrival. Masks required when indoors at any University of Minnesota facility, regardless of vaccination status. More information at wcroc.cfans.umn.edu or 320-589-1711.

Dykstras: Bill and Helene Dykstra will have their garden open from noon until dark daily until frost. Freewill donations for Guatemala will be accepted. Take Kandiyohi County Road 5 south of Roseland for one mile, go east on 210th Avenue and turn south on 37th Street.

Outdoors

Sibley State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and is available online. Sibley State Park is west of New London just off U.S. Highway 71. For more information, visit the state Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center: Trails at the rural Spicer center may be used during daylight hours at no cost. A bathroom with composting toilets is open by the pavilion. Pets should be on a leash. All equipment rentals (fat-tire bikes, kayaks, canoes) will be handled on a reservation basis, made at least 24 hours in advance. To reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon Friday. Two-hour equipment rental is $20 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for all youth. Call 320-354-5894.

Upcoming events include the following:

* Pioneer crafts: Oct. 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m., grades 15, $6, advance registration required. Dress as a pioneer and make several different crafts. Learn which crafts would be done for fun (corn husk dolls, buzz saws) and which ones would be done for necessity (dipping candles, sewing) and take home what you make; meet at the Pioneer Cabin on the Farm Site.