Farm, Garden & Outdoors calendar published Nov. 19, 2022
Nov. 19—Farmland rental: Rates are the largest input cost the farmer has. Determining a fair farm rent agreement is always challenging. Both in-person and webinar sessions will be held this year. Attendees will receive several informative worksheets and fact sheets that will help to determine what a fair 2023 farmland rental rate is. The meetings set for this area are:
* Hutchinson: Nov. 29, 1:30 p.m., McLeod County Extension Office
* Litchfield: Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m., Meeker County Fairgrounds, Extension office
* Willmar: Dec. 15, 9:30 a.m., Mid-Central Research & Outreach Center
* Willmar webinar: Jan. 12, 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Zoom presentation
* Hutchinson webinar: Jan. 26, 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Zoom presentation
More information including location addresses and additional dates available at
Farm transfer planning mini workshop: Dec. 3, 8 to 11:30 a.m., Willmar Education and Arts Center rehearsal hall, Willmar. For ages 25 and older, $75 per farm owner, with instructors Samantha Nelson, David Nelson and Mark Santelman. Register at Willmar Community Education at
tce.me/i772Gc
. Workshop is for current farm owners preparing to embark on the farm transfer process. It is focused on clarifying your personal goals to ensure a healthy legacy for your farm, and you will leave with a clearly defined legacy statement, goals for the future of your farm and a prioritized to-do list to guide you through the next steps of your farm transfer process. The instructors will guide a farm transfer planning experience for farm owners three to five years away from retirement to fairly, legally and safely transition their legacy and assets to the next generation. This workshop can be followed up by personal meetings with the facilitation team as well as a longer, more in-depth weekend workshop in March 2023.
2022 Soil Management Summit: Dec. 15-16, St. Cloud, $125 early bird rate for farmers, $180 after Nov. 30. Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District has two scholarships of 50% of registration fees for farmers in Kandiyohi County; first come, first served. Cultivating soil productivity and health emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren't necessarily the challenge they're made out to be. Hear from longtime no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons. Additional topics will include managing controlled traffic, Kernza production, planting green, insect management, planter settings, farm economics, and more. There will be presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisers, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices with opportunities to interact with experienced producers and researchers. Break-out sessions provide presentations from researchers and practitioners. Table talk discussions give you a chance to ask questions of practitioners and specialists and panels of farmers and agronomists will share their practical experiences. Those who attend the entire conference will be offered certified crop adviser continuing education units for a fee.
Let's Propagate Plants: Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Jefferson Learning Center. For ages 16 and up with instructor Pam Vruwink at a fee of $10 per session. Register at Willmar Community Education. Looking to expand your indoor plant collection? Create new plants from existing plants. In this hands-on class, we will propagate plants (without seeds) by taking fresh cuttings from houseplants and plant cuttings with established root growth. Course fee includes plant cuttings, growing medium and containers. The Dec. 1 class will be with Monstera Adansoii, aka "swiss cheese vine."
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
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* Owl pellets: Nov. 19, 1 to 2 p.m., and Nov. 25, 2 to 3 p.m., at the Interpretive Center. Do you know what an owl's favorite food is? Find out by exploring the clues they leave behind in their pellets.
* Prairie hunters: Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to noon, at the Interpretive Center. Life as a wild coyote can be tough. Try your luck at being a coyote as we play a fun game and explore what affects the survival of a coyote. Planned with ages 6-10 in mind, but all are welcome to participate.
* Autumn morning hike: Nov. 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Interpretive Center. Hike the Pondview Interpretive Trail, a 0.7-mile loop with a maximum 7% grade for 190 feet. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
* Park closed: Nov. 26-27, park is closed to the public due to the muzzleloader deer hunt.
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
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